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Biomedical subjects

S S Lathrop

Publications and source records attributed to S S Lathrop.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Partial exchange transfusion in term, polycythemic neonates: absence of association with severe gastrointestinal injury.

Partial exchange transfusion is often used to treat neonatal polycythemia. Concern about the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis following the procedure has recently been raised. We report a retrospective analysis of 185 term, polycythemic neonates who received partial exchange transfusion. No evidence of severe gastrointestinal injury was found. The technique for partial exchange transfusion we report consists of removal of blood from the umbilical vein with reinfusion of a commercial plasma substitute through a peripheral vein. Based on our data and a literature review, we offer suggestions for future conduct of partial exchange transfusion in polycythemic neonates.

Gastrointestinal Diseases

The changing pattern of neonatal mortality in a regionalized system of perinatal care.

Neonatal deaths in Iowa were reviewed for the years 1982 and 1983. As in a similar review of deaths in 1978 and 1979, respiratory distress syndrome, bacterial sepsis, asphyxia, lethal malformations, and extreme immaturity accounted for approximately 90% of deaths. Fewer deaths occurred in 1982 and 1983 and the causes of death shifted toward the nonpreventable. Lethal malformations became the leading cause of death and showed an increased incidence over the previous period. The greatest reduction of deaths was in level 1 hospitals. Ability to effect further reduction in neonatal deaths was estimated by calculation of an idealized neonatal mortality rate for the state and each level of care. These calculations suggest that future reduction in mortality must come primarily from improved care in level 2 and 3 centers rather than from further change in level 1 provider behavior.

Asphyxia Neonatorum

Comparing perinatal mortality.

Comparisons of perinatal outcome data among regions or hospitals can be misleading if the risk status of the population served is not considered. Data are presented from two large perinatal centers (Medical Center Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, Iowa), which report substantially different institutional neonatal and fetal mortality rates. However, examination of neonatal and fetal mortality by birth weight groupings demonstrates the difference between outcome in the two hospitals to be considerably less than the overall rates might imply. Additional data about the regionalized system of care in Iowa are presented to illustrate why mortality may rise in a referral center and yet be consistent with a salutary effect on perinatal outcome in the region.

Birth Weight