Naomi Mor

Transient Hepatic Dysfunction in an Infant of an Epileptic Mother Treated with Carbamazepine during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

OBJECTIVE: A case is reported of a carbamazepine (CBZ)-treated epileptic mother whose newborn presented with transient hepatic dysfunction characterized by direct hyperbilirubinemia and high concentrations of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). DATA SOURCES: Information was obtained from case reports, clinical trials, and relevant bibliographic laboratory studies. DATA EXTRACTION: Data from case reports were evaluated and compared with those from our patient. The hepatotoxic reactions together with the microsomal enzymatic induction of CBZ were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: A female infant bom to an epileptic mother treated with CBZ throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding presented with transient direct hyperbilirubinemia and high concentrations of GGT. The characteristics of her transient hepatic dysfunction were: early appearance (during the first day of life); discrepancy between the normal liver enzymes and high GGT concentrations; slow decrease of GGT, which nevertheless remained at above-normal concentrations even after the complete disappearance of direct hyperbilirubinemia; and spontaneous resolution in spite of only occasional breastfeeding. The possible explanations of this transient hepatic dysfunction (like enzymatic induction) are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: CBZ-induced hepatic dysfunction in neonates appears to have different clinical expressions. Infants of epileptic mothers treated with CBZ throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding should be carefully monitored for possible adverse effects.

Possible association between acetazolamide administration during pregnancy and metabolic disorders in the newborn

Development of metabolic acidosis, hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia in a preterm infant whose mother was treated with acetazolamide throughout pregnancy is described. These neonatal metabolic alterations possibly related to acetazolamide administration in pregnancy have not been previously described in the literature. The metabolic acidosis was transient and resolved spontaneously despite breast feeding and continued administration of acetazolamide to the mother. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia resolved quickly with appropriate treatment with calcium gluconate and magnesium sulphate, respectively. At follow-up at ages 1, 3 and 8 months, the baby showed mild hypertonicity of the lower limbs requiring physiotherapy.

Types of hymen in the newborn infant

The incidence of various types of hymenal shape, its orifice and their interference with spontaneous vaginal discharge were investigated during the routine physical examination of 333 female infants within the first 24 h of life. A smooth hymen with a central orifice was observed in 53.5% of the female neonates, a folded hymen with a central orifice in 27.3%; folded hymen with eccentric orifice in 4.5%; an anterior opening of the hymen in 10.8%; posterior opening in 0.6%; hymenal band in 3%; almost imperforate hymen in 0.3% of the newborns. The presence of anterior opening, posterior opening, hymenal band or almost imperforate hymen may interfere with free vaginal discharge. A ruffled, irregular hymen and a hymenal band require a careful investigation for other genital malformations.

Prevalence of minor congenital anomalies in newborns of diabetic mothers

Minor congenital anomalies (MCA) were assessed in the offspring of 802 gestational diabetic mothers, 117 pre-gestational diabetic mothers, and 380 offspring born to normal mothers. The prevalence of infants with MCA ranged between 19.4% and 20.5% in the three groups without any significant difference between them. There was no correlation between the prevalence and type of MCA and the severity of the diabetic state. Neither was there any correlation between the prevalence or type of MCA and the appearance or type of major congenital anomalies.

Epispadias with Complete Prepuce and Phimosis in a Neonate

A rare type of epispadias in a neonate is described in which a complete phimotic prepuce was present. In this situation, the accurate diagnosis is very difficult and may be easily overlooked in the neonatal period. The broad, spadelike glans, the dorsally directed prepucial opening, and the urinary stream are signs previously described. The special shape of the raphe penis and the depression between the corpora cavernosa felt by palpation of the glans are useful new clinical signs to suspect this type of epispadias.

Tags and Bands of the Female External Genitalia in the Newborn Infant

A high incidence of hymenal tags (5.75%) and hymenal bands (2.7%) was found during the routine physical examination of 974 female infants within the first 24 hours of life. Hymenal tags usually disappear spontaneously as the estrogen effect diminishes. If they do not, biopsy should be considered. A simple test is proposed to demonstrate the superficial position of the hymenal band and its lack of connection with an internal structure.

Viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid in relation to in vitro fertilization

AbstractPurpose: To set the standard values of follicular fluid viscosity and refractive index, and to investigate a possible relationship between these physiological parameters and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment. Design and Results: 128 samples of follicular fluid were collected from 40 in vitro fertilization patients. Viscosity determinations (centipoise; mean ± SD) for shear rates of 23, 46, 115, and 230 were 2.04±0.86, 1.84±0.49, 1.48±0.27, and 1.38±0.22, respectively. The average (± SD) refractive index was 1.030±0.002. There was no significant difference between the values of thawed frozen fluids and fresh samples of the same specimens. The data showed no correlation between follicular fluid viscosity or refractive index and the presence of oocytes, their maturation grade or their fertilizing capacity. Conclusions: For the first time, values of the viscosity and refractive index of follicular fluid obtained during in vitro fertilization have been determined. However, these preliminary results did not reveal any relationship between the physiological parameters examined and the outcome of in vitro fertilization treatment.

Blood-stained maternal milk: prevalence, characteristics and counselling

Blood-stained maternal milk at delivery and during lactation was prospectively studied in 7774 livebirths over a period of 2 years (1986-1988). Eight mothers had this atypical breast discharge, a prevalence rate of 1:971 livebirths (0.1%). The characteristics of this phenomenon were: early appearance (frequently a short time after delivery), with normal bacteriologic and cytologic investigations, disappearance in 2 to 5 days, without adverse effects on the mothers and their babies, no recurrence after cessation, and occurrence in the previous pregnancies (3 of the 5 multipara). As a result, the best policy is to reassure the parents about the benign and transient course of this condition and to recommend continuation of breast feeding.