New ultrasound evidence appears to link prenatal brain damage, cerebral palsy

Article Abstract:

Cerebral palsy is a form of paralysis affecting both sides of the body that results from defects in brain development or injury at birth. Ultrasound images of newborns have been obtained that show that brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy may occur as early as two weeks before birth and may not be related to problems of delivery or other childbirth injuries. In a recent study, 11 of 512 premature infants examined by ultrasound within a week of birth were shown to have brain cysts, or sac-like structures, that were associated with the development of cerebral palsy. Since cysts require between two and six weeks to develop, the detection of cysts within a week of birth suggests that brain injury leading to the development of the cyst occurred before birth and the subsequent development of cerebral palsy was unrelated to injury at childbirth. It is proposed that the brain cysts are associated with the later development of nervous system abnormalities. In another study, only 40 of 189 children with cerebral palsy had suffered asphyxia, or insufficient oxygen intake, at birth. In addition, 27 of these 40 children had coexisting birth-related problems, such as congenital defects, low birth weight, or microcephaly, an abnormal smallness of the head. The causes of most cases of cerebral palsy are not known, and this disorder is difficult to predict. Previously, cerebral palsy was thought to result from brain asphyxia caused by problems at labor. The incidence of birth-related asphyxia has decreased, but not that of cerebral palsy, which occurs in 2.5 of 1,000 live births, and no cause can be determined in 75 percent of cases. Cerebral palsy is related to birth-related asphyxia in only 3 to 13 percent of cases, and more than 90 percent of cases cannot be prevented by an obstetrician. Ultrasound screening of the fetus and newborn may prevent lawsuits and protect against malpractice allegations but would be very costly. A no-fault cerebral palsy insurance plan may be a more cost-effective way of protecting physicians and also help victims of cerebral palsy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Cerebral palsy, Medical malpractice, Obstetricians

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Calcitonin assay may help identify burn patients at risk for respiratory distress

Article Abstract:

The major cause of death in burn patients is a damaged respiratory system, which results from inhaling the products of combustion. Recent advances in treating burned body surfaces have now made the extent of respiratory injury a better prognostic factor than the proportion of burned body surface. If the degree of internal inhalation injury could be accurately evaluated early in the recovery process, treatment could be initiated immediately. However, signs of respiratory injury often do not appear until several days after the fire, and it is difficult to distinguish which patients will develop this complication. Burns that appear minor may be associated with major inhalation damage, and no reliable early marker yet exists. Calcitonin, a hormone released by cells in the lung in response to oxygen deprivation, toxic gases, cigarette smoke, and other stimuli, is a substance that seems promising for use as a marker. Detection of high levels of calcitonin in the blood of a burn patient can lead physicians to monitor the patient carefully for respiratory complications. One research study found that the average calcitonin level among burn patients increased dramatically 24 hours after injury, and that levels were significantly lower in patients who survived. No correlation was found between calcitonin levels and area of skin burned. Such an assay could also be used for firefighters or others who are not obviously injured, but who may suffer from inhalation injury. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Evaluation, Injuries, Measurement, Burns, Respiratory system, Burns and scalds, Burn therapy, Respiratory insufficiency, Respiratory organs, Calcitonin

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Biomagnetometry provides a new compass for exploring the brain and heart

Article Abstract:

A new and exciting development in the field of radiology is biomagnetometry, or biomagnetic imaging; this ultra-high technology is expected to have applications in neurology, cardiology, and psychiatry. Biomagnetic imaging measures the electrical activity occurring in certain body systems. The computerized scanners used provide a clear, three-dimensional image of electrical activity in the heart, brain, nerves and muscles, and the procedure is completely noninvasive. The physiological basis of biomagnetometry is that nerve cells create a small change in magnetic field when they generate tiny electrical signals. The magnetic fields deep within an organ such as the brain can be measured accurately by the scanners because the fields are not distorted by the intervening bone and other body tissues. Distortion limits clarity substantially in the procedure known as EEG (electroencephalogram), which is now considered crude compared to biomagnetometry. Scientists hope the new technique will aid in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, migraine, stroke, language disabilities, schizophrenia, brain tumors, and heart beat irregularities. The technology has a predictably high price; installation of a biomagnetic scanner costs over $2 million. But the cost will be justified, some experts believe, if the device prevents incorrect diagnoses and the futile treatments that follow. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Heart, Brain, Diagnostic imaging

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