Use of intravenous immunoglobulin in neonates with haemolytic disease and immune thrombocytopenia

Background/Aim. Intravenous immunoglobulin is a blood product made of human polyclonal immunoglobulin G. The mode of action of intravenous immunoglobulin is very complex. It is indicated in treatment of neonatal immune thrombocytopenia and haemolytic disease of the newborn. The aim of the study was to present our experience in the use of intravenous immunoglobulin in a group of term neonates. Methods. We analysed all relevant clinical and laboratory data of 23 neonates who recieved intravenous immunoglobulin during their hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Mother and Child Health Care Institute over a five year period, from 2006. to 2010. Results. There were 11 patients with haemolytic disease of the newborn and 12 neonates with immune thrombocytopenia. All of them recieved 1-2 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin in the course of their treatment. There was no adverse effects of intravenous immunoglobulin use. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin led to an increase in platelet number in thrombocytopenic patients, whereas in those with haemolytic disease serum bilirubin level decreased significantly, so that some patients whose bilirubin level was very close to the exchange transfusion criterion, avoided this procedure. Conclusion. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin was shown to be an effective treatment in reducing the need for exchange transfusion, duration of phototherapy and the length of hospital stay in neonates with haemolytic disease. When used in treatment of neonatal immune thrombocytopenia, it leads to an increase in the platelet number, thus decreasing the risk of serious complications of thrombocytopenia

Atypical presentation of cystic fibrosis: Obese adolescent with hypertension and pseudo-Bartter’s syndrome

Introduction. Infants with cystic fibrosis may fail to thrive despite recommended caloric intake because of electrolyte disurbances caused by salt depletion resulting in hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis or pseudo-Bartter's syndrome. In most patients reported symptoms began in infancy, but it may be an initial presentation of disease in a previously healthy adolescent. Case report. A 15-year-old boy was admitted for evaluation of recurrent episodes of malaise associated with dehydration and acute renal insufficiency. Laboratory analysis showed hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis with hyponatremia and hypokalemia. On admission the boy was obese, with body weight of 95.5 kg (> P97), height 174 cm (> P75), and body mass index of 31.2 kg/m2 (> P95). Physical examination was inconclusive. Blood pressure holter monitoring proved significant systolic hypertension. Routine urinalysis, protein and electrolyte levels in urine were normal. Plasma renin and aldosteron were normal. Sweat chloride concentration was 63 mmol/L. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of atypical presentation of cystic fibrosis in an adolescent presented with pseudo-Bartter's syndrome and signs of obesity and hypertension. We suggest that every patient with hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis should be evaluated for cystic fibrosis

Two seasons' experience with pandemic A H1N1 influenza infection in neonates

There are only a few reports on influenza A H1N1 infection in neonates. In this paper, we present our additional experience on the clinical characteristics, epidemiology and treatment of influenza A H1N1 (2009) infection in 10 newborn infants (aged 9-24 days). Influenza A H1N1 infection was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The majority of neonates presented with fever, respiratory symptoms and lethargy. The respiratory illness ranged from mild symptoms to severe pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. Antiviral treatment with oseltamivir was started in five patients (50%). One lethal outcome was observed, while nine patients (90%) had complete recovery. To our knowledge, this is the largest presented series of neonatal cases with different clinical symptoms. We discuss the necessity of initiation of oseltamivir in infants with different clinical features