Defective oxidative metabolic responses of neutrophils from stressed neonates.

Oxidative metabolic responses of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were assessed in 24 stressed neonates and 22 well, term infants utilizing particulate and soluble stimuli. Stressed neonatal PMNs demonstrated a depressed CL response to zymosan, whereas O2- production for both normal and stressed PMNs of neonates was significantly elevated compared to that in PMNs from adults. These results were not ascribable to phagocytosis since it was comparable in all groups using radiolabeled bacteria. Stressed neonates' PMN responses to soluble stimuli were significantly elevated when compared with those from well neonate and adult controls. Enhanced responses were most prominent in the most severely stressed infants. Treatment of neonates' PMNs with the antioxidants vitamin E and DHB partially corrected the abnormalities, suggesting peroxidative damage to the PMN membrane had occurred. The oxidative metabolic abnormalities of neonates' PMNs are consistent with either a defect in HMPS activity, a defect in functioning of the later portions of the respiratory burst, or a stimulus-specific abnormality in respiratory burst activity.

A computerized single entry system for recording and reporting data on high-risk newborn infants.

A computer-assisted system for data collection in an intensive care nursery is described. Maternal history, infant history, diagnoses, and treatment are sequentially identified on a single form and then entered in batches into a computer at the time of patient discharge. Computer production of a discharge summary and letters to referring and follow-up physicians from a single data-entry form account for an approximately 80% savings in physician record-keeping time per patient. Accuracy of the data is approximately two and one-half times greater than with existing methods of data gathering. Survey of disease occurrence and case fatality rates are rapidly available.