ObjectiveTo measure and analyze the tortuosity of retinal veins in neonatal and premature infants quantitatively. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. The fundus images of the left eyes were selected from 30 healthy neonates and 30 premature infants without retinopathy of prematurity underwent RetCam screening. There were 16 premature infants with a history of oxygen inspiration. The tortuosity of superior temporal veins, inferior temporal veins, superior nasal veins, inferior nasal veins was measured separately using a self-developed computer program. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between tortuosity of retinal veins and birth weight, gestational age and correct gestational age. ResultsIn full-term neonatal infants, the vascular tortuosity of the nasal veins was significantly higher than the temporal veins (t=5.73, P < 0.01), while the superior veins and inferior veins showed no significant difference (t=0.39, P > 0.05). There was no correlation between vascular tortuosity of temporal (r=0.179, -0.175) or nasal veins (r=0.055, 0.345) with birth weight or gestational age (P > 0.05). In premature infants, the vascular tortuosity of the nasal veins was also significantly higher than the temporal veins (t=5.00, P < 0.01), no significant difference was found between the superior veins and inferior veins (t=0.39, P > 0.05). The vascular tortuosity of temporal veins of premature infants was negatively correlated with birth weight (r=-0.375, P < 0.05); however, no significant correlation was found with gestational age (r=-0.296, P > 0.05). The vascular tortuosity of the temporal retinal veins of premature infants with a history of oxygen inspiration was significantly higher than premature infants without a history of oxygen inspiration (t=2.517, P < 0.05), though no significant difference was found between the nasal veins (t=-0.261, P > 0.05). The vascular tortuosity of the temporal and nasal retinal veins of premature infants was both higher than neonate, but was not statistically significant (t=0.88, 1.50; P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe vascular tortuosity of the temporal veins was greater than the nasal veins in both full-term and premature infants, though no significant difference was found between superior and inferior veins. The vascular tortuosity of temporal veins of premature infants increased as birth weight decreased. The vascular tortuosity of the temporal retinal veins of premature infants with a history of oxygen inspiration was higher than premature infants without a history of oxygen inspiration.
Objective To observe the characteristics of images of ocular fundus obtained by computer-assisted imaging system of binocular indirect ophthalmosco p y (CABIO) in the healthy premature infants and the ones with retinopathy of prem aturity(ROP), and evaluate the value of the clinical practice of CABIO in ROP s creening. Methods From January, 2006 to December, 2006, we exa mined 150 prematur e infants in ROP screening procedure by using the computerassisted imaging sys t em of binocular indirect ophthalmoscope, beginning at the infantsprime;age of postn a tal 4-6 weeks or the corrected age above 32 weeks. The follow-up duration was co nfirmed according to the first examination results. The procedure of the operati on was recorded and the typical pictures were shot to obtain the images of the o cular fundus of the healthy premature infants and the ones with ROP. The charact eristics of the images were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Resu lts The typical images of normal ocular fundus and that with ROP in the 150 premature i nfants were successfully obtained by indirect ophthalmoscope. In normal fundus o f infants, the color of optic disc was pale, peripheral retina was not completel y vascularized and presented gray-tone in color;while all stages of ROP present ed dif ferent appearances under the indirect ophthalmoscope. Conclusions Computer-ass isted imaging system of the binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy can clearly observ e the characteristics of normal ocular fundus of premature infants and the ocula r fundus with ROP, and can save the objective examination results, which may pro vide significant references in screening and treating ROP.
ObjectiveTo summarize our experience of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy for surgical treatment of common congenital heart diseases in infants. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 369 infants undergoing open heart surgery through right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy in the 153th Central Hospital of People's Liberation Army from April 2009 to April 2013. There were 191 males and 178 females with their mean age of 8.2±3.1 months (range, 3-12 months)and body weight of 7.8±4.5 kg (rang, 4.5-11.2 kg). Surgical procedures included ventricular septal defect (VSD)repair in 290 patients, atrial septal defect (ASD)repair in 16 patients, VSD and ASD repair in 34 patients, VSD repair and mitral valvuloplasty in 4 patients, valvotomy for pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS)in 9 patients, ASD repair and valvotomy for PVS in 6 patients, correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in 4 patients, and correction of partial atrioventricular canal defect in 6 patients. ResultsSix patients (1.6%)died postoperatively. Postoperative complications included right atelectasis in 3 patients, right pneumothorax in 2 patients, pneumonia in 16 patients, incision fat liquefaction in 12 patients, third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient, cerebral air embolism in 1 patient, and reexploration for bleeding in 3 patients. A total of 295 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months after discharge. Residual VSD shunt was found in 4 patients, and mild mitral regurgitation was found in 2 patients. ConclusionClinical outcomes of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy during open heart surgery are satisfactory for infants with common congenital heart diseases, but strict indications and skillful surgical techniques are needed.
Objective To observe the retinal function of infa nts with retinopat hy of prematurity (ROP). Methods A total of 78 infants (156 ey es) aged from 4-5 months underwent full-field flash electroretinogram (ERG) examination. The am p litude and implicit time of a-and b-wave of ERG were detected to evaluate the i nfants' retinal function. Seventy-eight infants (156 eyes) included 33 healthy a nd full-term infants (66 eyes), 25 healthy premature children (50 eyes), and 20 infants (40 eyes) with ROP. Results Obvious ERG waveforms were recorded in all the fullterm and healthy premature children. Amplitude of combined b-wave wa s 388.7 mu;V in full-term infants and 336.7 mu;V in healthy premature children, whi c h was 64.4% and 55.6% of that of the healthy adults respectively. In infants wit h ROP, ERG was nonrecordable in 20 eyes (50％); amplitude of combined b-wave was 183.8 mu;V in the other 20, whose implicit time delayed obviously compared with that of fullterm infants. The amplitude of ERG of healthy premature infants de c reased significantly compared with that of the full-term infants. Conclusions Retina keeps growing after birth. ERG of healthy full-term chi ldren is not as developed as those of adults. The progress of retinal maturation in infants with ROP is slower than that in the full-term infants. ERG examination is an effecti ve method in evaluating retinal function of infants with ROP.
Objective To compare the changes between deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) with deep hypothermic low flow (DHLF) cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on pulmonary surfactant (PS) activity in infants with congenital heart disease. Methods Twenty infants with ventricular septum defect and pulmonary hypertension were assigned to either DHCA group or DHLF group according to the CPB methods respectively. Measurements of saturated phosphatidylcholine /total phospholipids (SatPC /TPL), saturated phosphatidylcholine/ total protein (SatPC/TP) and static pulmonary compliance were performed before institution of CPB, 5 minutes after cessation of CPB and 2 hours. Results The length of ICU stay in DHLA group was significantly longer ( P lt;0 05) than that in DHCA group. SatPC/TPL, SatPC/TP and static pulmonary compliance in DHLF group were significantly lower compared with DHCA group ( P lt;0.01). Conclusion DHLF could lower the PS activity level significantly as compared with DHCA in infants with congenital heart disease.
Prevention and treatment of infants and young children can avoid blindness, effectively reduce the incidence of children's blindness and vision loss. Eye diseases causing blindness in infants and young children mainly include retinopathy of prematurity, retinoblastoma, familial exudative retinopathy, persistent embryonic blood vessels, vitreous hemorrhage, congenital cataract, etc. Most of them are preventable and controllable, however, many diseases have strict requirements for the effective treatment time window. The basic form and path to carry out the prevention and control of blinding eye diseases in infants and young children are building a prevention and control system with a combination of multi-party medical forces, referral to pediatric eye disease institutions with relevant technical resources for further diagnosis and treatment, so as to achieve early detection, standardized treatment and visual training.