Murdina M. Desmond

Extrapyramidal dysfunction in an infant of a schizophrenic mother

An infant born to a schizophrnic mother, under treatment with phenothiazinederivatives during pregnancy, presented with bizarre motor activity and neurologic findings compatible with a diagnosis of extrapyramidal disturbance. The abnormal findings gradually decreased over a 10 month period and subsequent development was satisfactory. A second infant born to the same mother showed tremors and hypertonus for a period of 6 months. During this pregnancy, phenothiazine therapy was continued but in markedly reduced dosage. It is postulated that the abnormal clinical behavior of both infants may be related to the medication taken by the mother during pregnancy and to a possible familial predisposition to drug-induced Parkinsonism.

The clinical behavior of the newly born. I. The term baby.

Detailed repeated observations were made upon 61 normal infants during the first 6 hours of life. Data were collected regarding general activity, autonomic activity, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. The average activity was determined, but wide fluctuations in these parameters were noted in these normal infants. The results are discussed in relation to the infants recovery from the birth process.

Monilia onychia; report of a case in a 51-day-old premature infant.

Summary 1. Monilia onychia, hitherto unreported in infants, is reported in a 51-day-old premature infant. 2. The mother of this patient had a vaginitis during pregnancy which cleared after delivery. No cultures were obtained. 3. The patient received penicillin, Aureomycin, and Gantrisin during her stay in the Premature Unit. Clinical thrush was present in the oral cavity forty-five days prior to the time when the onychia were first noted. 4. With growth of the nails, the lesions had virtually disappeared by the time the infant was discharged at 67 days of age. The nails appeared normal when the patient was again seen at 5 months of age. The patient received no treatment for the Monilia onychia.

Progressive Evaluation of the Newborn Infant

The transition period from intra-uterine to extra-uterine life is complex and influenced by many factors.Rapidity of physiologic change; history of pregnancy, labor and delivery; gestational age; and the infants course since birth must be considered in an adequate evaluation of the newborn.Optimum evaluation of the newborn would include serial examinations (1) in the delivery room, using the Apgar scoring system, (2) during the day of delivery, and (3) after the infant is 24 hours old.