Neonatal coning secondary to hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy: A case study and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Brain herniation is an extremely rare complication of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in the neonatal period with only a single report described. We report a 2-day-old term infant with severe HIE, who developed diffuse brain oedema and herniation. CASE PRESENTATION AND DESCRIPTION: A term female infant delivered by vacuum, required therapeutic hypothermia for severe encephalopathy. At 36 hours of age, a marked change in neurological status was noted with signs of brainstem involvement. A head Computed Tomography Scan showed uncal and tonsillar herniation. CONCLUSION: Vigilance in monitoring neonatal neurological status during therapeutic hypothermia is imperative for early brain herniation detection.

Coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections in a neonatal intensive care unit: In vivo response to cloxacillin.

BACKGROUND: Following the introduction of cloxacillin and gentamicin as the first line of treatment for possible late-onset sepsis (LOS) in the authors' neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), it was subsequently noted that very low birth weight (VLBW) infants improved clinically, despite subsequently positive blood cultures for oxacillin-resistant, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CONS). The results of the management of VLBW infants with CONS sepsis during one calendar year, based on clinical rather than laboratory findings, are presented. METHODS: VLBW infants with LOS were identified through the neonatal database, and the charts of those with CONS were reviewed for antibiotic usage, antibiotic resistance pattern, clearance of CONS from the blood and NICU discharge status. Oxacillin sensitivity was determined by the presence of the mecA gene. RESULTS: From January 1 to December 31, 2002, 27 VLBW infants, treated in the authors' NICU for LOS due to CONS, were identified. The mean age of LOS infants with CONS was 15 days (median 12 days; range three to 54 days), the mean birth weight (+/- SD) was 904+/-247 g, and the mean gestational age at birth (+/- SD) was 27+/-2 weeks. All infants were started on cloxacillin and gentamicin, and improved clinically over the first 48 h. Six isolates were sensitive to cloxacillin. Twenty-three infants grew oxacillin-resistant CONS, eight of whom had persistence of CONS on repeat culture secondary to central lines. Two infants grew two strains of CONS. Eighteen of 22 infants (82%) with in vitro oxacillin-resistant CONS had clearance of bacteremia with cloxacillin and gentamicin. Ten infants (37%) received vancomycin, based on the authors' guidelines. There were no cases of prolonged bacteremia requiring rifampicin. Three infants died, but none of the deaths could be attributed to CONS. DISCUSSION: The authors describe clinical improvement with clearance of CONS using cloxacillin and gentamicin, despite laboratory results suggesting oxacillin resistance. The authors' unit policy was based on clinical response and permitted the continuation of cloxacillin, provided that a repeat blood culture was negative. Vancomycin use was suggested for clinical deterioration or persistence of CONS. These results question the in vitro tests of resistance. Clearance of oxacillin-resistant CONS from the blood points to in vivo sensitivity, while the laboratory testing suggests in vitro resistance. The absence of subsequent positive blood cultures for CONS confirms clearance of this organism. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that cloxacillin (150 mg/kg/day dose), along with gentamicin, can clear CONS from the blood within 48 h. The relationship between in vivo and in vitro sensitivities also needs to be further studied both in the laboratory and in a prospective trial.

Handwriting performance on the ETCH-M of students in a grade one regular education program.

This nonexperimental correlational study describes handwriting performance in 69 typically developing first graders (mean age = 82.0 months +/-3.6) using the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting- Manuscript. The relationship between handwriting and specific sensorimotor components was also examined and revealed modest associations (r = 0.32-0.40; p < 0.05). Mean legibility scores ranged from 68% to 87% with wide variability in speed. Boys demonstrated significantly lower mean legibility scores compared with girls. Teacher rating of handwriting and the ETCH-M scores were modestly correlated (r =-0.37 to -43; p < 0.01). Handwriting predictors included in-hand manipulation, visual motor control, upper limb speed, dexterity, and steadiness. The factors contributing to legible handwriting are multifactorial and complex. The results have implications for identification of students in first grade whose handwriting is below age expectations.

Elevated carbon dioxide tension as a predictor of subsequent adverse events in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are at risk for numerous complications following discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Few studies have evaluated risk factors for adverse events (AE). This retrospective study provided an initial evaluation of the use of capillary carbon dioxide (PCO2) tension as a predictor of infants with BPD at increased risk for AE. PCO2 was compared in patients who suffered, or avoided, severe AE, defined as pulmonary hypertension, death, or subsequent reintubation or tracheostomy for respiratory illness. One hundred twelve consecutive patients followed at the BPD clinic were evaluated, and data from 104 subjects were suitable for analysis. Mean PCO2, obtained shortly before or after discharge from NICU, was 47.2 mmHg (range, 31-83). PCO2 was significantly higher in patients who required reintubation and ventilation (54.7 vs. 46.7, p < 0.04). No cutoff value of PCO2 clearly distinguished patients with subsequent AE. PCO2 was not significantly higher in the group of patients who had a severe AE than in the group of patients who did not have a severe AE, but logistic regression showed a significant association between PCO2 and risk of both severe AE (p = 0.018), and readmission to hospital (p = 0.038). An elevated PCO2 is associated with an increased risk of AE, including reintubation, and readmission to hospital, in infants with BPD. Patients with an elevated discharge PCO2 may require closer monitoring during followup. Prospective studies will be needed to confirm these observations.

Handwriting performance in preterm children compared with term peers at age 6 to 7 years.

Preterm infants are at high risk for developmental impairments at school age. However, the impact of these impairments on important life skills, such as handwriting, is unknown. Forty-eight first-grade children (27 males, 21 females; mean age 6y 7mo, SD 3.9mo; range 6y 1mo to 7y 3mo) born preterm (birthweight < 1250g; gestational age < 34wks), without major physical or cognitive disabilities, were matched to 69 healthy, term control children (32 males, 37 females; mean age 6y 10mo, SD 3.6mo; range 6y 3mo to 7y 4mo) by sex and school class. All children were assessed using the Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting-Manuscript and several sensorimotor measures. Preterm children demonstrated significantly lower legibility and slower speed scores (p < 0.01) compared with control children for most of the handwriting tasks. Factors associated with legibility were visual perception and eye-hand coordination (r < 0.50; p < 0.05) and sex (r < 0.12; p = 0.01). In-hand manipulation and finger identification (r < 0.43; p < 0.01) were significantly correlated with slow handwriting speeds. Behaviour difficulties associated with hyperactivity and poor attention (Connors Abbreviated Symptoms Questionnaire) had a confounding influence on both legibility and speed. These findings may help guide early identification efforts and medical/therapeutic interventions for preterm children.

Congenital myotonic dystrophy: assisted ventilation duration and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between initial assisted ventilation duration and outcome for patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM). METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of cases of CDM that presented to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) between 1980 and 2000. Inclusion criteria were conclusive testing for CDM and clinical presentation in the first 30 days of life. Duration of assisted ventilation, morbidity, mortality, and developmental outcome were measured. RESULTS: A total of 23 children met the inclusion criteria. One child died at 5 days of age, and 2 others had withdrawal of ventilation. The remaining 20 children were divided into 2 groups on the basis of whether they needed > or <30 days of ventilation. In the first year of life, 25% mortality was noted in the children with prolonged ventilation, whereas no child in the short ventilation duration group died. After 1 year of age, 1 child in each group died with follow-up of 2 to 16 years. The children with prolonged ventilation needed more hospitalizations. Delays were noted in development in both groups of children at ages 1, 3, and 6 years; however, there was an improvement in motor and language scores over time in all children. Children who required ventilation for <30 days had better motor, language, and activities of daily living scores at all ages. CONCLUSIONS: Children with CDM with prolonged ventilation experienced 25% mortality in the first year. The use of a specific time period of ventilation to decide on withdrawal of therapy must be reconsidered given these findings. Prolonged ventilation was followed by greater morbidity and developmental delay than children with shorter ventilation duration.