Jen-Ruey Tang

Hepatitis B surface antigenemia at birth: A long-term follow-up study

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and outcome of hepatitis B surface antigenemia in newborns of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier mothers under the current immunoprophylaxis program. STUDY DESIGN From 1984 to 1993, 665 high-risk newborns born to HBeAg-positive HBsAg carrier mothers were prospectively recruited. The newborns were tested for HBsAg soon after birth, before hepatitis B immune globulin administration. All newborns received hepatitis B immune globulin within 24 hours after birth plus subsequent hepatitis B vaccination. Those who were seropositive for HBsAg at birth were regularly followed up for their hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, liver function profiles, and alpha-fetoprotein levels from 1984 to 1996. RESULTS Sixteen (2.4%) of the 665 subjects were found to be seropositive for HBsAg at birth, and all remained HBsAg-positive at 6 months of age. Twelve of the 16 received long-term follow-up care, and all were confirmed to have chronic HBV infection. Of the 12, 2 had HBeAg seroconversion, and 1 had alanine aminotransferase flares without HBeAg seroconversion. Delayed appearance of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) occurred in 2 without alanine aminotransferase elevation. CONCLUSIONS Current immunoprophylaxis strategy does not protect newborns with surface antigenemia, apparently acquired in utero, from becoming HBV carriers. Immunologic attempts to eliminate HBV may occur in carrier children infected in utero, despite their profound immune tolerance to HBV.

Rehospitalization of extremely-low-birth-weight infants in first 2 years of life

AIMS To determine whether (1) chronic lung disease (CLD) is the prime reason for extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant readmission during the first 2 years of life, (2) surfactant and other advanced therapies have reduced ELBW infant readmissions, (3) home oxygen therapy (HOT) is efficacious for this group. STUDY DESIGN The hospital records of these ELBW infants were reviewed retrospectively. Data on age, diagnosis, treatment, and duration of each hospitalization were compiled and analyzed for their association to CLD and to readmission for CLD and other reasons. SUBJECTS All 60 surviving infants with a birth body weight of less than 1001 g (ELBW) born from January 1993 to February 1998 were followed up to 2 years (mean 20.4 +/- 7.4 months) to evaluate their respiratory outcome. RESULTS Forty-two percent of these infants developed CLD. Upon discharge from the hospital, 28% (7/25) of the patients were given HOT for a median period of 60 days. Of the 47 ELBW infants who were studied the entire 2-year period, 72% were readmitted. Infants with CLD were readmitted more frequently (p=0.045) and had longer hospital stays during the first 2 years of life (p=0.034) than those without CLD. Respiratory illness was the main reason for readmission (55%) of these ELBW infants. The incidence of readmission due to respiratory tract infection was not significantly different in infants with CLD (61%) and infants without respiratory complications (44%) (p=0.159). CONCLUSIONS Infants with CLD (whether receiving HOT or not) showed no higher readmission rate due to respiratory infection, but the HOT group did have higher morbidity. The premature lung itself rather than the presence of CLD, as we would expect, makes ELBW infants more prone to readmission for respiratory illness.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the cord blood of premature neonates born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension☆☆☆

OBJECTIVES To estimate the cord blood levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in preterm infants and to study the relationship of these levels to pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and absolute neutrophil counts. STUDY DESIGN G-CSF and GM-CSF levels in the cord blood of preterm neonates (n = 74) either with or without maternal PIH were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Infants in the PIH group had lower white blood cell, absolute neutrophil, absolute lymphocyte, and monocyte counts. The levels of G-CSF in cord blood were significantly lower in infants whose mothers had PIH (P =.04) and in infants with neutropenia (P =. 01). G-CSF levels were positively correlated with both absolute neutrophil count (P =.02) and total white blood cell count (P =.01). GM-CSF was undetectable in all subjects. According to logistic regression with neutropenia as the dependent variable, only maternal PIH (P <.001), gestational age (P <.001), and G-CSF (P =.01) were independently related. CONCLUSION In this study maternal PIH and low gestational age were significantly associated with neutropenia in premature infants. Low G-CSF levels may contribute to the neutropenia that is commonly seen in infants born to mothers with PIH.

Comparison of the outcome of extremely-low-birth-weight infants between two periods

A comparison was made of the outcome of 73 neonates born with their birth weight of 500-999 gm in National Taiwan University Hospital during the period between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1996 (Period II), with the outcome of 21 such neonates born between April 1, 1988 and October 31, 1992 (Period I). Exclusion criteria included parental refusal for resuscitation, and major anomalies. Data were collected via a predetermined record sheet. The incidences of the extremely-low-birth-weight infants were 23/10,173 (0.23%) and 81/13,835 (0.59%) in Periods I and II, respectively. Early neonatal mortality rate was significant decreased in Period II (43% versus 14%). The limit of viability was improved from gestational age of 26 weeks or 700 gm to gestational age of 24 weeks or 600 gm. The incidence of neonatal morbidity (80% versus 50%) and total survival rate (48% versus 60%) have not changed significantly as seen in this limited number of cases. This study concluded that, with the introduction of exogenous surfactant and modern neonatal care, early neonatal survival rate and the limit of viability were improved.

Necrotizing enterocolitis complicated with perforation in extremely low birth-weight premature infants.

This study determined the incidence, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome in extremely low birth-weight (ELBW) premature infants with perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of ELBW (birth weight <1000 g ) premature infants with perforated NEC diagnosed and managed at National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) from January 1993 through December 2000. A total of 8 ELBW premature infants with perforated NEC were collected. The incidence of perforated NEC in ELBW premature infants was 5.1% (8 out of 158). The average age at onset of perforated NEC was 26 days. The most common clinical features were abdominal distention, decreased bowel sound and poor activity level. Dilated and fixed bowel loops, bowel wall thickening and ascites with stool-like substance drainage out from penrose drain tube were the predominant signs at the time of diagnosis of perforated NEC. Thrombocytopenia, elevated C-reactive protein and anemia were the major laboratory findings. All infants received a primary penrose drain in the acute stage of disease. The overall survival rate was 37.5% (3 out of 8). Death occurred due to nosocomial infection with sepsis in 3 patients and due to perforated NEC in 2 patients. Two of the three surviving patients started enteral feeding 19 and 41 days after the diagnosis of perforated NEC and tolerated oral feedings well; the third patient still required total parenteral nutrition two years after diagnosis. Although the clinical characteristics and radiographic findings of perforated NEC in ELBW premature infants were variable, brown color ascites with stool-like substance may be considered a significant sign of perforated NEC despite the absence of free air on radiography at the early stage of disease. Close observation of clinical symptoms and signs, more aggressive surgical intervention and prevention of the following nosocomial infection may have the opportunity to reduce the mortality due to perforated NEC.

Ovarian cyst with torsion presenting as a wandering mass in a newborn.

A case of ovarian serous cystadenoma with torsion presenting as a wandering abdominal mass is reported. A full-term baby girl was noted to have a left pelvic cyst by prenatal ultrasound at the 34th gestational week. After delivery, a series of work-ups, including ultrasonography and CT scan, revealed a cyst with fluid-debris level in the right pelvis. An ovarian cyst with torsion was suspected and surgical intervention was done when she was 7 days old. The operative findings confirmed a left ovarian cystic mass with torsion. A left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed smoothly. Pathology revealed the typical microscopic findings of ovarian serous cystadenoma, a benign epithelial tumor of ovary. We suggest that a wandering ovarian cystic mass in female fetus and newborn should be considered an indication for surgical intervention due to its high risk of torsion.

A proposal of screening guideline for retinopathy of prematurity in Taiwan.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the most important morbidity in premature infants. The latest American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) screening guidelines for ROP are mandatory for infants with birth weights < or = 1500 g or gestational ages (GA) < or = 28 weeks. To determine the appropriate upper limits for ROP screening in Taiwan in terms of birth weight and gestational age, we performed a retrospective review of all 617 infants who were born at the National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1999, and survived beyond 28 days of life and received eye-ground evaluation under our current ROP screening guidelines. From the start of our study, the criteria for screening was birth weight <2000 g or gestational age < 35 weeks. The maximal stage of retinopathy observed was recorded. We found no ROP greater than stage I in infants with birth weights > 1500g and GA > 31 weeks. In comparing with our current guidelines, lowering the screening criteria to birth weight < or = 1500g or gestational age < or = 31 weeks reduced the number of infants requiring screening by 37.2%, while no case of ROP greater than stage 1 was missed. However, five cases of stage 2 ROP would have been missed in our study if the gestational age cut-off was < or = 28 weeks as recommended by AAP. Therefore, we recommend that in the tertiary nursery in Taiwan, the gestational age < or = 31 weeks or birth body weight < or = 1500 g should be screened for ROP regardless of clinical condition. The screening for larger infants with high risk of ROP requires further discretion of the attending physicians.

Serum γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase Activity and Bile Acids in Normal Taiwanese Infants

To facilitate making a diagnosis of cholestatic liver disease in Taiwan, we have established reference ranges for serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) activity and bile acids in normal Taiwanese infants. The serum level of γ-GT activity was assayed in 90 normal Taiwanese infants and children aged between 2 days and 2 years old. These data were analyzed in twenty-three 0~3-month-old, twenty-four 4~6-month- old, and forty-three 7~24-month-old infants. The mean values of serum γ-GT activity were 47.4 ±26.6, 21.5±7.3, and 14.0 ±3.2IU/L for the respective age groups. The highest reference γ-GT values were 99.5, 35.8, and 20.3IU/L for the respective age groups. The mean values of serum γ-GT activity were highest in infants younger than 3 months, and these gradually decreased to the adult level with age (p＜0.01). Serum bile acids were measured in 24 premature and 56 full-term infants. The mean values of serum bile acids were 34.5±34.5μmol/L in preterm infants and 18.7±21.9μmol/L in full-term babies. The bile acid levels of preterm infants were higher than those in full-term babies (p＜0.01).

Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease and Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Report of Three Cases

Three infants with cyanotic congenital heart diseases (CCHD) had abdominal distension, poor activity at day 2, day 3, and day 23. The abdominal roentgenograms showed dilated bowel loops, pneumatosis intestinalis, and pneumoperitoneum. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was diagnosed. After medical and surgical intervention, one infant survived. In this report, we discuss the relationship between CCHD and NEC. The possible risk factors were also discussed, and it is recommended that NEC be a considered significant complication of infants with CCHD.

High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation for Infants and Children with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Two infants and two children suffered from severe hypoxemia, presenting as a ratio of arterial to alveolar PaO2 < 0.1, persisting for more than 3 hours in spite of high settings on conventional mechanical ventilator. Adult respiratory distress syndrome was diagnosed with the support of bilateral diffuse haziness on chest radiographs. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation with high-lung-volume strategy resulted in prompt decrease in oxygenation index and increase in ratio of arterial to alveolar P O2 in three (75%) of the 4 patients within 6 hours. After a mean duration of 96 hours, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation could be weaned off and conventional ventilation could be resumed at lower mean airway pressure in 3 patients. They continued to improve and finally recovered. The other one showed initially steady improvement on high-frequency oscillatory ventilation for 20 hours, but ultimately died of unresolved cytomegalovirus pneumonitis and intractable pulmonary hemorrhage. There were 2 episodes of pneumothorax developing during high-frequency oscillatory ventilation. After decreasing mean airway pressure and amplitude, the airleak resolved with chest tube insertion. We conclude that high-frequency oscillatory ventilation with high-lung-volume strategy may be an effective rescue therapy to relieve profound hypoxemia in infants and children with adult respiratory distress syndrome.