Postoperative neurologic complications after open heart surgery on young infants

Article Abstract:

Most infants who undergo deep hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to repair heart defects do not suffer neurologic complications. Deep hypothermia CBP protects the patient's internal organs and provides a blood-free, stable area for surgeons. Researchers studied the neurologic outcomes and perioperative variables in 91 infants who had corrective heart surgery. Eighty-one percent of the infants were alert before hospital discharge. Infants put under deep hypothermia for more than 60 minutes were more likely to have reduced alertness, decreased muscle tone, and muscle twitches. Fifteen percent of the infants had seizures and 11% had a movement disorder accompanied by involuntary mouth or facial movements. In the infants who had cranial ultrasounds, more than half of the abnormal findings had been present before surgery. Eighteen percent of the infants died, most of whom had an interrupted aortic arch or severe left-sided heart lesions.

Complications and side effects, Surgery, Infants, Nervous system diseases, Hypothermia, Induced, Induced hypothermia, Cardiopulmonary bypass

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The impact of very low-birth-weight infants on the family is long lasting: a matched control study

Article Abstract:

Parents of very low-birth-weight infants (VLBWIs) may experience long-term stress. VLBWIs weigh less than four pounds at birth. Researchers surveyed the parents of 202 children who were between the ages of one and five. Half of these children were VLBWIs. The parents of VLBWIs experienced significantly greater financial burden, familial or social impact, coping problems, and personal strain than the other parents. Parents of VLBWIs with functional handicaps or developmental delays experienced more stress than the other parents. Stress was highest among low-income, poorly educated families with VLBWIs. The child's age did not affect parental stress level. Parents of VLBWIs had a keen desire to have more children, although the other parents were more likely to have actually had another child. More parents of VLBWIs than other parents believed that costs should not impact the decision to treat a tiny baby.

Psychological aspects, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Stress (Psychology), Parents

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Epoetin alfa therapy in infants awaiting heart transplantation

Article Abstract:

Epoetin alfa therapy may reduce the risk of infection and sensitization associated with blood transfusions for infants awaiting heart transplantation. Such infants may develop anemia because of all the blood tests they receive while awaiting surgery. A study of 11 full-term infants four to 54 days old found that 16 courses of daily epoetin therapy and four later courses of alternate-day epoetin therapy kept levels of red blood cells stable without producing any significant adverse effects. None of the infants experienced high blood pressure, seizures, or lack of white blood cells. Three of four patients who had heart transplants survived. Three of four patients who had palliative surgery survived.

Usage, Heart, Heart transplantation, Erythropoietin, Recombinant, Recombinant erythropoietin

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