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Query: UMLS:C0029713 (immaturity)
 4,335 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Several desirable techniques (rapid chromatogram development, planimetry, acetone precipitation of lecithin, and copper molybdate staining) used in other published lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio procedures were integrated into a single L/S ratio test. The resulting test requires only 2 ml of amniotic fluid, can be performed within 75 minutes, and is semiquantitative. Methodology tests showed a high degree of reproducibility without the need for a densitometer: Coefficients of variation for the standards and amniotic fluid samples were 11% and 4%, respectively. Also, a linear relationship was observed between the L/S weight ratios in synthetic mixtures and the corresponding area ratios up to the mature value of 2.5. Clinical evaluation on a normal and high-risk patient population showed excellent reliability: The accuracy in predicting fetal lung maturity and immaturity was 100% and 85%, respectively. Moreover, the numerical value of the L/S ratio in the immature range was found to be indicative of the severity of respiratory distress syndrome. Finally, the relationship between the L/S ratio and gestational age in a normal population was described mathematically by an approximating curve. We concluded from our methodologic and clinical data that the L/S ratio may be determined simply and reliably by means of the procedure described in this report.
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PMID:A modified lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio test for fetal maturity. 58 45

The immaturity of antioxidant capacity in the lung in preterm newborn infants is postulated to contribute to the development of hyperoxic lung injury. Antioxidant enzymes in fetal lung, comprised of copper-zinc (cytosolic) and manganese (mitochondrial) superoxide dismutases, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, have been reported to increase during the late gestational period. To determine whether such maturation of antioxidant capacity occurs in other tissues, we have evaluated the development of these four enzymes from d 18 to 22 of gestation in rat lung, kidney, and heart. To resolve the confusion in the reported levels of lung superoxide dismutases, the two isoenzymes were assayed separately by specific RIA. The growth of the kidney exceeded that of the whole body during this period, while the growth of the lung and heart did not. The concentrations of the four antioxidant enzymes in lung and kidney increased in a stepwise manner during this period, and the magnitude of the change for each enzyme was greater in the kidney than in the lung. On the other hand, the only significant change in the concentrations of heart antioxidant enzymes observed was a mild increase in the glutathione peroxidase concentration from d 20 to 22. These results suggest that the prenatal maturation of antioxidant capacity occurs earlier in the heart and later in the kidney than in the lung, and that the immaturity of antioxidant capacity could make the fetal rat kidney vulnerable to free radical-mediated injury.
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PMID:Prenatal development of antioxidant enzymes in rat lung, kidney, and heart: marked increase in immunoreactive superoxide dismutases, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in the kidney. 234 74

The endocrine phase of the stress response to cardiopulmonary bypass in children is known to be subtly different from that seen in adults. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether there are similar differences in the acute phase response. Thirteen children were studied (mean age 2.65 years). Each child had congenital heart disease and underwent corrective cardiac surgery. Blood samples taken two days prior to operation and at 6, 9, 12, 24, 48 and 120 hours after were analysed for C-reactive protein, albumin, caeruloplasmin, zinc and copper concentrations. Metal:carrier protein molar ratios were also calculated. Results demonstrate changes which, although similar to those seen in adults, differed both quantitatively and qualitatively. This is explained by the concept of immaturity leading to a generally poor capacity for protein synthesis and a relative inability to respond to altered circumstances.
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PMID:The acute phase response to cardiopulmonary bypass in children. 874 Mar 51

Incidence, hazards and structural variants of pneumopathies according to the findings of 826 autopsies of neonates were studied. Anthropometrical, histological, bacteriological, virusological methods were applied. 17 important elements content in hair and lungs were detected. It was established that incidences of pneumopathies, according to the findings of the autopsies in Tashkent, constitute in total 47,1%. Pulmonary atelectases amount to 57% of all pneumopathies, edematouse-hemorrhagic syndrome--23,5%, aspiration syndrome--10,7%, hyaline membranes--8,8%. The highest lethality from pneumopathies was observed among neonates born from I-III pregnancies with males prevailing. Premature babies were found to have pneumopathies in 77,5%, mature--19%, overmature--3,5%. Risk factors coming from maternal side are the following: extragenital diseases, anemia, chronic pyelonephritis, acute respiratory viral infections, aggravated obstetric anamnesis, placental separation, prolonged early rupture of amniotic fluid sac, delivery by cesarean section. Risk factors coming from the neonate's side are the following: immaturity, intrauterine chronic hypoxia, intrauterine hypotrophy. Deficiency in copper and zinc leading to structural abnormality of pulmonary tissue is of great importance for pathogenesis of separate forms of pneumopathies (pulmonary and hyaline membranes' atelectases).
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PMID:[Incidence, risk factors, and structural variants of pneumopathies in newborns in Tashkent]. 1705 5

The low birth weight infant's (LBW) nutrition needs special attention. Energy requirements are increased due to a high metabolic rate and a low thermogenesis. Increased protein requirements are, easy to be absorbed (from lacto-serum). Lipids, as important energetic source requires an appropriate content in essential fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides (TGM) which are easy absorbed in absence of lipase and deficit of bile salt secretion. The carbohydrates should be represented by lactose or equivalents like di-, oligo or polysaccharides. The addition of maltodextrin avoid an exaggerate supply and incomplete digestion of lactose. Sodium requirement are increased due to exaggerated loss consequence of renal immaturity. The rapid rate of growth impose the addition of Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Copper, and vitamins, especially Vitamin D, E and Folic acid. The appropriate nutrition of LBW must cover his special needs to maintain the homeostasis and rapid growth. Precise nutrient requirements are, however, difficult to establish.
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PMID:[Nutrition of low birth weight infants]. 1867 1

Environmental toxicants such as metals may be detrimental to foetus and infant development and health because of their physiological immaturity, opportunistic and differential exposures, and a longer lifetime over which disease, initiated during pregnancy and in early life, can develop. The placental mechanisms responsible for regulation of absorption and excretion of elements during pregnancy are not fully understood. The aim of this paper is to assess the correlation for selected toxic and essential elements in paired whole blood samples of delivering women and cord blood, as well as to evaluate the placental permeability for selected elements. Regression analyses used to assess this correlation in 62-paired samples of maternal and cord whole blood of delivering women show that the concentrations of mercury, lead, cobalt, arsenic and selenium in maternal and cord blood differed statistically. Lead, cobalt, arsenic and selenium appear to pass the placental barrier by a diffusion mechanism. It was also found that the mercury levels in cord blood were almost double those of the mother, suggesting that the foetus may act as a filter for the maternal mercury levels during pregnancy. Transplacental transfer for arsenic and cobalt was 80% and 45%, respectively, suggesting that the placenta modulates the rate of transfer for these elements. Cadmium, manganese, copper and zinc levels did not show statistically significant correlations between two compartments (maternal versus cord whole blood). The study confirms that most of the toxic metals measured have an ability to cross the placental barrier.
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PMID:The placenta as a barrier for toxic and essential elements in paired maternal and cord blood samples of South African delivering women. 2044 20

Excess or inadequate levels of inorganic ions may induce significant acute and long-term irreversible dysfunction in humans. The fetus and placenta are particularly vulnerable to toxins due to the immaturity of the blood-brain barrier and diminished biotransformation enzymatic activity. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 172 pregnant women, 79 rural, and 93 urban. Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery and analyzed for 20 inorganic elements. Significant differences were found between urban and rural samples for two elements where copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were higher in urban samples. No marked differences between groups occurred for: arsenic, barium, cadmium, calcium, cobalt, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, selenium, strontium, or zinc. All samples were devoid of platinum, silver, thallium or uranium. Data demonstrated significant differences in urban and rural prenatal exposure to Cu and Mo. Further study is needed to determine if there is a causal link between neonatal outcomes and prenatal exposure to these elements.
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PMID:Rural and urban differences in prenatal exposure to essential and toxic elements. 3046 33