Larger head circumference in Icelandic children 0-4 years of age compared to the World Health Organization and Swedish growth charts.

AIM: The World Health Organization (WHO) published universal growth standards for children below five year of age in 2006. Traditionally, Swedish growth references have been used to monitor growth of children in Iceland, but it is not yet known how they compare with these reference charts. METHODS: A total of 2128 longitudinal measurements of length or height, 2132 of weight and 2126 of head circumference between birth and four years of age were collected in 1996-2000 from 199 healthy children (53% boys) recruited at Landspitali University Hospital. Measurements were converted to z-scores using the WHO growth standards and Swedish growth references for further analysis with mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Length or height, weight and in particular head circumference largely exceeded the WHO standards, with average z-scores that fluctuated between 0.5 and 1.5. Likewise, the proportion of children with a z-score larger than 2 SD increased about 10-fold. Icelandic children were longer and heavier than their Swedish peers during the first six months of life, but differences were less pronounced thereafter. CONCLUSION: The growth of Icelandic children deviated significantly from the WHO growth standards. Although more comparable to the Swedish references, significant differences were found, suggesting that a national growth reference would be more appropriate.

Disabilities and health of extremely low-birthweight teenagers: a population-based study.

AIM: Evaluation of long-term outcome of extremely low-birthweight (ELBW) teenagers born in Iceland in 1991-1995. METHOD: Participants, 30 of 35 ELBW survivors and 30 full term control teenagers (14-19 years), were assessed for disabilities, health problems and learning difficulties. Results of national standardized tests in mathematics and Icelandic language were compared with results of neurodevelopmental assessment at 5 years of age. RESULTS: A quarter of the ELBW teenagers had disabilities. All were initially diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders early in life and neurosensory and/or intellectual disabilities were confirmed later in childhood. Chronic lung disorders, neurological problems and psychiatric disorders were most common health problems. Growth parameters were within normal limits for most of the ELBW teenagers. Learning difficulties affected 57% of the ELBW teenagers, 20% attended special education classes and 37% required special teaching. Results of national standardized tests were significantly lower for ELBW survivors and were significantly related to the results of neurodevelopmental assessment at 5 years of age. INTERPRETATION: A quarter of ELBW teenagers have disabilities albeit most of them mild. Chronic health problems and learning difficulties affect many ELBW survivors. Changes with time emphasize need of long-term follow-up.

Survival and neurodevelopmental outcome of ELBW children at 5 years of age: comparison of two cohorts born 10 years apart.

AIM: To examine survival and outcome of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) children (birth weight < 1000 g) in two 5-year periods, 10 years apart. METHODS: In a retrospective population-based study, information on all ELBW children born in Iceland in 1991-1995 and in 2001-2005 was obtained from the National Birth Registry, hospital charts and medical records. The two periods were compared. RESULTS: In 1991-1995, 102 of 22.261 newborn children (0.5%) were extremely low birth weight compared with 70 of 20.923 newborns (0.33%) in 2001-2005 (p = 0.04). At 5 years of age, 52% (35/67) of live-born children born in 1991-1995 were alive compared with 63% (31/49) of children born in 2001 - 2005 (p = 0.2). Six ELBW children (17%) born 1991-1995 were diagnosed with disabilities at 5 years of age, three with major neurodevelopmental disabilities compared with six (19%) born 2001-2005, thereof one with severe neurodevelopmental disabilities (p = 0.57). CONCLUSION: The incidence of childhood disabilities in ELBW children in Iceland remains stable despite an increase in survival rate. The severity of neurodevelopmental disabilities has decreased.

Mineralization in a Critical Size Bone-Gap in Sheep Tibia Improved by a Chitosan-Calcium Phosphate-Based Composite as Compared to Predicate Device.

Deacetylated chitin derivatives have been widely studied for tissue engineering purposes. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of an injectable product containing a 50% deacetylated chitin derivative (BoneReg-Inject™) and an existing product (chronOS Inject®) serving as a predicate device. A sheep model with a critical size drill hole in the tibial plateau was used. Holes of 8 mm diameter and 30 mm length were drilled bilaterally into the proximal area of the tibia and BoneReg-Inject™ or chronOS Inject® were injected into the right leg holes. Comparison of resorption and bone formation in vivo was made by X-ray micro-CT and histological evaluation after a live phase of 12 weeks. Long-term effects of BoneReg-Inject™ were studied using a 13-month live period. Significant differences were observed in (1) amount of new bone within implant (p < 0.001), higher in BoneReg-InjectTM, (2) signs of cartilage tissue (p = 0.003), more pronounced in BoneReg-InjectTM, and (3) signs of fibrous tissue (p < 0.001), less pronounced in BoneReg-InjectTM. Mineral content at 13 months postoperative was significantly higher than at 12 weeks (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, for implant core and rim, respectively). The data demonstrate the potential of deacetylated chitin derivatives to stimulate bone formation.

Obstetric and neonatal risks among extremely macrosomic babies and their mothers.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the risk of complications at birth of extremely large babies (≥5000 g). STUDY DESIGN: This was a cohort study including all births of extremely large babies in 1996 through 2005 and comparison cohort with normal birthweight (1:2) identified in the national birth registration. RESULTS: There were 343 extremely large babies or 0.9% of all singletons. Compared to the normal birthweight cohort (n = 679), there were increased odds of shoulder dystocia (odds ratio [OR], 26.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.1-65.1), emergency cesarean section (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 3.4-8.0), and failed labor induction (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.7-11.0). The risk of elective section was not increased (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0). Minor congenital malformations were more frequent (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.7), as were birth injuries (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.1-6.8) and minor metabolic disturbance (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-6.2), but not asphyxial births. CONCLUSION: The risk of shoulder dystocia for very large babies is markedly raised, as are minor complications, while for mothers the main risk is emergency section.

Bone remodeling effect of a chitosan and calcium phosphate-based composite.

Chitosan is a biocompatible polymer that has been widely studied for tissue engineering purposes. The aim of this research was to assess bone regenerative properties of an injectable chitosan and calcium phosphate-based composite and identify optimal degree of deacetylation (%DDA) of the chitosan polymer. Drill holes were generated on the left side of a mandible in Sprague-Dawley rats, and the hole was either left empty or filled with the implant. The animals were sacrificed at several time points after surgery (7-22 days) and bone was investigated using micro-CT and histology. No significant new bone formation was observed in the implants themselves at any time points. However, substantial new bone formation was observed in the rat mandible further away from the drill hole. Morphological changes indicating bone formation were found in specimens explanted on Day 7 in animals that received implant. Similar bone formation pattern was seen in control animals with an empty drill hole at later time points but not to the same extent. A second experiment was performed to examine if the %DDA of the chitosan polymer influenced the bone remodeling response. The results suggest that chitosan polymers with %DDA between 50 and 70% enhance the natural bone remodeling mechanism.

Behavior and well-being of extremely low birth weight teenagers in Iceland.

BACKGROUND: Preterm children are at risk for behavioral and emotional problems. AIMS: To evaluate behavior and emotional well-being of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) teenagers born in Iceland in 1991-1995. METHODS: Participants, 30 of 35 ELBW survivors (25 girls, 5 boys, mean age 16.8 years), were interviewed, underwent medical examination and answered the Youth Self-Report for ages 11-18 (YSR) of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). The ELBW parents answered the ASEBA Child Behavior Checklist for ages 6-18 and the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ). A comparison group of 30 teenagers (23 girls, 7 boys, mean age 16.5 years) answered the YSR questionnaire and their parents answered the CBCL and ASSQ questionnaires. RESULTS: ELBW teenagers and parents report more behavior problems than the full term comparison teenagers and parents. They score significantly higher on the YSR and CBCL syndrome scales except for YSR and CBCL rule-breaking behavior and CBCL thought problems. The ELBW teenagers self-report on total competence, activities, social participation and academic performance was not significantly lower than the comparison teenagers. Parents of ELBW teenagers rated total competence, social participation and school performance of their children significantly lower than parents of comparison teenagers. The YSR Positive Qualities Scale was not significantly different between the two teenage groups. Two ELBW teenagers scored above cut-off points on the ASSQ questionnaire and none of the comparison teenagers. Bullying was reported by 20% of ELBW parents compared to none of the comparison group. CONCLUSION: ELBW teenagers experience emotional, behavior and social challenges. The teenagers value their positive qualities, activities and academic performance similar to peers.

[Phenylketonuria (PKU) in Iceland]. / Fenýlketónúría á Íslandi.

INTRODUCTION: PKU is a metabolic disorder caused by a mutation in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. Icelandic neonatal screening for PKU started in 1972. The mutation causes a variable [corrected] dysfunction in PAH, that metabolizes phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine (Tyr) with the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Accumulation of Phe causes mental retardation and seizures. Current therapy focuses on Phe-restrictive diet and newer methods like BH4 in large doses. The primary aim was to collect data about PKU in Iceland and evaluate therapy and screening. Additional focus was on BH4 therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was gathered from Landspitali medical charts retrospectively. Serum-Phe (S-Phe) measurements, age at initiation of therapy, PAH mutation types and information on current therapy was collected. RESULTS from BH4 loading tests were collected. RESULTS: 27 patients have been diagnosed with PKU in Iceland since 1947. Incidence 1972-2008 is 1/8400 living births. Classic PKU is the most common presentation in Iceland. Patients diagnosed after screening started have normal intelligence. Age at initiation of therapy and S-Phe average values lower with time. 12 PAH mutation types have been found in Iceland. A novel Icelandic mutation, Y377fsdelT, did not respond to BH4 loading test. Two patients responded to a BH4 loading test and four other patients are likely to respond to BH4 loading test. CONCLUSION: PKU incidence in Iceland is slightly higher than in neighboring countries. Therapy compliance is adequate and international consensuses regarding therapy are met. PKU patients in Iceland are generally in good health. Screening is efficient and save. BH4 therapy is a an optional alternative therapy in Iceland.

Behavioral correlates of direct current-coupled electrographic activity in premature infants.

The co-expression of behavioral and neural events represents a situation conducive to Hebbian-type neuroplasticity and may provide a reasonable explanation for how the amount of movement during the perinatal period contributes to neuromotor development. Direct current-coupled electrographic recordings in premature infants indicate that the majority of the electrographic activity is exhibited in a slow frequency range that is either distorted or not visible using traditional recording methods. Therefore, we provide a description of the behavioral correlates of direct current-coupled electrographic recordings in six premature human infants (3 males and 3 females; 30-34 weeks). We report, in concert with prior data, that electrographic activity and movements occur in tightly coupled discrete bouts. Surprisingly, spontaneous activity transients, which are slow, high amplitude, multiband electrographic events, typically precede startles; thereby revealing a previously unknown coupling of early neural and behavioral events in humans. Taken together, the present findings open novel venues for studying and dissecting mammalian neuromotor development.

[Extremely low birthweight infants in Iceland 1991-95. Risk factors for perinatal and neonatal death]. / Litlir fyrirburar á Islandi 1991-95. Ahaettuthaettir fyrir burdarmálsog nýburadauda.

OBJECTIVE: Survival of extremely low birthweight infants with birthweight <1000 g (ELBW) has increased in recent years, parallel to decline in perinatal mortality rate. This study was part of a geographically defined national study on survival, health, development and longterm outcome of ELBW infants in Iceland 1991-95 focusing on infant and maternal health risk factors affecting infant survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information was collected from the National Birth Registry on births and survival of ELBW infants weighing 500-999 g born in Iceland 1991-95. Information was obtained from hospital records of all liveborn ELBW infants and their mothers regarding maternal health, pregnancy, birth, diseases in the newborn period, lifespan and causes of death. Information on causes of death was collected from autopsy records of deceased infants. Comparison was made between the deceased ELBW infants and the control infants that survived. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 28 infants that died and a control group of 32 infants that survived. Most of the infants died in the first 24 hours after birth (47%). There was no significant difference in birthweight in the two groups nor regarding age of mothers, smoking, alcohol use and medication. Nearly all mothers of deceased infants (97%) had health problems during the pregnancy, compared to 66% mothers in the control group. Mothers of deceased infants had significantly more common infections (p=0.004). Significant difference was found regarding respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular hemorrhage in infants that died (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study support that short pregnancy, infection during pregnancy and intraventricular hemorrhage were the main risk factors causing death of ELBW infants in the perinatal and neonatal period in 1991-95.

[The effects of normal vaginal delivery on oxygen transport to the fetus]. / Ahrif edlilegrar faedingar á súrefnisflutning til fósturs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of normal vaginal delivery (NVD) on oxygen transport to the fetus. Study group and methods: Fifty newborn infants born by NVD and as a control group 50 infants born by elective Cesarean section (ECS) were studied. Factors reflecting oxygen transport to the fetus were measured in venous and arterial cord blood: pH, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2), oxygen saturation (SO2), blood oxygen content, base deficit, and lactic acid concentrations, erythropoietin concentrations, number of nucleated red blood cells and haemoglobin concentrations. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in venous blood oxygen content between the two groups of infants. However, arterial blood oxygen content was significanlty lower in the infants born by ECS than in those born by NVD (p<0.001). Infants born by NVD had significantly lower pH (p<0.001), greater base deficit (p<0.001), higher lactic acid (p<0.001) and erythropoietin concentrations (p=0.01), more nucleated red blood cells (p=0.004), and higher hemoglobin concentrations (p=0.002) in venous blood than in the infants born by ECS. pH was lower (p<0.001) and lactic aicid concentrations were higher (p<0.001) in arterial blood than venous blood in both groups of infants. CONCLUSIONS: (1) NVD causes reduction in oxygen transport to the fetus, resulting in acidosis and stimulation of blood forming tissues. (2) ECS is associated with more reduction in umbilical arterial cord blood oxygen content than NVD. (3) When evaluating acidosis in newborns after delivery it is more reliable to measure pH and lactic acid concentrations in arterial rather than venous cord blood.

[Hyponatremia in very low birth weight infants]. / Lág théttni natríums í sermi fyrirbura.

AIM: Hyponatremia can potentially have serious effects in the premature infant, Therefore, it is important to recognize its causes and prevent it if possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes of hyponatremia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants cared for at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Children's Hospital Iceland. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of 20 VLBW infants at the NICU of Children's Hospital Iceland, born after <30 weeks gestation with birth weight of < or =1250 g. Information was obtained on fluid administration, weight loss, sodium administration and serum sodium concentrations during their first ten days of life. RESULTS: The median gestational age was 27 weeks (24-29 weeks) and the median birth weight was 905 g (620-1250 g). A negative correlation was found between birth weight and the amount of fluids given (R2=-0.42; p=0.002). The median weight loss was 10.6% (3.1-29.5%). A positive correlation was found between weight loss and the amount of fluids the infants received (R2=0.76; p<0.001). The amount of sodium given was on the average 5.7+3.1 mmól/kg/24 hours. The median serum sodium concentration was 137 mmól/L (127-150 mmól/L). A negative correlation was found between the amount of sodium given and serum sodium concentrations (R2=-0.42; p<0.001). There was no correlation between the amount of fluids given and serum sodium concentrations (R2=0.006; p=0.7). A negative correlation was found between birth weight and serum sodium concentrations (R2=-0.24; p=0.027). CONCLUSION: High sodium requirements in VLBW infants at our hospital suggests that their hyponatremia is mainly due to the immaturity of their kidneys, which is known to result in excessive loss of sodium in the urine.

[Birth asphyxia, neonatal risk factors for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy]. / Fósturköfnun og heilakvilli--áhaettuthaettir og afleidingar fyrir nýbura.

OBJECTIVE: Neonates suffering from severe birth asphyxia may develop hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), some of which develop permanent neurological damage. As the incidence of asphyxia and HIE in Iceland is unknown, this study was conducted. Furthermore, we evaluated the association between some neonatal risk factors and the development of HIE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All term infants born at LSH from 1997-2001 with birth asphyxia, defined as 5 minute Apgar score or=<6, were included in the study. Clinical information, length and weight, Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 minutes normoblasts count, initial pH and hemoglobin levels were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: The incidence of HIE after birth asphyxia was 1.4/1000. The infants who developed HIE had significantly lower birth weight and Apgar scores at one, five and ten minutes. They also had lower umbilical artery pH, had more base deficit and lower serum bicarbonate concentrations than the infants who did not develop HIE. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HIE was low compared to other studies. Birth asphyxia resulting in HIE is associated with lower birth weight, Apgar scores, pH and neonatal hemoglobin levels at birth. We conclude that neonates with low hemoglobin level are at increased risk for developing HIE and that low pH and Apgar scores may predict worse outcomes after birth asphyxia.

[Birth asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, incidence and obstetric risk factors]. / Fósturköfnun og heilakvilli af völdum súrefnisthurrdar--tídni og áhaettuthaettir á medgöngu og í faedingu.

OBJECTIVE: Modern medical practice has changed dramatically during the past decades because of improved technology. Still, fetal surveillance during labor is relatively unchanged since 1960 s when fetal heart rate monitoring (FHR) became standard practice. Newborn infants are still suffering from birth asphyxia and in severe cases leading to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) which sometimes results in permanent neurological damage. The incidence of birth asphyxia and HIE in Iceland is unknown and so are the risk factors for severe asphyxia. The objective of this study was to assess the incidence, obstetric risk factors and the sequela of severe asphyxia at Landspitali university hospital (LSH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All term infants born at LSH from 1.1.1997- 31.12.2001 with birth asphyxia, defined as five minute Apgar score %lt;6, were included in the study (n=127). Clinical information were collected retrospectively from maternal records on maternal diseases during pregnancy, cardiotocogram (CTG), type of birth, the presence of meconium and operative delivery rates. Information was also collected regarding birth asphyxia and HIE in the neonatal period. RESULTS: The incidence of birth asphyxia was 9.4/1000 live term births during the study period, with increasing incidence during the three last years. The incidence of HIE was 1.4/ 1,000 live term births. Severe maternal diseases during pregnancy were not a significant risk factor for asphyxia. The amniotic fluid was meconium stained in fifty percent of cases and the umbilical cord was wrapped around the fetal neck in 41% of cases. Abnormal CTG tracing was observed in 66% of cases in the study group and in 79% of the HIE cases. Operative deliveries were significantly more common in the study cohort compared with other deliveries at LSH at the same time: ventouse delivery 22% vs 6.8% (p<0,001), forceps delivery 6.3% vs 1,03% (p<0,001), emergency cesarean section 19.7% vs 11.4% ( p=0,008). CONCLUSION: The incidence of birth asphyxia is higher in LSH compared with the incidence found in other studies. Signs of fetal distress on CTG and delivery with operative interventions are common. With current available methods to detect intrapartum asphyxia there is a poor correlation with CTG and the development of HIE after severe asphyxia. The presence of severe maternal diseases does not correlate with increased incidence of asphyxia, presumably due to increased surveillance of these pregnancies and a lower treshold for intervention during delivery. In low risk pregnancies there is a lack of appropriate methods with high sensitivity and specificity to detect intrapartum asphyxia.

The effects of smoking in pregnancy on factors influencing fetal growth.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on factors influencing fetal growth. METHODS: Thirty newborns of smoking mothers were prospectively compared with 60 newborns of non-smoking mothers. Pre-albumin, albumin, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, IGF binding protein 3, pH, lactic acid, erythropoietin and hemoglobin concentrations were measured in umbilical cord blood. RESULTS: Infants of smoking mothers had a significantly lower birth weight (3418 +/- 533 vs. 3863 +/- 503 g; p < 0.001), length (50.5 +/- 2,6 vs. 52.3 +/- 1.9 cm; p < 0.001) and head circumference (34.6 +/- 1.8 vs. 35.8 +/- 1.1 cm; p < 0.001) than controls. They also had significantly lower insulin (3.2 (2.0-4.9) vs. 5.8 (4.6-7.1) mU/L; p = 0.008), insulin-like growth factor I (54.4 +/- 32.5 vs. 93.8 +/- 54.5 microg/L; p = 0.001) and IGF binding protein 3 (1664 +/- 432 vs. 1943 +/- 421 microg/L; p = 0.01) concentrations, than controls. Infants of smoking mothers also had significantly higher hemoglobin (167 +/- 14 vs. 157 +/- 13 g/L; p = 0.002) and erythropoietin (42.3 (25.1-72.4) vs. 26.3 (21.9-30.9) U/L; p = 0.03) than controls, but not pH or lactate concentrations. There was no significant difference in pre-albumin, albumin, triglycerides and glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking during pregnancy causes symmetrical fetal growth impairment, possibly due to decreased oxygen transport to the fetus and decreased concentrations of fetal insulin, insulin-like growth factor I and IGF binding protein 3.

[Respiratory dysfunction in infants born by elective cesarean section without labor]. / Ondunarördugleikar hjá nýburum sem faedast med valkeisaraskurdi.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gestational age at the timing of elective caesarean section (ECS) on the incidence of respiratory dysfunction in the newborn. STUDY GROUP AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study. All infants born by ECS at the Landspitali-University Hospital Iceland over a 10 years period (1996-2005) at >or=37 weeks gestation and diagnosed with transient tachypnoea of the newborn (TTN) or respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were included in the study. RESULTS: Of the 1486 infants delivered by ECS over the study period 57 (3.8%) developed TTN (50 infants) or RDS (7 infants). The incidence of respiratory dysfunction was inversely related to gestational age, 13.8% at 37 weeks gestation and 2.5% at 40 weeks gestation. A statistically significant reduction in the incidence of TTN or RDS was observed from 38 weeks to 39 weeks gestation (6.6% and 2.3% respectively; p<0.001). There has been a reduction in the incidence of ECS before 39 weeks gestation since 2001, when guidelines regarding optimal timing of ECS were set at our hospital. CONCLUSION: The incidence of respiratory dysfunction in neonates born by ECS is inversely related to gestational age, even in the term infant. It is important to delay ECS until 39 weeks gestation whenever possible, in order to minimize the risk of respiratory dysfunction in the newborn infant.

[Neonatal life support]. / Endurlífgun nýbura.

Although most newborn infants are vigorous at birth, some need to be resuscitated. Therefore, at least one person skilled in neonatal resuscitation should be present at every delivery and appropriate equipment for resuscitation should be available. Most infants who require resuscitation only need respiratory support. Chest compressions and administration of medications are infrequently needed. This article provides guidelines on neonatal resuscitation, which are mainly based on recently published International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) guidelines.

[The efficacy of high frequency ventilation in severe neonatal respiratory failure]. / Arangur meoferoar meo hátíoniöndunarvél hjá nýburum meo alvarlega öndunarbilun.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of high frequency ventilation (HFV) in infants failing conventional ventilator therapy at our institution. STUDY GROUP AND METHODS: Medical records of all infants managed on HFV after having failed conventional ventilator management from 1994-2004 were reviewed. Ventilatory settings, blood gases and pH just prior to starting HFV, and two and four hours after starting HFV were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty one infants met the study criteria. At two hours of HFV there was a significant improvement in oxygenation (Alveolar to arterial oxygen tension difference), ventilation and acid-base balance. These values were not significantly different between two and four hours of HFV. There was no significant difference in oxygenation between survivors (n=41) and non-survivors (n=20) prior to HFV, but after two hours of HFV the survivors had significant improvement in oxygenation. Thirty one of the survivors had improved oxygenation at two and four hours of HFV, but only eight of the nonsurvivors (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: HFV results in significant improvements in oxygenation, ventilation and acid-base balance in most infants failing conventional ventilatory management. The immediate response to HFV may be a predictor of survival in infants with severe hypoxic respiratory failure.

[Extremely low birthweight infants in iceland. Survival and disability.].

OBJECTIVE: In recent years advances in medical care and technology have increased newborn survival rate, both fullterm and preterm. This is reflected in a low Perinatal Mortality Rate in Iceland. Survival of extremely low birthweight infants (ELBW with BW<1000g) has also increased, especially since the availability of surfactant therapy for Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity. The purpose of this geographically defined national study was to evaluate survival and longterm outcome of ELBW children in Iceland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Information on all births in Iceland 1982-95 was collected from the National Birth Registry and Statistics Iceland with information on ELBW infants weighing 500-999g born in two periods 1982-90 and 1991-95, before and after the use of surfactant became routine therapy. Information on disability was obtained from records at the State Social Security Institute. Comparison was made between the two groups of ELBW infants. RESULTS: In 1982-90 the proportion of ELBW infants was 0.3% of all births (116 of 38.378) and longterm survival at five years of age was 19 of 87 liveborn children or 22%. In 1991-95 ELBW infants were 0.5% of all births (102 of 22.261) and longterm survival was 35 of 67 liveborn children or 52%. Of the 19 ELBW children born in 1982-90 three are considered handicapped (16%) and 6 of 35 ELBW children born in 1991-95 (17%). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that at the same time that proportionally more children are of extreme low birthweight, the survival of ELBW infants has increased from 22% in 1982-90 to 52% in 1991-95. The proportion of ELBW children with disability is not increased significantly between the two periods.

[Carriage of group B beta-haemolytic streptococci among pregnant women in Iceland and colonisation of their newborn infants.].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carrier rate of group B beta-haemolytic streptococci (GBS) of pregnant women in Iceland and the colonisation of their newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from October 1994 until October 1997, where culture specimens for GBS were taken from vagina and rectum of pregnant women attending the prenatal clinics at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital and the Reykjavik Health Centre. The samples were taken at 23 and 36 weeks gestation and at delivery. Culture samples were also taken from axilla, umbilical area and pharynx of their newborn infants immediately after birth. Included in the study were pregnant women born on every fourth day of each month. Carrier state was not treated during pregnancy, but Penicillin G was given i.v. at delivery if the last culture before delivery was positive and gestational age was <37 weeks, rupture of membranes was >12 hours before delivery or the mother had a fever >38 degrees C. RESULTS: Cultures were taken from 280 women and their children. GBS carrier rate of pregnant women in Iceland was 24.3%. Twelve newborns had GBS positive cultures. No newborn had a confirmed septicemia. Cultures from 25% of newborns, who s mothers were still GBS carriers at birth, were positive for GBS. Positive predictive value of cultures taken at 23 weeks gestation was 64% and 78% at 36 weeks. Negative predictive value was 95% and 99% respectively. CONCLUSION: One out of every four pregnant women in Iceland is a GBS carrier. Twentyfive percent of newborns become colonised with GBS if the mother is a GBS carrier at delivery. When screening for GBS carrier state is done cultures from both vagina and rectum is more sensitive than cultures from vagina only. At least five percent of all newborns in Iceland are therefore expected to have positive skin cultures at birth. If the mother does not have positive GBS cultures during pregnancy, the likelihood that she will give birth to a GBS colonised child is almost none.