Retinopathy of prematurity and antenatal corticosteroids. The Italian ROP Study Group.

OBJECTIVES: It is not known whether antenatal corticosteroids (ANS) can reduce the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The aim of this study was to evaluate in a prospective cohort study the effect of ANS on ROP development and severity. METHODS: All infants consecutively admitted to 14 centres from 1.1.1992 to 31.12.1993, with a gestational age < or = 30 weeks, no congenital anomalies, and who survived to 6 months, were enrolled (N = 380). Mean birth weight of the cohort was 1157 g; mean gestational age was 28.4 weeks. ROP stage 1-2 developed in 82 neonates; ROP stage 3-3+ in 57. Only 70 neonates (18.4%) received ANS prophylaxis. RESULTS: ANS prophylaxis highly significantly reduced the risk of developing ROP [Odds ratio, (OR), 0.35; 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.71, logistic regression analysis], and that of severe (stage 3-3+) ROP (OR 0.07; 95% confidence interval: 0.02-0.34). Short gestation, low birth weight, bronchopulmonary dysplasia also were significantly associated with ROP development and severity; respiratory distress syndrome and not being treated with surfactant were significant risk factors for ROP severity. CONCLUSIONS: ANS prophylaxis protected both against ROP development and against severe forms of ROP. Prematurity and respiratory morbidity still represent independent risk factors for ROP.

Biased assessment of gestational age at birth when obstetric gestation is known.

The gestational age of 302 neonates whose obstetric gestational age was known was assessed at birth using the Dubowitz method; it was obtained from Dubowitz score both graphically from a nomogram and by calculation from the corresponding equation. The values obtained graphically differed to a lesser extent from the obstetric gestational age than did the gestation derived algebraically. With infants small for gestational age (SGA) the difference between the methods was smaller and not significant. It is concluded that the concurrent knowledge of obstetric gestational age introduced a bias in the graphic step; this did not happen in SGA infants probably because in these cases the available information is sometimes less certain. These data demonstrate that even simple procedures are influenced by concurrent information; as a philosophical point about the interpretation of data in general, this study provides an empirical example of the 'theory-ladenness of facts' in medicine.

Ambroxol in the treatment of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. An interim report on a controlled double-blind multicenter study versus placebo.

In a double-blind multicenter study versus placebo, the therapeutic effects of ambroxol (10 mg/kg, i.v. twice daily for 7 days) were studied in an appropriately selected population with severe respiratory failure. Treatment was given to 28 neonates with birth weight less than or equal to 2,000 g, appropriate for gestational age with idiopathic respiratory distress of such severity as to require assisted ventilation (IMV or IPPV) within 12 h of birth. The preliminary results showed that ambroxol treatment, and not placebo, increased survival, reduced the time during which mechanical ventilation was required and improved the FiO2/PaO2 ratio and the biochemical indices of pulmonary maturity. This latter improvement suggests that the amelioration of the IRDS clinical picture and the reduction of ventilatory requirement might be due to an increase in pulmonary surfactant. No side effects attributable to ambroxol therapy were observed in the treated infants.

[Epidemics of Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal care unit]. / Epidemia da Staphylococcus aureus in un reparto di patologia neonatale.

The work describes an epidemic infection by Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus in a N.I.C.U. which took place during the first six months of 1986. Hospital systemic infection supported by M.R.S.A. are frequently noticed in N.I.C.U. This is related, on the one side with a selection of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains inside the hospital premises and, on the other side with increased survival of high infectious risk neonates who are subjected to invasive medical manoeuvres. The cases reported include 7 neonates (5 of which were preterms) who were affected by a severe sepsis. From an epidemiological study it appeared that M.R.S.A. strain was introduced in N.I.C.U. by a neonate coming from the surgery after being operated for a diaphragmatic hernia. The isolation and the treatment of the carriers, the severe asepsis and the systematic disinfection of the Unit made it possible to eradicate the infectious strain. The infected neonates have been treated with an aimed antibiotic therapy, especially with Vancomycin, administration of blood and/or fresh plasma and/or immunoglobulins and/or concentrated granulocytes. The outcome was favourable for 3 neonates; of the others, 1 showed post-infectious neurological sequelae and 3 died (they were however affected by other severe associated diseases).

[Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita. Description of a further case]. / Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita. Descrizione di un nuovo caso.

A new case of Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita is reported. This disease is characterized by a persistent vascular mottling of the skin generally on the limbs. In our case the lesions were present on almost the entire body even if one side was more affected, this one was also lipotropic. The face of the child was asymmetric because of the jaw's hypoplasia and nose curvature. The examination of the deep vessel did not show any abnormality but the possibility of future vascular defects as varicosities must be considered. The nosological entity of this disease is discussed.

[A case of neonatal listeriosis]. / Su di un caso di listeriosi neonatale.

The AA describe a case of neonatal sepsis caused by Listeria monocytogenes observed in their Intensive Care Unit. The preterm neonate, born at the 30th week of gestational age, died after three days, showing clinical signs of sepsis and severe respiratory distress. Although the anamnesis of the mother revealed an episode of fever one month before delivery, the origin of which was not identified, it was not possible to isolate the Listeria in the mother. The AA discuss some clinical and therapeutical aspects of listeriosis; this infection is not very frequent in Italy, nevertheless it should not be underestimated either in the mother or in the neonate.