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Background In the intensive care unit, the use of continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) in children with altered mental status often results in the detection of non-convulsive seizures (NCS). Children with influenza can occasionally display altered mental status, but the prevalence of NCS in children with influenza with altered mental status is yet to be determined. This study determined the prevalence of NCS in pediatric patients with altered mental status associated with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Methods We retrospectively reviewed admissions to the pediatric intensive care unit between September 2009 and February 2010 and confirmed the presence of NCS on cEEG in children with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and with altered mental status. Results Of the 15 patients (aged 41−159 months old), NCS was identified on cEEG in five children (33%). Conclusions Approximately one-third of the children infected with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 with altered mental status had NCS. Further research is needed to determine if the detection and management of NCS improve outcome in these children.

The optimal timing of decompressive craniectomy in pediatric patients after presentation with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction is unknown. We report herein the case of a previously healthy 6-year-old Japanese girl who had good outcome after emergency decompressive craniectomy 116 h after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. This case suggests that the timing of decompressive craniectomy can be delayed until deterioration of neurological findings and, compared with adults, a more prolonged time course for surgical intervention might be acceptable.

Background The aim of this study was to identify predictors of neurologic damage in children with febrile seizures or altered consciousness within 6 h of seizure onset. Methods The present study included 86 children (age range, 4–159 months old), who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for complex febrile seizures on admission between October 2002 and November 2008. Using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPC), the children were classified into two groups: poor outcome (PCPC = 2–6) and good outcome (PCPC = 1). Clinical profiles and laboratory findings were compared between the groups. Results Of the 86 children, 17 fell into the poor outcome and 69 into the good outcome group. Using univariate analysis, three early risk factors for poor outcome were identified: (i) consciousness disturbance or hemiplegia at 6 h from onset; (ii) refractory status epilepticus; and (iii) elevation of aspartate aminotransferase to >90 IU/L within 6 h of onset. Using these criteria, children in the poor outcome group were identified with a 94% sensitivity and 67% specificity rate (odds ratio, 36.6; 95% confidence interval: 4.87–1560). During the study period, the inpatients who met the criteria for acute encephalopathy also fell into the poor outcome group. Conclusions The development of neurologic damage in children with complex febrile seizures can be predicted within 6 h of onset, using the identified risk factors. The authors propose an assumption of severe febrile seizures (SFS) in children who fulfill these risk factors. Using SFS as an inclusion criterion, an interventional study for acute encephalopathy can be designed.

BACKGROUND In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), hemodynamics in very low-birthweight infants are generally examined for oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. The present study examined how changes in cerebral circulation in preterm infants can be evaluated by the SpO2 monitoring method with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect the cerebral circulation. METHODS The study was conducted in 11 low-birthweight neonates with a mean weight of 1252 g (940-1948 g), mean post-conceptional age of 28.9 weeks (28-31 weeks) and in whom a total of 145 apneic episodes were examined. Changes in cerebral circulation at the apneic attack were evaluated by two parameters of Delta HbD ( micro mol/L) for reduction in cerebral oxygenation and Delta cHb (mL/100 g brain) for variation in cerebral blood volume using the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). RESULTS There was a tendency for a reduction in cerebral oxygenation and a change in cerebral blood volume as SpO2 was reduced. In the event of apneic attacks where SpO2 was reduced to

Background: This study aims to determine the effect of differently positioned infant car seats on cardio­respiratory parameters in healthy full-term newborns. Methods: We examined 15 healthy term newborns for respiratory compromise due to normal restraint in a recommended infant car seat. There are currently two types of car seats available in Japan: a chair-shaped car seat and a bed-shaped car seat. Using a sleep apnea recorder, we simultaneously monitored heart rate, percutaneous oxygen saturation, chest impedance and nasal airflow in infants placed in each of the car seats and also placed in the supine position on a nursery cot. Episodes of oxygen desaturation below 95% and longer than 10 s (mild desaturation) and below 90% longer and than 10 s (moderate desaturation) were evaluated over 30 min observation period. Results: The amount of time infants spent in a sleep state was significantly longer in the car seats than it was on the cot (P = 0.0015 for bed-shaped, P = 0.0012 for chair-shaped) and there was no difference in this measure between the two types of car safety seats. Mean of oxygen saturation with the chair-shaped car seat (95.8%) was significantly lower than that with the bed-shaped car seat (98.8%) (P = 0.0008). Newborn infants laid on the cot showed no episodes of desaturation. Newborn infants placed in the chair-shaped car seat had significantly more episodes of mild desaturation (mean, 7.33 times in nine of 15 infants), whereas in the bed-shaped seat observed only once each in two infants (P = 0.008). Moderate desaturation was observed in four of 15 infants in the chair-shaped car seat, whereas not observed in the bed-shaped car seat (P = 0.068). Conclusion: The results suggest that prior to discharge the degree of oxygen desaturation that occurs when an infant is placed in a chair-style car seat should be checked.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of an end-tidal carbon monoxide corrected for inhaled carbon monoxide concentration (ETCOc) at the early neonatal period. The value would be useful for predicting subsequent hyperbilirubinemia in non-hemolytic full-term infants. Methods: The ETCOc levels were measured every 6 h during the first 72 h of life in healthy, full-term, non-hemolytic, newborn Japanese infants using a breath carbon monoxide analyzer. The ETCOc levels in hyperbilirubinemic infants were compared with those in non-hyperbilirubinemic infants. Hyperbilirubinemia was defined as the level of the peak total serum bilirubin concentration (TBC) greater than or equal to 257 μmol/L (15.0 mg/dL). The ETCOc measurement for predicting subsequent hyperbilirubinemia was evaluated with a receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Fifty-one infants were enrolled in the study. Seven of the 51 infants developed hyperbilirubinemia. The ETCOc levels in non-hyperbilirubinemic infants were decreased in the first 72 h after birth. However, those in the hyperbilirubinemic infants were not decreased significantly, and were higher than those in non-hyperbilirubinemic infants at 42, 48, 54 and 66 h of age. The ETCOc level at 42 h of age was the most predictive of subsequent hyperbilirubinemia by ROC analysis. At the cut-off level of 1.8 μL/L (p.p.m.), the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 86, 80, 40 and 97%, respectively. Conclusion: Increased ETCOc level in the early neonatal period is associated with subsequent hyperbilirubinemia, even in infants without hemolytic disease. The ETCOc measurement may be useful as a screening test for predicting hyperbilirubinemia without hemolytic diseases.

Background: In the present study, we investigated the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) therapy on extubation and pulmonary function in patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) who required long-term mechanical ventilation. In addition, we compared the effects of DEX therapy among CLD types. Methods: Twenty-two CLD patients who were ventilator dependent for 28 days or longer received DEX therapy for the purposes of extubation. A tapering dose of DEX, starting from 0.5 mg/kg per day, was administered for 7 days. Pulmonary function was measured at initiation of administration and 4 days after initiation. We evaluated static respiratory system compliance (Crs) and static respiratory system resistance (Rrs) adjusted by bodyweight. Chronic lung disease types were categorized according to the classification of the Ministry of Health and Welfare Research Project. We compared the effect of DEX therapy among CLD types. Results: Dexamethasone therapy was started at a mean (±SD) 45±11 days after birth and 32.1±1.3 weeks of postconceptional age in infants with a mean bodyweight of 939±153 g. After DEX therapy, extubation was successful in all 22 patients. Following DEX administration, Crs was significantly increased from 0.69±0.13 to 1.17±0.21 mL/cm H2O per kg. In contrast, Rrs did not show any clear changes. Comparing CLD types, no difference was observed for Crs and Rrs in each disease type. Conclusions: Dexamethasone was administered to CLD patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation for the purposes of extubation and extubation was successful in all patients. It was found that Crs was increased in all patients following DEX, regardless of CLD type. The increase in Crs following DEX administration may have been related to successful extubation.

Background: This is the first report about a prospective clinical investigation to study the efficacy and safety of nitric oxide (NO) inhalation in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) in Japan. Methods: Patients in the present study had to meet the following entry criteria: (i) they had to be younger than 7 days of age; (ii) they had to have evidence of PPHN as defined by echocardiograph; (iii) they had to have severe systemic hypoxemia under mechanical ventilation at 100% oxygen supplementation; and (iv) they had to have a failure to respond to conventional therapies. Patients were excluded from this trial if they had any of the following: hypoplastic lung, structural cardiac lesions or severe multiple anomalies. Results: Nitric oxide inhalation therapy was performed in 68 infants who had severe PPHN at 18 hospitals between May 1995 and May 1997. At birth, 21 of 68 infants (31%) weighed less than 1500 g and 39 infants weighed more than 2500 g. The diagnoses associated with PPHN were as follows: 27 infants had meconium aspiration syndrome, 15 infants had dry lung syndrome, nine infants had congenital diaphragmatic hernia, six infants had respiratory distress syndrome, three infants had pneumonia and eight infants had other diagnoses. The mean oxygenation index (OI) before NO inhalation therapy in 68 infants was 43.2; 55 infants (81%) had good responses. Conclusions: These results may be valuable for further randomized controlled and double-blind trials in Japan to evaluate whether NO inhalation therapy is more effective than conventional therapy in infants with severe PPHN.

In order to clarify the difficulties which handicapped people experienced in the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake disaster, 678 families with handicapped children were studied 1.5 months after the earthquake. All the students who were enrolled in this study were going to some type of school or training classes for handicapped children in January 1995. The study was completed between 1 and 10 March. The questionnaires which were designed for this study consisted of three parts: the difficulties which the families were faced with, their requirements for social and medical services and the symptoms and reactions of their children after the earthquake. A total of 466 answers were obtained from their parents. The kinds of difficulties differed between the families of mentally retarded children and those of the physically handicapped. While many parents with physically handicapped children desired better medical information or materials, many parents with mentally retarded children wanted better care services for their children. Physical and psychological effects of the earthquake were only temporary in most cases. However, some of the handicapped children were still suffering from such reactions as of 10 March. From the results of our study it became evident that a systematic relief program for these handicapped people should be established. The relief program should include the distribution of information regarding medical and social services. Psychological reactions such as panic, excitement and suppression of mental activity were still observed in some handicapped children on 10 March. Further observation will therefore be necessary.

Serum unbound bilirubin concentrations (UBC) and serum total bilirubin concentrations (TBC) were measured serially in 138 low birthweight (LBW) infants treated with phototherapy for non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia. We attempted to assign the suitable critical UBC levels for predicting bilirubin encephalopathy into two different birthweight groups: a very low birthweight (VLBW) group (birthweight < 1,500 g) and an LBW group (birthweight between 1,500 g and 2,499 g). Twelve infants were diagnosed as 'at risk' for kernicterus, of whom 11 had signs of acute bilirubin encephalopathy and received exchange transfusion. One VLBW infant had neurological sequelae at a 3 year follow-up, although exchange transfusion was not carried out because of low TBC. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting kernicterus were calculated at different UBC levels between 0.6 microgram/dl and 1.5 micrograms/dl and TBC levels between 8 mg/dl and 26 mg/dl. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves plotted for UBC as a predictor of kernicterus were clearly shifted up and to the left compared with the curves for TBC in the VLBW and LBW groups. Thus, the UBC measurement may well provide a more rational basis for evaluating the risk of kernicterus in LBW infants. The optimal cut-off points were derived from these curves. In the VLBW group, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 96% for a UBC of 0.8 microgram/dl, and 80% and 64% for a TBC of 11 mg/dl. In the LBW group, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 98% for a UBC of 1.0 microgram/dl and 71% and 78% for a TBC of 16 mg/dl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The usefulness of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in the early detection of neonatal infection was studied using a special laser nephelometric apparatus (CRP-1), by which CRP concentrations could be quickly determined in the nursery, with only a small amount of serum (20 microL). Initial serum CRP concentrations of samples obtained from 90 infants suspected to have sepsis and/or meningitis were evaluated. Of the 90 infants, 25 showed culture-proven septicemia and/or bacterial meningitis, while 18 were considered to be infectious based on clinical signs and positive sepsis work-up even though cultures were negative. 47 infants had negative cultures and sepsis work-up and showed a favorable clinical courses. Statistical analysis for the evaluation of serum CRP at the level of one mg/dL was performed. False negative CRP was demonstrated in seven of 25 infants with culture-proven sepsis and/or meningitis (28%) and in 4 of 18 infants with other infections (22%). On the other hand, seven of 47 (15%) non-infected infants showed false positive results. The specificity and sensitivity of serum CRP determination were 85% and 74%, respectively, for all patients, and 85% and 72%, respectively, for patients with sepsis and/or meningitis. The sensitivity varied with the pathogens. We conclude that, while the initial CRP values alone are unsatisfactory for deciding the need for antibiotic therapy, CRP is useful in the early detection of neonatal infections, and its measurement by this new equipment should available in the nursery.

To assess hemolysis in hyperbilirubinemic infants with ABO isoimmunization, we measured the carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) concentrations in full-term infants with ABO isoimmunization during the first week of life. Two groups of infants, ABO compatible (n = 34) and ABO incompatible (n = 30), were further divided into two groups with and without hyperbilirubinemia. All the infants from ABO incompatible pregnancies showed a positive indirect Coombs' test. The groups with hyperbilirubinemia included infants with maximum serum total bilirubin levels about 15 mg/dL and infants treated by phototherapy or exchange transfusion. In the ABO incompatible infants, the HbCO levels in those with hyperbilirubinemia were significantly higher than in infants without hyperbilirubinemia during the first week after birth (p less than 0.01 at 24, 72, 120 hours after birth, respectively). The levels of HbCO in the ABO incompatible infants with hyperbilirubinemia were significantly higher compared with the levels in the ABO compatible infants with hyperbilirubinemia (p less than 0.05 at 24 hours, p less than 0.01 at 72 and 120 hours after birth, respectively). HbCO measurement may facilitate the early diagnosis of hemolytic disease and the prediction of jaundice caused by ABO isoimmunization.