RESUMEN
Fluoxetine shows controversial lung effects as it prevents pulmonary hypertension in adult rats but exposure during gestation causes pulmonary hypertension in neonatal rats. In the present study, we tested the null hypothesis that the antidepressant drug fluoxetine does not modify the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in neonatal rats. Experimental categories included I: room air (controls) with daily injection of saline; II: room air with daily injection of 10 mg/kg fluoxetine, i.p., during two weeks; III: 60% oxygen with daily injection of saline; and IV: 60% oxygen with daily injection of 10 mg/kg fluoxetine, i.p., during two weeks. Hyperoxia resulted in significant reduction in alveolar density and an increase in pulmonary endocrine cells, as well as increases in muscle layer areas of bronchi and arteries. Fluoxetine treatment generated a further increase in muscularisation and did not significantly modify the hyperoxia-induced reductions in alveolar density and increases in the endocrine cells. In hyperoxia, Real-Time PCR showed a lower pulmonary expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with no significant changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 12. Fluoxetine did not affect VEGF or MMP-2 expression but it significantly increased MMP-12 mRNA in both normoxic and hyperoxic groups. Zymographic analysis of MMP-2 activity in bronchoalveolar fluid showed a significantly reduced MMP-2 activity in hyperoxia, while fluoxetine treatment restored MMP-2 activity to levels comparable with the normoxic group. In conclusion, our data show that fluoxetine may worsen bronchial and arterial muscularisation during development of BPD and may up-regulate MMP expression or activity.
Asunto(s)
Antidepresivos de Segunda Generación/toxicidad , Fluoxetina/toxicidad , Hiperoxia/complicaciones , Lesión Pulmonar/etiología , Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina/toxicidad , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Secuencia de Bases , Displasia Broncopulmonar/etiología , Displasia Broncopulmonar/genética , Displasia Broncopulmonar/metabolismo , Displasia Broncopulmonar/patología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Humanos , Hiperoxia/genética , Hiperoxia/metabolismo , Recién Nacido , Lesión Pulmonar/genética , Lesión Pulmonar/metabolismo , Lesión Pulmonar/patología , Metaloproteinasa 12 de la Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinasa 12 de la Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinasa 2 de la Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinasa 2 de la Matriz/metabolismo , Músculo Liso Vascular/efectos de los fármacos , Músculo Liso Vascular/patología , Células Neuroendocrinas/efectos de los fármacos , Células Neuroendocrinas/metabolismo , Células Neuroendocrinas/patología , Embarazo , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Músculos Respiratorios/efectos de los fármacos , Músculos Respiratorios/patología , Ubiquitina Tiolesterasa/metabolismo , Regulación hacia Arriba/efectos de los fármacos , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismoRESUMEN
AIM: In critically ill neonates, peripheral perfusion and oxygenation assessment may provide indirect information on circulatory failure in limb arterial thromboembolic emergencies. Aims of our study were: 1) to evaluate the changes on tissue oxygenation index, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and blood volume obtained by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the infants legs; 2) to compare them with ultrasonographic data. METHODS: Tissue oxygenation index (TOI), oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) and blood volume (BV) differences were assessed by NIRS on the calf of 8 newborn infants (median weight 1995, range 585-3010 g; median gestational age 32.5, range 26-40 wks). An ultrasonographic scan of the arterial system was performed before the NIRS measurements, to validate the site of arterial occlusion. RESULTS: A t-test for independent samples showed lower values in the affected limb for all NIRS measurements. TOI measurements displayed lower values in the thromboembolic limb (mean 44.79±12%) versus unaffected (mean 47.95±17.08%) (P=0.0001). Mean (SD) peak systolic velocity in the patent artery below the occlusion decreased from 108±25 cm/s in the normal limb to 25.6±28 cm/s in the thrombus site (P=0.02). CONCLUSION: In neonatal intensive care units, measurement of limb peripheral perfusion and oxygenation seems to be clinically useful in arterial thromboembolic emergencies.
Asunto(s)
Extremidades/irrigación sanguínea , Flujo Sanguíneo Regional , Espectroscopía Infrarroja Corta , Tromboembolia/fisiopatología , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , MasculinoRESUMEN
Several studies of peripheral measurements with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and venous or arterial occlusion have been performed in neonates. Results have been variable. Reasons include differences in patient populations, technical aspects of the devices used or the way measurements were made. It is therefore important that there should be common elements for measurement protocols. This statement proposes a standardised approach to allow comparison between different study populations and devices.
Asunto(s)
Brazo/irrigación sanguínea , Pierna/irrigación sanguínea , Oxígeno/sangre , Espectroscopía Infrarroja Corta/métodos , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Oxígeno/metabolismo , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Flujo Sanguíneo RegionalRESUMEN
AIM: The aim of this paper was to study the evolution of ventriculomegaly, the treatment and the developmental problems of a group of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) born between 1985 and 1999 who met Levene's percentiles for post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD). METHODS: A retrospective hospital-based study of a cohort of 66 VLBWI who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PHVD was performed. Measures of neurodevelopmental outcome were evaluated by analyzing neurosensorial patterns as well as mental and behavioral adjustment up to pre-school age in 35 survivors. RESULTS: The PHVDs initially (1985-1989) were due to a grade 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (71.4%), and in the latter period (1995-1999) to IVH grade 2 (36.4%), grade 3 (31.8%) and grade 4 (31.8%). Acetazolamide has been used since the 90's in neonates with progressive PHVD. The 90s were characterized by an increasing incidence of tiny babies and rapidly-progressive PHVD. Taps were more frequent in the arrested dilatation group. Similarly, taps and acetazolamide were administered to newborns with persistent, slowly-progressive ventricular dilatation (PHVD > 4 weeks). The highest correlation was found for gestational age with the mental and psychomotor developmental indexes. Delayed performance and/or mental retardation were diagnosed in 71.4% of the survivors. CONCLUSION: Acetazolamide and lumbar puncture, associated with other risk variables (severity of IVH, PHVD evolution and associated parenchymal lesions) are harmful in terms of development, but they have a role in the short-term arrested and slowly progressive PHVD of the surviving babies, and not in the mortality incidence. Our retrospective data demonstrated that lower gestational age at birth increased the risk of lower mental and psychomotor developmental indexes.
Asunto(s)
Hemorragia Cerebral/complicaciones , Ventrículos Cerebrales/patología , Desarrollo Infantil , Recién Nacido de muy Bajo Peso , Discapacidad Intelectual/etiología , Acetazolamida/administración & dosificación , Acetazolamida/uso terapéutico , Factores de Edad , Anticonvulsivantes/administración & dosificación , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapéutico , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Interpretación Estadística de Datos , Dilatación Patológica , Estudios de Seguimiento , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de Tiempo , Derivación VentriculoperitonealRESUMEN
This study presents a new measure of the hemodynamic changes to an auditory stimulus in newborns. Nineteen newborns born at 28-41 wk and aged 1 to 49 d were studied in waking and/or sleeping state, for a median time of 4 min 40 s before, 2 min 40 s during, and 3 min 5 s after an acustic stimulus (tonal sweep of frequency increasing from 2 to 4 kHz, intensity 90 dB SPL) originating 5 cm from the external auditory meatus. The emitter and detector optodes were placed over the left or right temporal region, corresponding to T3 or T4 EEG electrodes. The concentration changes in cerebral chromophores Delta[HbO2], Delta[Hb] and Deltaoxidized-reduced cytochrome aa(3) were recorded every 5 s. Changes in cerebral blood volume were calculated from the changes in total Hb x 0.89/large vessel Hb concentration. Increased oxyhemoglobin, Delta[HbO2], total Hb, Delta[Hb (sum)], and cerebral blood volume, DeltaCBV, were found in 13/19 neonates, with the exception of a neonate who only had increased in Delta[Hb], Delta[Hb (sum)] and DeltaCBV. During the stimulation phase there was a significant increase in DeltaCBV (t test, p = 0.00006) in the responsive newborns from a mean value of 0.006 (+/-0.02) mL/100 g in the pretest phase to 0.09 (+/-0.06) mL/100 g during the auditory stimulus. After the test DeltaCBV decreased to 0.04 (+/-0.07) mL/100 g (t test, p = 0.01), so did Delta[Hb (sum)] (p = 0.02). Hemodynamic responses of the subjects who showed increases in Delta[Hb (sum)] and Delta[HbO(2)] were analyzed to study the Delta[Hb]. The responder subjects could be classified into two groups according to Delta[Hb] changes: 8/13 (61.5%) showed an increase of Delta[Hb] (pattern A), while 5/13 (38.4%) showed a decrease (pattern B) (t test, p = 0.03). These two patterns did not show differences related to Delta[HbO(2)] and Delta[Hb (sum)]. The DeltaCBV changes in nonresponders presented a decrease during the test phase (t test, p = 0.04). CBV did not return to pretest values, suggesting a fronto-temporal brain pathway for storing unusual sounds. The increase in CBV followed the local increase in oxyhemoglobin and total Hb concentrations due to a greater use of oxygen in the homolateral temporal cortex of the newborns.
Asunto(s)
Estimulación Acústica , Encéfalo/fisiología , Electroencefalografía , Potenciales Evocados Auditivos , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Espectroscopía Infrarroja CortaRESUMEN
The study aimed to assess how well the severity of clinical conditions in extremely low birth weight infants in the first 12 h of life, as measured by the CRIB (clinical risk index for babies), relates to hospital outcome and subsequent disability at 18 months of age. The CRIB was confirmed as a valid index of initial neonatal risk, even in extremely low birth weight infants, predicting hospital outcome (death or major brain lesions) more accurately than birth weight or gestational age. However, an adjustment of the CRIB score for gestational age might enhance its positive predictive value in relation to short-term developmental outcome in this particular population.
Asunto(s)
Recién Nacido de Bajo Peso , Sistema Nervioso/crecimiento & desarrollo , Peso al Nacer , Encefalopatías , Anomalías Congénitas , Discapacidades del Desarrollo , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Mortalidad Infantil , Recién Nacido , Cuidado Intensivo Neonatal , Pronóstico , Curva ROC , Factores de RiesgoAsunto(s)
Transmisión Vertical de Enfermedad Infecciosa , Meningitis Bacterianas/microbiología , Meningitis Bacterianas/transmisión , Infecciones por Pasteurella/microbiología , Infecciones por Pasteurella/transmisión , Pasteurella multocida , Antibacterianos , Quimioterapia Combinada/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Meningitis Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Meningitis Bacterianas/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Pasteurella/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Pasteurella/tratamiento farmacológico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Vagina/microbiologíaRESUMEN
The purpose of our study was the evaluation of the effects of a film on the anxiety and memory of cronically ill adolescents (n. 25) versus healthy adolescents (n. 25). The chronic illness was: renal failure, renal transplantation (6 months before), scoliosis and Crohn's disease. The S.T.A.I.-Y test was administered before and after the film to evaluate the state-anxiety before and after the vision, only the trait-anxiety was evaluated before. The state and trait-anxiety was not abnormal, although the state anxiety was increased in the hospitalized adolescents before the vision (mean S.T.A.I.-Y = 43.2) and was decreasing (mean S.T.A.I.-Y = 37.32) after it. This result confirms the needs of a global paediatric health-care in order to minimise psychosocial traumas, associated with hospitalisation. The second goal of our research was the mood and memory correlation and the mood-congruency. We administered two memory tests (free and guided) using a recorder and a questionnaire. Our study presents a better free-memory in healthy subjects (16.6% vs. 5.16% in the hospitalized adolescents) and a better guided-memory in the healthy subjects (13.7% vs. 7.08% in the hospitalized adolescents). Our results can't confirm the mood-congruency theory, although the study conclusion is concerning a general decreasing of memory competence, following the repeated hospital admissions and the chronic illness.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad/psicología , Memoria , Adolescente , Enfermedad de Crohn/psicología , Femenino , Hospitalización , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/psicología , Trasplante de Riñón/psicología , Masculino , Psicología del AdolescenteRESUMEN
Longitudinal follow-up of preterm neonates after discharge from Intensive Care satisfies the family's need for support and ensures an ongoing link with the hospital concerned, but must be based on a specific, sensitive and predictive screening program. We report a prospective cohort study in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) using the Perinatal Risk Inventory (PERI)1, at discharge. Of 87 consecutive newborn referred to the tertiary NICU at the Pediatrics Department of Padua University in 1993 (gestational age > or = 25 weeks, weight at birth < 1500 g), 65 (75%) survived: 54 cases complied with the Fitzhardinge '80 criteria and were followed up to at least 1 year (corrected age). A further 18 neonates with neonatal cerebral problems were also considered. The PERI at discharge was combined with neonatological and neuro-evolutional evaluation and examination of neuro-sensorial development indicators at the corrected ages of 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. PERI scores were: < or = 7 in 36; 8-11 in 22; > 11 in 14. The cut off point at 7 to 11 increases the sensitivity, the specificity and the predictive values of the test. At 1 year (corrected age), 6 patients (8.3%) had a diagnosis of spastic diplegia and 2 (2.7%) had spastic hemiplegia. The relative risk of cerebral paralysis was 4.5 in the neonates with IVH 4 degrees, odds ratio 6.7, and 3.6 in the 16 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), odds ratio 4.7. 72 patients were selected for follow-up by the Fitzhardinge '80 criteria, whereas with the PERI (cut off point 7) only 44 neonates would have been selected. This confirms the need for new criteria in recruiting preterm neonates for longitudinal follow-up to quantify neurological risks, particularly in view of the socioeconomic impact of the problem.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos del Crecimiento/epidemiología , Recien Nacido Prematuro , Factores de Edad , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Estudios Prospectivos , Medición de Riesgo , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Advance in the science and technology of neonatal and pediatric critical care have resulted in improved outcome for high risk newborn and children. Effective interhospital transport programmes are necessary for the appropriate use of resources and has become an integral component of regionalized perinatal care. It is now well established that use of an organized neonatal and pediatric transport team results in a fall in mortality and morbidity of infant. The American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologist and, recently, American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines and recommendations for safe interhospital transfer of neonates, infants and children. Training of personnel, selection of equipment, organization and communication between hospitals are critical elements of a successful transport system. We present an overview of the role, principles and operating procedures of such neonatal-pediatric transport team and the basis of clinical stabilization before and during transfer. We also discuss data of the first 17 month experience of the Neonatal-Pediatric Transport Service of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Padua.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad Crítica/terapia , Transporte de Pacientes/organización & administración , Ambulancias , Niño , Preescolar , Urgencias Médicas , Hospitales Universitarios , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Italia , Transporte de Pacientes/estadística & datos numéricos , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
The long-term impairment of pulmonary function during exercise was assessed in 12 children, aged 6 to 12 yr, who developed BPD after prematurity (gestational age 30 +/- 2 wk [mean +/- SD] and birth weight 1,400 +/- 335 g) and 16 age-, sex-, and physical activity-matched healthy children born at term, who served as controls. The children performed pulmonary function tests at rest and a maximal stepwise exercise on a treadmill. Oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), and minute ventilation (VE) were monitored during the run. Baseline mean spirometric values (% of predicted) were in the normal range for both groups but were lower in BPD children with respect to control children (p < 0.05). At rest, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was > or = 98% in all BPD children, but at peak exercise, 4 of them had a SaO2 fall > or = 4%. The postexercise FEV1 fall, with respect to the baseline, was 8 +/- 6%, in BPD and 2 +/- 1% in control children (p < 0.01). Maximum VO2 and VE were significantly lower in BPD children with respect to the control group (25.2 +/- 10.3 versus 37.1 +/- 10.4 ml/min/kg and 20.8 +/- 9.4 versus 30.7 +/- 7.9 L/min, respectively, both p < 0.01). Also, at submaximal levels of exercise dynamic, VO2 and VE responses were significantly lower in the BPD group (ANOVA, p < 0.001), with a ventilatory pattern characterized by lower tidal volumes. Anaerobic threshold was 20.6 +/- 9 in BPD and 28.8 +/- 8.6 ml O2/min/kg in healthy children (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Asunto(s)
Displasia Broncopulmonar/fisiopatología , Tolerancia al Ejercicio/fisiología , Pulmón/fisiopatología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Niño , Prueba de Esfuerzo , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Intercambio Gaseoso Pulmonar/fisiología , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To report the complications and outcome of 10 newborns affected by acute renal failure (ARF), treated by continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD). DESIGN: All newborns admitted for tertiary treatment to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University of Padova, who underwent CPD between February 1986 and December 1990, were analyzed retrospectively. PATIENTS: Ten newborns (mean weight 2077 g, range 540-4930 g) received CPD, 6 of whom were preterm. All the survivors completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: A number 9, 5 French Tenckhoff catheter was used, and a closed circuit was created by means of a modified continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) technique. The mean duration of dialytic therapy was 7 days. RESULTS: At the end of the dialytic period, 7 of the 10 patients had normal serum potassium and sodium values. CPD produced two different types of complications: leakage of the dialytic fluid in very low weight newborns and one episode of peritonitis during a chronic dialysis treatment. Six died of severe respiratory failure (in no case, however, was this attributable to ARF or CPD procedure). All but one of the survivors regained normal renal function. The only exception necessitated a kidney transplant. CONCLUSION: We believe that this technique, although invasive, improves the outcome of both preterm and low birth weight newborns affected by ARF.
Asunto(s)
Lesión Renal Aguda/terapia , Diálisis Peritoneal Ambulatoria Continua , Cateterismo/instrumentación , Causas de Muerte , Creatinina/sangre , Soluciones para Diálisis/administración & dosificación , Diseño de Equipo , Estudios de Seguimiento , Glucosa/administración & dosificación , Paro Cardíaco/complicaciones , Heparina/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Diálisis Peritoneal Ambulatoria Continua/instrumentación , Diálisis Peritoneal Ambulatoria Continua/métodos , Potasio/sangre , Síndrome de Dificultad Respiratoria del Recién Nacido/complicaciones , Sodio/sangre , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del Tratamiento , Urea/sangreRESUMEN
We evaluated 38 newborns with acute renal failure (plasma creatinine (Pcr) concentration greater than = 1.5 mg/dl), measured between the 2nd and 5th days. We used renal ultrasound to exclude the possibility of congenital renal anomalies, obstructive pathology or vascular disorders. We calculated the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using Schwartz' formula and the maximal concentrating capacity using intranasal administration of desamino-cis-1-D-arginine-8-vasopressin (DDAVP test). Two newborns were treated with peritoneal dialysis and died during the first month of life. Thirty-six had a follow-up blood sample drawn: 24 preterm babies between 1 and 12 months, and 12 full-term babies between 1 and 36 months of life. From this sampling 4 babies (11.1%) showed defective maximal concentrating ability. Our data reveal the persistence of altered concentrating ability in newborns affected by renal failure and shows that this problem needs a longitudinal study and further diagnostic investigations.
Asunto(s)
Lesión Renal Aguda/fisiopatología , Riñón/fisiopatología , Lesión Renal Aguda/epidemiología , Creatinina/sangre , Estudios de Seguimiento , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular/fisiología , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Riñón/diagnóstico por imagen , Capacidad de Concentración Renal/fisiología , Pronóstico , Factores de Tiempo , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
During a four-year period, 154 surviving preterm infants of 32 weeks gestation or less were prospectively examined by cerebral ultrasound for periventricular-intraparenchymal cystic lesions (IPCL) subsequent to ischemic and/or haemorrhagic damage. Neurological and developmental outcome was assessed with examinations at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 months of age corrected for prematurity. Twenty-four (15.5%) patients were found to have IPCL changes at ultrasound. In 8 cases, a porencephalic cyst subsequent to grade IV IVH (Papile's classification) was found; all had cerebral palsy and severe developmental deficit was present in 4. Diffuse bilateral PVL was found in 8 cases: 1 was not evaluable, 7 developed cerebral palsy; the developmental delay was severe in 4, moderate in 2 patients, and only 1 was normal. Four patients had localized bilateral PVL: 3 patients had mild diplegia and 1 was normal; the developmental outcome was normal only in 1 case, 1 had a severe cognitive delay, and 2 were moderate. In the remaining 4 cases, the ultrasound showed a monolateral localized PVL: 1 patient had mild diplegia and moderate cognitive delay, 3 were normal. - This study confirms the important role of the ultrasonographic diagnosis of IPCL in preterm infants to foresee later neurodevelopmental outcome. Extensive parenchymal lesions were strongly associated with major neurodevelopmental handicaps, while localized and small lesions were correlated with more favorable neurological as well as developmental prognosis.
Asunto(s)
Hemorragia Cerebral/complicaciones , Quistes/complicaciones , Discapacidades del Desarrollo/etiología , Encefalomalacia/complicaciones , Enfermedades del Prematuro/complicaciones , Leucomalacia Periventricular/complicaciones , Parálisis/etiología , Hemorragia Cerebral/congénito , Hemorragia Cerebral/diagnóstico , Preescolar , Quistes/congénito , Quistes/diagnóstico , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Enfermedades del Prematuro/diagnóstico , Leucomalacia Periventricular/congénito , Leucomalacia Periventricular/diagnóstico , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
Agenesis of the bladder is a rare congenital anomaly, recorded most often in stillborn infants. Renal agenesis and other severe malformations are frequently associated. An apparent failure of the infraureteral tissue of the mesonephric duct to develop into trigone and proximal urethra seems to be the cause of this anomaly. We report a case of bladder agenesis with anal atresia, left renal dysplasia, and bicornuate uterus.
Asunto(s)
Vejiga Urinaria/anomalías , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Riñón/diagnóstico por imagen , Riñón/patología , Cintigrafía , Ultrasonografía , UrografíaRESUMEN
Of 20 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), 17 survived (85%) and were followed prospectively up to one year post-term. Lower respiratory tract infections occurred in 12 patients (70.5%), and in 7 (41%) at least one hospital admission was required. At one year post-term follow-up, 9 patient (52.9%) continued to present respiratory symptoms, and 5 out of 13 (38.4%) radiographic changes. Six cases (35%) presented chronic cor pulmonale. Only 6 children (35%) showed normal growth, while the others showed deficits in one or more growth parameters. Cerebral palsy occurred in 41% of the children; 3 cases of severe tetraparesis and 4 of moderately severe palsy (hemiparesis or diplegia). Developmental quotient (DQ) was less than 70 in 6 cases (35%), from 70-90 in 4 (23.5%), and greater than 90 in 7 (41%). The severe neurodevelopmental outcomes were significantly correlated with the presence of important neonatal cerebral pathology (3-4 degrees IVH or periventricular leukomalacia). Retinopathy due to prematurity was diagnosed in 7 patients (41%), and in 5 it progressed to retrolental fibroplasia. Ten cases (58.8%) showed strabism, of which 8 had previous eye background involvement. Hearing deficit was not detected in any patient. Esthetic and functional sequelae consisted of scalp eschar (3 cases), post-thoracotomy scar (1 case), pleural drainage scars (3 cases), nasal deformity due to prolonged intubation (1 case), laryngeal stenosis (1 case), and post-tracheostomy stenosis (1 case).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)