OBJECTIVES Kazakhstan's live-birth definition--that dates from the former Soviet Union (FSU) era--differs from that used by the World Health Organization (WHO). We studied the impacts of both live-birth definitions on the computations of the infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal and child health (MCH) planning in Zhambyl Oblast, Kazakhstan. METHODS We interviewed caregivers and abstracted ...

Continuous noninvasive monitoring of oxygenation in premature neonates with respiratory distress is essential to avoid the potential complications of hypoxemia and hyperoxia. The accuracy and reliability of pulse oximetry (using an Ohmeda Biox) was evaluated in 15 premature neonates. Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation readings closely approximated arterial oxygen saturation values analyzed by an ...

BACKGROUND In a recent study utilizing a saline-lavaged adult rabbit model, we described a significant improvement in systemic oxygenation and pulmonary shunt after the instillation of a novel synthetic peptide-containing surfactant, Synsurf. Respiratory distress syndrome in the preterm lamb more closely resembles that of the human infant, as their blood gas, pH values, and lung mechanics deter...

Background & Aims: Retinopathy OF prematurity (ROP) is a developmental disorder of retinal vessels in premature neonates. In recent years, because of advances in the care of neonates hospitalized in equipped Intensive care units, retinopathy of prematurity has become a major cause of blindness in those who are survived. This study assessed the incidence and severity of retinopathy and related r...

OBJECTIVE To correlate the timing of treatment using exogenous surfactant with the main variables related to respiratory distress syndrome or prematurity. METHODS A historic cohort study between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007, including very low birth weight newborns (birth weight <1,500 g) admitted to the hospital and who required surfactant therapy. Newborns were divided into three study...

A 69-year-old man with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) was on amblatory oxygen inhalation therapy (3 L/min) and scheduled for percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty (PTPA). The patient's New York Heart Association functional status was class III with recent worsening of dyspnea and apparent leg edema. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed right ventricular enlar...

OBJECTIVE To describe a birth cohort which started in 2004, aiming to assess pre and perinatal conditions of the newborns, infant morbimortality, early life characteristics and outcomes, and access, use and financing of health care. METHODS All children born in the urban area of Pelotas and Capão do Leão municipalities (Southern Brazil) in 2004 were identified and their mothers invited to joi...

Children born preterm often exhibit reduced lung function and increased severity of response to respiratory viruses, suggesting that premature birth has compromised proper development of the respiratory epithelium and innate immune defenses. Increasing evidence suggests that premature birth promotes aberrant lung development likely due to the neonatal oxygen transition occurring before pulmonar...

INTRODUCTION Infants born between the 34(th) - 36(th) week of pregnancy account for 75% of all preterm infants. Their seemingly slight immaturity is related to serious health problems. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to analyse perinatal factors that influence the occurrence in infants of such problems as respiratory failure, metabolic problems and early onset sepsis (EOS). MATERIALS AND...