morphine and Leukomalacia--Periventricular

A review of meconium pathophysiology and its contribution to the incidence of postnatal neurological handicap.. Reviewed article.. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Charles University and Faculty Hospital Plzen, Czech Republic.. Meconium can be a cause of infant neurological handicap. Two main pathogenetic pathways are mentioned. 1. Meconium (and its components: bile acids) may have a direct vasoconstrictive effect on umbilical and placental vessels. This way still remains controversial. 2. Meconium as a possible cause of intraamniotic infection results in a release of fetal cytokines (TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6), which can damage myelinogenesis in periventricular white matter.. Meconium in premature labour is a higher risk factor compared to term delivery. 41% of premature infants were diagnosed as having CP when meconium was present compared to 10% in the same group with clear amniotic fluid. The incidence in term pregnancy with meconium present is 0.4% compared to 0.3% in a population without any obstetrical risk.. Ultrasonographically found periventricular leukomalacia is the most reliable sign of subsequent cerebral palsy or other neurological sequelae.

Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Brain Damage, Chronic; Cerebral Palsy; Chorioamnionitis; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Leukomalacia, Periventricular; Meconium; Placenta; Pregnancy

The incidence of preterm meconium staining of the amniotic fluid (MSAF) is uncertain. It may be an indicator of possible listeriosis. It is unclear how great this risk is or whether preterm MSAF is a risk factor for adverse neonatal outcome.. To investigate the incidence of preterm MSAF, the incidence of associated maternal and neonatal infection, and the outcomes of the infants at discharge.. Retrospective case-control study.. Infants < 33 weeks gestation with preterm MSAF born in the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion, Edinburgh between 1 January 1994 and 2 January 2001 were matched with the next infant of the same sex and gestation with clear liquor. Maternal and infant characteristics, culture results, placental histology, and clinical outcomes were compared.. Preterm MSAF was observed in 45/1054 (4.3%) infants below 33 weeks gestation. No maternal or infant listeriosis was identified in cases or controls. There was no significant difference in birth weight, Apgar score, or first pH between cases and controls. Preterm MSAF was associated with prolonged rupture of the membranes (odds ratio (OR) 3.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 10.49), but not maternal hypertension, sepsis, or chorioamnionitis. Severe (grade 3/4) intraventricular haemorrhage was significantly more common in infants with preterm MSAF (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.62 to 2.53). There was no significant difference in mortality. Early onset sepsis was observed in two cases and three controls.. Preterm meconium staining of the amniotic fluid may be associated with increased risk of intraventricular haemorrhage. It does not appear to be a useful indicator of listeriosis.

Topics: Amniotic Fluid; Birth Weight; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Chronic Disease; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Leukomalacia, Periventricular; Lung Diseases; Male; Meconium; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Prognosis; Scotland; Twins

To evaluate the obstetric antecedents of cystic periventricular leukomalacia and transient echodense periventricular lesions among preterm infants.. A cohort study of preterm singleton infants born between 25 and 33 weeks gestation.. Pavia, Italy.. Three hundred and forty-nine infants admitted to a Division of Neonatal Intensive Care who were screened for periventricular leukomalacia.. The obstetric factors in infants with either cystic periventricular leukomalacia or transient echodense periventricular lesions were compared to those in infants with negative cranial ultrasonographic findings. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and outcomes adjusting for confounders.. The prevalence of cystic periventricular leukomalacia and transient echodense lesions was 5.7% (20/349) and 14% (49/349), respectively. The main risk factors for cystic leukomalacia were first trimester haemorrhage (OR 4.49; 95% CI 1.63-12.39), maternal urinary tract infection on admission (OR 5.71; 95% CI 1.91-17.07), and neonatal acidosis (pH < 7.2) at birth (OR 5.97; 95% CI 1.93-18.52). Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR 3.95; 95% CI 1.42-10.98) and long term (> 72 hours) ritodrine tocolysis (OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.28-5.05) were associated with an increased risk of echodense lesions. The likelihood of overall leukomalacia (cystic plus echodense periventricular lesions) was increased among cases with meconium-stained amniotic fluid (OR 4.06; 95% CI 1.65-10.0), long-term ritodrine tocolysis (OR 2.56; 95% CI 1.38-4.72), maternal infection (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.0-3.0), and acidosis at birth (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.0-3.98).. This study confirms that maternal infection, acidosis at birth, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid increase the risk of periventricular leukomalacia in preterm infants. Long-term ritodrine use seems to increase the risk for transient echodense lesions.

Topics: Acidosis; Adult; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Cerebral Palsy; Cohort Studies; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Leukomalacia, Periventricular; Meconium; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Pregnancy; Risk Factors; Ritodrine; Tocolytic Agents; Urinary Tract Infections