Radiological manifestations of the skeleton, lungs and brain in Stueve-Wiedemann syndrome.

A total of 25 patients with the rare skeletal dysplasia Stueve-Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) have been evaluated during the last 11 years. Of all patients with clinical suspicion of SWS, skeletal and chest radiographs were obtained for classification of the underlying skeletal dysplasia. In one case, CT was carried out for the first time for further investigation of the midface hypoplasia. Typical conventional radiological findings and CT features were analysed and compared with published data. Early diagnosis of SWS was made by correlating radiological and clinical findings. Follow-up radiological examinations of the skeleton and of the chest were carried out in six children surviving infancy for evaluation of progression. Clinically, they suffered from progressive orthopaedic problems, recurrent aspiration pneumonia and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia, as well as cutaneous infections. Radiologically progressive bowing of the long tubular bones and progressive metaphyseal decalcification were present on follow-up skeletal radiographs. Skeletal abnormalities in SWS are so characteristic that an early post-partum diagnosis can be made by correlation of typical clinical and radiological findings. Few cases survive infancy. First, these patients face progressive orthopaedic problems and respiratory infections.

[Osseous abnormalities and CT findings in Stueve-Wiedemann-Syndrome (SWS)]. / Ossäre Manifestationen und CT-Befunde bei der seltenen Skelettdysplasie Stueve-Wiedemann (SWS).

PURPOSE: Analysis of typical conventional radiological and CT findings in our group of patients with the rare skeletal dysplasia Stueve-Wiedemann-Syndrome (SWS) and comparison with published data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 16 newborns with clinically dysmorphic features, dwarfism, and bowed limbs, radiographs of the chest and skeleton were obtained for classification of the underlying skeletal dysplasia. For the first time, computed tomography was performed for further investigation of midface hypoplasia. The early diagnosis of SWS could be made by correlation of the radiological and clinical findings. For evaluation of progression, follow-up radiological examinations of the skeleton were performed in four children surviving infancy. RESULTS: Clinically, the newborns with SWS showed dwarfism, midface hypoplasia, bowed extremities with contractures and had severe problems with respiration, feeding, and swallowing as well as episodes of hyperthermia. Skeletal radiographs revealed bowing of the long tubular bones, most pronounced at the lower extremities. Additional findings were internal triangular cortical diaphyseal thickening at the concave side of the bowing, wide metaphyses with abnormal trabecular pattern and radiolucencies. Four patients survived infancy. Clinically, they suffered from recurrent aspiration pneumonia and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia as well as form cutaneous and mucosal infections. The follow-up radiographs showed progressive bowing of the long tubular bones as well as progressive metaphyseal decalcification. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal abnormalities in SWS are so characteristic that an early post partum diagnosis can be made. However, a close cooperation between radiologists, clinicians, and geneticists is required for correlation of clinical and radiological findings. The few cases that survive infancy have progressing orthopaedic problems.

Novel genotype of mevalonic aciduria with fatalities in premature siblings.

Mevalonic aciduria is described in two very low birthweight siblings with unspecific clinical signs and recurrent septicaemia. Both died within the first 2 months of life. DNA analysis showed a novel mutation in the gene encoding mevalonate kinase.

Lipoprotein lipase deficiency and transient diabetes mellitus in a neonate.

Lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) represents a rare ( < 1:100000), life-threatening neonatal condition, and a challenge for dietary management. We describe a neonate who developed diabetes mellitus as a feature of LPLD, without evidence of pancreatitis.

Henna causes life threatening haemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Haemolytic crisis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient individuals following topical application of henna occurred in four children: a female neonate (haemoglobin 50 g/l, serum bilirubin 700 micromol/l), who recovered after exchange transfusion; a male infant (haemoglobin 28 g/l) who died despite transfusion; and two preschool children (haemoglobin 40 and 41 g/l respectively).

Effect of a calcium and phosphorus-enriched formula on bone mineralization and bone growth in preterm infants after discharge from hospital.

At discharge from hospital, 36 preterm infants (birthweight < 1,800 g) were randomized to be given either a standard formula or an identical formula enriched with calcium (47 vs. 80 mg/100 ml) and phosphorus (30 vs. 45 mg/100 ml) exclusively until they reached a corrected age of 3 months, thereafter beikost and other formulas were introduced into the diet. Weight, head circumference and radial and body length were measured and radial bone mineral content (BMC) and bone width (BW) determined by single photon absorptiometry at discharge, at 3 and at 6 months of corrected age. Additionally, an X-ray of the wrist was taken and serum alkaline phosphatase activity determined at discharge, and the latter repeated at 3 months. Bone mineral content, bone width, and the individual increments of both parameters were significantly higher in infants fed the enriched formula at 3 months of age, but these differences were less pronounced at 6 months.

Glycero- vs glucose-phosphate in parenteral nutrition of premature infants: a comparative in vitro evaluation of calcium/phosphorus compatibility.

In total parenteral nutrition (TPN) of premature infants, glycero- and glucose-phosphate have been recommended, and clinically used, because of their considerable compatibility with calcium. However, a systematic comparative in vitro assessment of the therapeutic potential and safety of these substances has not yet been provided. We investigated the stability of TPN solutions containing calcium-gluconate and glycero- or glucose-phosphate in high concentrations. Evaluation was performed by visual inspection, absorptiometry, light microscopy, measurement of pH, and determination of calcium concentration before and after microfiltration. Even under circumstances promoting precipitation of calcium and phosphate--such as body temperature, relatively high pH, and concentrations of calcium and phosphorus exceeding those necessary to provide intrauterine accretion rates, all but one of the examined TPN admixtures remained stable. Our data suggest that the use of glycero-phosphate, and particularly glucose-phosphate, together with calcium-gluconate, is an uncomplicated and safe procedure to administer simultaneously high amounts of calcium and phosphorus in TPN of premature infants.

Renal handling of hydrogen ion excretion in relation to maturity indices in premature infants fed human milk.

In 40 premature infants fed human milk with an actual gestational age of 261 +/- 16 days and an actual body weight of 1.06-2.75 kg, 44 urine samples were collected, and blood acid-base status was measured on day 32 (+/- 16) of life. In the urine, the following results (mean +/- SD) were obtained: urine pH 6.05 +/- 0.65, titratable acidity 0.24 +/- 0.14 mmol/kg/day, ammonium 0.78 +/- 0.25 mmol/kg/day, net acid excretion 0.83 +/- 0.47 mmol/kg/day. There was no significant correlation between renal net acid or ammonium excretion and actual body weight. However, urine pH was positively correlated with body weight. Obviously, premature infants with an actual body weight below 1.5 kg need a higher stimulation of renal hydrogen ion secretion to excrete the same amount of ammonium than those with an actual body weight of about 2.5 kg. The limited renal acidification capacity of very low birth weight infants is a risk factor for the development of late metabolic acidosis.

Biochemical evidence for the need of long-term mineral supplementation in an extremely low birth weight infant fed own mother's milk exclusively during the first 6 months of life.

In an extremely low birth weight infant fed expressed own mother's milk exclusively during the first 6 months of life, introduction of a human milk fortifier resulted in improvement of biochemical alterations consistent with metabolic bone disease of prematurity. Attempts to discontinue fortification at 9 weeks (discharge) and 21 weeks of age induced deterioration of biochemical parameters, demonstrating a persistent need for mineral supplementation during the whole period of breast-feeding. The effects of long-term human milk fortification are discussed.

Neonatal radiological aspect of enchondromatosis (Ollier's disease).

A neonatal case of enchondromatosis is reported on, presenting with typical clinical features and radiological changes at birth. At two years of age, the enchondromata had considerably enlarged, and diagnosis was established by biopsy. The radiological aspect of enchondromatosis in the neonate is described and compared to its development in early childhood.