Khalid N. Haque

Intravenous immunoglobulin for prevention of sepsis in preterm and low birth weight infants

The effect of an intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin preparation given prophylactically to prevent neonatal sepsis was tested in preterm and low birth weight infants. Infants matched for gestational age, sex and birth weight (±250 g) were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 50 each, one group (Group C) being used as control. Group A received Intraglobulin® (Biotest Pharma, West Germany), 120 mg/kg intravenously, within 2 to 4 hours of delivery; Group B received the same on days 1 and 8. The control group received no immunoglobulin. The frequency of infection and serum immunoglobulin concentrations were determined in each group. Infection rate in the control group was 16% (8 of 50) while in each of the treated groups it was 4% (2 of 50) (P < 0.005). The immunoglobulin concentrations achieved in the treated group were significantly higher than the control group. No adverse effect of the therapy was noted during the study and at a 6-month follow-up. It is suggested that in nurseries where the infection rate is high, prophylactic intravenous polyvalent immunoglobulin therapy for the preterm and low birth weight infants may provide protection from infection.

Isolated asternia: an independent entity

Six cases of isolated asternia are described, their case histories and progress are reviewed. The relevant literature is reviewed and suggestions made towards etiology.

Perinatal Mortality at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh

ABSTRACT One of the major goals in perinatal practice is to achieve the lowest possible perinatal mortality. We evaluated the pattern of perinatal mortality at the King Khalid University Hospital (...

Outcome of Low and Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Case for Regionalization of Perinatal Care in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT The morbidity and mortality of all 259 low birth weight deliveries (between 500 and 2,500 grams) born at the King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between the He...

Neurological Screening in a Cohort of Infants Born at King Khalid University Hospital

ABSTRACT The rate of neurological abnormality in infants varies not only internationally but also locally, depending on multifarious factors. By instituting a neurological screening program based o...

Reconsideration of IgM-Enriched Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Neonatal Sepsis-Reply

—I am grateful for Dr Halls interest in our work. Indeed, the reason for not using the Fisher Exact Test was that our sample size was too small for each cell. We do not claim that we have proved the efficacy of IgM-enriched intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of neonatal sepsis. What we have tried to show is that this modality helps in improving the outcome but needs to be confirmed by larger studies. We are now comparing intravenous immunoglobulin with IgM-enriched intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of neonatal sepsis.

Periventricular/Intraventricular Hemorrhage in the Newborn

In a retrospective study spanning 4 years (1404-1407H) and including a total of 11,050 births, the incidence of periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage (PVH/IVH) in infants born at King Khalid ...

Theophylline Therapy for Apnea of Prematurity in Saudi Preterm Infants: Therapeutic Serum Level and Dosage

In a controlled study, 150 Saudi preterm infants were treated with 1.5 mg/kg/day of theophylline for apnea of prematurity. In 96.8% of infants the apnea was either reduced by more than 50% or aboli...

Food Poisoning Among Children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Food poisoning was diagnosed in 250 children admitted during May to July 1983, to the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The children ranged in age from 1 to 13 years...