[Neonatal suppurative parotitis]

This report describes the case of a 10 days old newborn of a diabetic mother with gestosis, who developed erythema and swelling of the right cheek. A diagnosis of acute suppurative parotitis due to S. aureus was made. Following this case report the most important facts of epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnostics, and therapy of suppurative parotitis are discussed.

[Echocardiographic online quantification of left ventricular systolic function in children: comparison with conventional off-line determination]

Accurate and efficient echocardiographic on-line determination of left ventricular volume would be advantageous in the care of children with congenital heart disease and children with hemodynamic instability. The prospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the on-line automatic border detection system (acoustic quantification: AQ) for determination of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction in comparison to the conventional off-line method (manual tracing). 107 patients were enrolled in the study. The ages ranged from 0.1 to 18.8 years (mean 8.3 +/- 5.6). All patients were studied in the apical four-chamber plane for acoustic quantification (AQ) and manual tracing as well. Left ventricular volumes were determined using the mono-plane Simpson's rule. Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes obtained by AQ correlated well but were slightly underestimated compared to those determined by manual tracing (r = 0.99). Left ventricular endsystolic volumes by AQ correlated well but were also slightly underestimated compared to those obtained by manual tracing (r = 0.98). Mean ejection fraction was 61.1 +/- 6.8% by AQ compared with 61.5 +/- 5.9% by manual tracing. Linear regression analysis demonstrated good correlation: y = 0.77x + 14.1, r = 0.89; p < 0.001. Measurement of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction by AQ using automatic border detection compares well with measurements done by manual tracing. However, AQ tends to underestimate to some degree. The time necessary for acquisition of data was similar in both methods. AQ seems to be a promising method for real-time estimation of left ventricular volume, even in children.

[Normal Doppler ultrasound values of the anterior cerebral artery of premature and newborn infants with reference to cardiac function parameters and intestinal blood flow profile]

BACKGROUND

Hemodynamic impairements play an important role in the development of cerebral lesions. These changes may be detected by dopplersonographic flow measurements in cerebral arteries. For that reason it is necessary to establish normal values in relation to cardiac function and intestinal perfusion.

METHODS & PATIENTS

62 neonates with uncomplicated postnatal adaptation were investigated by dopplersonographic measurements of ant. cerebral artery (ACA) at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th day of life. Relations to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and systemic blood pressure were described. An index of parameters from ACA and sup. mesenteric artery was determined.

RESULTS

We demonstrated a significant increase of flow velocities and a decrease of pulsatility index in relation to increased gestational and postnatal age. There was a positive correlation between LVET and systemic blood pressure to peak flow velocities and a negative correlation to pulsatility index. The index of the parameters from ACA to sup. mesenteric artery was not depended on gestational age. The index of the flow velocities of both arteries increased from first to fifth day of life, whereas the index of the pulsatility index decreased.

CONCLUSION

With these results it is possible to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic changes by dopplersonographic measurements in relation to gestational and postnatal age and under consideration of cardiac function and mesenteric perfusion.

[Impaired postnatal cerebral perfusion after prenatal centralization-- increased risk of neonatal brain injury?]

Within the last years Doppler sonographic studies in high risk pregnancies had been included into obstetrical management strategies. Especially the high fetal risk in cases with severe intrauterine perfusion disturbances with signs of hemodynamic centralization--the brain sparing effect--had been established. In 11 premature newborns with prenatal sonographic recorded vasodilatation of cerebral vessels as a sign of hemodynamic centralization flow velocity waveforms of the anterior cerebral artery as well as left cardiac functional parameters (LVET, PEP) were measured at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th day of life. For the evaluation of the peripheral circulation the perfusion of the superior mesenteric artery was recorded by Doppler ultrasound. Additionally, the blood pressure, heart rate, pH and acid base status was considered. We used 25 premature newborns of corresponding gestational age and normal prenatal Doppler sonographic findings as a control group. In the group with prenatal brain sparing effect we could demonstrate a remarkable increase of the pulsatility index as a result of extreme diminished diastolic blood flow velocity. 5 newborns showed signs of reverse diastolic flow. The difference to the control group was highly significant. Perfusion measurements in the superior mesenteric artery demonstrated corresponding results at the first day of life with significant increased PI and diminished diastolic flow velocities. Our results demonstrate the great importance of prenatal diagnosis for the understanding of postnatal disturbances. The birth is not the endpoint of fetal hemodynamic centralization and the compensational mechanism is still continuing. Despite a well adapted cardiac function, normal hemodynamic situation and balanced metabolic findings remarkable changes of the impedance of the cerebral vessels are evident. Especially for the very immature newborns this may lead to the risk of leasions of the germinal matrix with following hemorrhage or ischaemic injury.

[Infantile type Bland-White-Garland syndrome as a cause of death in Rh incompatibility]

The faulty origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is with an incidence of 1:300,000 newborns a very rare heart defect. We report a case of a pregnancy with two intrauterine blood transfusions in the 30th and 32nd week of gestation because of Rh-incompatibility and fetal anaemia. Dopplersonographic and echocardiographic parameters were normal. In the 32nd week of gestation delivery was induced (birth weight 2240 g, cord pH value 7.35, Apgar-score 8/9/9). Under a therapy with respiration, blood exchange transfusion and cardiotonic drugs the newborn died in the second week. The autopsy showed a general immaturity, a haemosiderosis of spleen, liver and lungs, a marked cellular jaundice and signs of a multi-organ-failure. The sinus of the pulmonary valve was the origin of the left coronary artery. In case of a seriously impaired pumping action and after exclusion of other heart defects the Bland-White-Garland-Syndrome (BWGS) has to be considered. Although a prenatal diagnosis of BWGS is with high resolution-ultrasound possible, the early postnatal diagnosis seems to be more relevant.

[From infant nurse to "baby-friendly hospital"--promotion of breast feeding in the University Women's Hospital in Leipzig]

The attitude of medical professionals towards natural infant feeding is decisive in the support of mothers who want to breastfeed. The atmosphere in a "Baby-Friendly Hospital" is determined by the creation of conditions for breastfeeding on demand and for early, undisturbed mother-child contact. At the University Women's Hospital in Leipzig the development of good breastfeeding management was supported by the employment of a "breastfeeding nurse" and enhanced by continuing education for physicians, nurses and midwives in lactation and breastfeeding. In this way comprehensive, uniform information as well as practical guidance important for breastfeeding success were ensured for pregnant and young mothers.

[Severe protracted intrauterine impaired perfusion--a cause of enteral motility disorder in the premature infant]

The importance of measurement of blood flow in the fetal and uteroplacental circulations for the assessment of fetal wellbeing has been undisputed since some years. The present study is designed to prove if any relationship exists between severe hemodynamic disturbance in fetal as well as uteroplacental vessels and the occurrence of postnatal impairment of intestinal motility. The progress of 130 children, born in the University Women's Hospital Leipzig between 1991-1993 and with birth weights below 1500 g, has been analyzed. Doppler ultrasound examinations for detection of impairment in fetal and uteroplacental circulation were performed in all cases during pregnancy. A severe impairment of blood flow in the above mentioned circulations was defined by the presence of pathological pulsatility or resistance indices in both fetal and uteroplacental vessels as well as absent end diastolic flow in the umbilical artery and signs of centralization in the fetus. A severe hemodynamic impairment was found in 27 children and 26 of these were classified as severe hypotrophic after birth. The progress of these children was compared with this of other hypotrophic and euthrophic premature babies who had not revealed hemodynamic abnormalities. The incidence of disturbed postnatal intestinal motility (delayed meconium excretion, abdominal distention, retrograde peristalsis, subileus) was significantly higher in hypotrophic neonates with hemodynamic abnormalities in the course of pregnancy. Four of these newborns underwent surgery and surgical findings did not correlate with enterocolitis. The resumption of oral food intake for neonates who had hemodynamic impairments during pregnancy was delayed compared with the control groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[External ventricular drainage--a possibility in therapy of progressive posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus in extremely premature newborn infants]

7 premature infants with progressive posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus were treated by means of external ventricular drainage (birth weight: 1050 gms, gestational age: 27.7 wks). All infants were generally unwell and were ventilated. The progression of hydrocephalus was well controlled during the drainage period in each patient. We believe external ventricular drainage is an effective form of therapy in premature infants with posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus until the time of insertion of a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.