Congenital syphilis presenting in infants after the newborn period

Article Abstract:

The incidence of syphilis among newborn infants is increasing in the US, particularly in urban areas. Immediate diagnosis of the disease in the newborn is essential so that treatment can be instituted. However, even when standard tests are performed, some infants with syphilis are not detected. Cases of undetected congenital syphilis at one hospital have been reviewed and are presented. During one year, seven infants between the ages of 3 and 14 weeks were admitted with congenital syphilis, although they had been diagnosed as syphilis-free at birth. Five mothers tested negative for syphilis (seronegative) before delivery, as did two mothers who were retested at delivery. Two more were not offered retesting at delivery, because they had a negative result during pregnancy. One declined retesting. The two women who did not undergo prenatal testing were seronegative at delivery. Six of the infants tested negative at delivery; one was not tested. When admitted to the hospital, all the infants, plus five mothers who had tested negative, had positive test results. (Not all mothers were available for follow-up.) The infants had signs and laboratory results indicative of multisystem disease, which was effectively treated with penicillin. At-risk babies may be difficult to identify, and technical considerations can affect test results. Mothers who tested negative during pregnancy probably acquired the disease late in pregnancy. Thus, maternal testing should be performed before delivery, and both mother and baby should be tested after delivery. Infants with fever and aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain), enlarged livers, or blood abnormalities, should also be tested for syphilis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Diagnosis, Prenatal diagnosis, Syphilis, Congenital, hereditary, and infantile, Congenital syphilis

---

Brief report: stenting of the ductus arteriosus as a bridge to cardiac transplantation in infants with the hypoplastic left-heart syndrome

Article Abstract:

Stenting of the ductus arteriosus may be an effective method for prolonging the lives of infants with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. Hypoplastic left-heart syndrome is a birth defect characterized by malformation of the heart. The survival of infants with this syndrome has improved with the introduction of heart transplants for newborns in 1985. The ductus arteriosus is a fetal blood vessel that usually closes before birth. It should remain open in infants with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome until a suitable donor heart is found. Stenting of the ductus arteriosus is a surgical procedure to maintain this opening. Five infants with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome underwent stenting of the ductus arteriosus. Four infants later had a successful heart transplant. One infant died from cardiac arrest 24 hours after surgery.

Usage, Surgery, Infants, Stent (Surgery), Stents, Ductus arteriosus, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome

---

RhD hemolytic disease of the newborn

Article Abstract:

Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect fetal blood cells in the mother's bloodstream may prevent many cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn. This disease is characterized by the destruction of the fetus's red blood cells because they are not RhD compatible with the mother. If the compatibility of the fetus can be detected early, it can be treated with blood transfusions before birth. A 1998 study found that PCR accurately detected all pregnant women who had an incompatible fetus provided it was performed in the second or third trimester.

Editorial, Prevention, Polymerase chain reaction, Rh factor, Erythroblastosis fetalis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Orbital emphysema causing vision loss after a dental extraction. Marketing dental implants: a step-by-step approach
• Abstracts: Intestinal parasites in Central American immigrants in the United States. Health care in the United States: our dynamic jigsaw puzzle
• Abstracts: Vitamin status of pediatric patients receiving long-term peritoneal dialysis. Optimal dietary substitution of racemic ketoanalogues for isoleucine in growing normal and uremic rats
• Abstracts: Neonatal detection of generalized resistance to thyroid hormone. part 2 Abnormal thyroid function test results in patients taking salsalate
• Abstracts: Noise and hearing loss. Infants tested for hearing loss -- United States, 1999-2001. Prevalence of hearing loss among children 6 to 19 years of age: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.