Bacteriological profile of neonatal sepsis in a tertiary-care hospital of Northern India.

With an objective to study the bacteriological profile of neonatal sepsis a retrospective study was conducted in the neonatal unit of a referral teaching hospital in Northern India. Among neonates born over 5-year period (n=22363) incidence of culture-positive sepsis was 7.5/1000 live births (7.5%). Staphylococcus aureus (47.3%), Klebsiella pneumonia (14.9%) and Acinetobacter (14.9%) were most common organisms isolated. Sensitivity pattern of isolated organisms is presented.

Symptomatic hypoglycemia causing brain injury in a term breast fed newborn following early discharge.

Cerebral metabolism and functioning depends upon an adequate blood glucose supply which provides for majority of the brain's energy requirement. Studies from the past have shown that neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with acute and long term neurological sequelae. Early discharge without adequately established breast feeding may lead to feeding problems, post discharge hypoglycemia and its associated neurological complications. The authors describe one such case of an exclusively breast fed term newborn who presented on day 3 with symptomatic hypoglycemia and associated neurological injury.

Effect of high-dose phenobarbital on oxidative stress in perinatal asphyxia: an open label randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of high dose phenobarbital on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in perinatal asphyxia. DESIGN: Open label, Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 72 full term inborn neonates with severe birth asphyxia. METHODS: Neonates were randomized to Study (phenobarbital) group and Control group. The infants in the study group received phenobarbital infusion (40 mg/kg) within first two hours of life while babies in the control group did not receive any phenobarbital. Rest of the management in both the groups was as per the unit protocol for the management of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. A cerebrospinal fluid examination was done at 12 ± 2 hours of life to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidise and malonyldialdehyde. 60 neonates were followed up at 1 month of age when a detailed neurological examination was done. RESULTS: Four neonates in the study group and six neonates in the control group died during the study. Two neonates in the study group were lost to follow up. The cerebrospinal fluid lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes were significantly lower in the phenobarbital group as compared to the control group. The neurological outcome at one month follow up was found to be comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Phenobarbital (40 mg/kg) given in the first two hours of life in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia led to a decrease in CSF levels of lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzymes at 12 ± 2 hours of life.

Effect of membrane configuration on bench-scale MF and UF fouling experiments.

Hollow fiber and flat sheet membranes were compared in side-by-side bench-scale experiments to evaluate whether the configuration has an impact on the rate of membrane fouling. Both microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were evaluated. In general, flat sheet membranes fouled more rapidly than hollow fiber membranes. Pretreatment such as coagulation generally affected both configurations similarly, but in some cases coagulation reduced fouling on hollow fiber membranes but increased fouling on flat sheet membranes. Prefiltration to remove foulants above 1microm in size had a consistent effect on both configurations. A bench-scale apparatus employing a single-fiber module that allows testing over multiple filter runs with integral backwashing capabilities was demonstrated to provide more detailed information about fouling, which can be applied to full-scale applications. When bench-scale tests are to be used to screen treatment options for full-scale applications, the use of a backwashable hollow fiber system is recommended.

Effect of coagulation on the size of MF and UF membrane foulants.

Microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) have become common water treatment technologies for the removal of particles from natural waters. Many water utilities are now integrating MF/UF with other treatment processes to provide treatment for nonparticulate contaminants. Research is needed to understand the impact that other processes have on MF/UF performance. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between water quality, coagulation, and membrane fouling. The study examined the fouling of MF/UF membranes by natural waters with and without coagulation by specific fractions of constituents in natural water, separated by size. This research found thatthe component of natural organic matter (NOM) smaller than 100 kDa contributes relatively little to fouling during filtration of either raw or coagulated water. The fraction between 1 microm and 100 kDa contributes a significant portion of the fouling. After coagulation pretreatment, fouling due to various size fractions in the feedwater can change.