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Summary: The value of prenatal diagnosis of major congenital heart diseases (CHDs) has already been proved. In this study, we observed the evolution of the detection rate of CHDs and the quality of the diagnoses over a 15-year period in the Indre-et-Loire department of France. Method: Retrospective analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data of prenatal diagnosis between 2000 and 2005 (period 3) and comparison with studies conducted from 1991 to 1994 (period 1) and from 1995 to 1999 (period 2). The CHDs considered to be detectable are the major CHDs with neonatal symptoms. In order to analyze the quality of prenatal diagnosis, each diagnosis was classified as correct, false, or incomplete during period 3. Results: Period 3: 65.7% detectable CHDs were screened. Using period 1 criteria for prenatal diagnosis, the percentage of CHDs detected for periods 1, 2, and 3 was 43.2, 66.7, and 78%, respectively. Between periods 2 and 3, the detection rate increased from 52 to 74% for CHDs diagnosed with the visualization of the outflow tract. It increased from 63 to 71% for CHDs diagnosed with a four-chamber view. During period 3, diagnoses made by a pediatric cardiologist were correct and complete in 80% of cases. It was less than 25% otherwise. Conclusion: The improvement of prenatal diagnosis over time results from technological progress, the greater experience of ultrasonographers, and the systematic visualization of the outflow tract in addition to the four-chamber view. Despite the improvement in prenatal diagnosis, one-third of major CHDs were not screened before birth. Pediatricians still need to diagnose CHDs after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart murmurs are common in children and adolescents. Although most are innocent, an isolated heart murmur in asymptomatic children may be the sole finding indicating serious heart disease. Historical elements of familial heart disease, cardiovascular symptoms and a well-conducted medical examination can identify children with an increased risk of heart disease. The distinction between an innocent heart murmur and a pathologic heart murmur is not always easy for primary care physicians because most of them have little experience with auscultation searching for congenital heart malformation. Echocardiography provides a definitive diagnosis of heart disease but is not required in case of innocent murmur. Inappropriate pediatric cardiologist and echocardiographic referral leads to useless and expensive examinations, resulting in a work overload for pediatric cardiologists. The objective of this review is to provide the keys to differentiate innocent and pathologic murmurs, and to help physicians decide on the optimal diagnostic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart murmurs are common in children and adolescents. Although most are innocent, an isolated heart murmur in asymptomatic children may be the sole finding indicating serious heart disease. Historical elements of familial heart disease, cardiovascular symptoms and a well-conducted medical examination can identify children with an increased risk of heart disease. The distinction between an innocent heart murmur and a pathologic heart murmur is not always easy for primary care physicians because most of them have little experience with auscultation searching for congenital heart malformation. Echocardiography provides a definitive diagnosis of heart disease but is not required in case of innocent murmur. Inappropriate pediatric cardiologist and echocardiographic referral leads to useless and expensive examinations, resulting in a work overload for pediatric cardiologists. The objective of this review is to provide the keys to differentiate innocent and pathologic murmurs, and to help physicians decide on the optimal diagnostic strategy., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Total cavo-pulmonary connection (TCPC) represents the current surgery standard for congenital univentricular heart disease (CUHD) patients. We studied the health related quality of life (HRQOL) expressed by TCPC operated patients., Patients and Methods: This transversal study is based on 24 children and 10 adult TCPC patients aged from 5 to 41 years old. The HRQOL evaluation relies on generic self report instruments such as the PedsQL 4.0 for the children and their parents, and the Duke Health profile for the adult patients. Additional questions were specifically designed for this study as well., Results and Discussion: The estimated HRQOL is 68.15 for the children and 68.71 for their parents. In these young cases, the global HRQOL or some specific score are altered when any comorbidity or scholar difficulties are present, or when TCPC was performed more than 10 years ago. The estimated HRQOL is 74.67 in adulthood. In these patients, the young age, the lifestyle, the onset of more than 2 early complications ans the necessity of anti-arrhythmia therapy decrease various HRQOL scores. The physical handicap is considered as the major limitation for children and adult patients. Thanks to adaptative and cognitive compensatory mechanisms, such as resilience, both groups express a satisfying HRQOL assessment., Conclusion: Our study indicates that TCPC provides a good HRQOL in CUHD patients despite the complex management and follow-up of these diseases, the risk of complication onset and the physical handicap usually observed.

Unlabelled: The objective of this study is to report all of our experience of patent ductus arteriosus closure by interventional catheterisation, comparing two systems used successively: Rashkind umbrella and detachable coil., Method: Between January 1991 and July 2001, 72 patients underwent cardiac catheterisation in order to occlude patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). In 3 patients closure was not attempted (n = 1) or aborted (n = 2). The 69 patients in whom one or several prostheses were implanted are the object of this retrospective study. The patients were between 10 months and 18 years old (median 4 years), weighing between 6.7 and 54 kg (median 17 kg). The narrowest average angiographic diameter of the PDA was 2.2 mm (1 to 4 mm), type A in the Krichenko classification in 59 cases. The PDA was occluded by an umbrella in 29 patients (group 1), and from 1997 coils were used in 40 patients (group II). The medium term results were evaluated clinically and by colour doppler echocardiography., Results: The age, weight, size and type of PDA were similar in the 2 groups. Group 1: 28 patients were treated with a single umbrella and one patient received 2 umbrellas. Systemic embolisation occurred in one case. The average period of follow-up was from 4 years to 10 years (average 6.5 years). The rate of residual shunt at 24 h, 6 months, and 12 months was 43%, 43%, and 39% respectively. A second implant was necessary in 2 children after 7 months and 30 months. The spontaneous disappearance of residual shunt was observed in 8 patients after between 1 month and 54 months (average 33.5 months). A slight residual shunt persisted in 4 patients (13.7%), 4.5 to 8.5 years after placing one or two umbrellas. The patients with a residual shunt were younger: 37 months versus 73 months (p < 0.05). Group II: 34 patients received a single coil and 6 patients several coils. Two cases of embolic migration and two cases of haemolysis were observed. The follow-up extended from 4 months to 4.5 years (average 2.2 years). The rate of residual shunt at 24 h, 6 months, and 1 year respectively was 35%, 10.5%, and 3.3%. At 6 and 12 months this rate was significantly less in group I (p < 0.01). Implantation of supplementary coils was necessary in 2 children at 24 h and at 9 months. Spontaneous disappearance of residual shunt occurred in 10 children out of 14 with an average interval of 5.5 months. A weak residual shunt remained detectable in 2 patients (5%) at 6 months and 36 months., Conclusion: The rate of initial residual shunt is comparable using both techniques. Spontaneous disappearance of residual shunts was observed in the majority of cases, but with the detachable coils this outcome is faster and the final rate for residual shunt is very low.

Patients and Methods: Between March 1, 1995 and February 29, 1996, a multicentric prospective study was conducted in France in order to analyze the cardiovascular complications in Kawasaki syndrome, and to describe the echocardiographic features and the outcome of coronary lesions. Forty-nine cases of Kawasaki syndrome were observed., Results: There were 32 boys and 17 girls (sex ratio: 1:9). The age at diagnosis was under one year in ten cases (20.4%), between one and five years in 27 cases (55.1%) and more than five years in 12 cases (24.5%). The complete diagnostic criteria were present in 42 cases (85.1%). Forty-five children (91.8%) were given intravenous immunoglobulin treatment but only 20 (40.8%) received this treatment within the seven days following the onset of the illness. Cardiovascular complications consisted of: pericardial effusion in 12 cases (24.5%), coronary dilation in seven cases (14.3%), coronary aneurysms of moderate size in seven cases (14.3%,) with hypokinetic left ventricle in two cases. No death was reported. All patients with coronary dilation and four patients with coronary aneurysms had a normal size of coronary arteries at echocardiography within the nine months of the follow-up. Among the three other patients, after a follow-up of two years, one still has a small coronary aneurysm and two have a normal size of coronary arteries., Conclusion: Despite a delayed administration of immunoglobulin therapy in the majority of patients in this study, outcome of coronary lesions was favorable and severe cardiac complications were rare in the acute phase of the Kawasaki syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of the physical examination and electrocardiogram in the evaluation of heart murmur in new patients referred to the pediatric cardiologist., Method: From 1 April to 30 September 1998, all consecutive patients referred to the pediatric cardiology clinic for evaluation of heart murmur were included. They were prospectively categorized with no heart disease, possible heart disease or definite heart disease based on history and physical examination. They then underwent electrocardiogram with which the diagnosis was reevaluated by the pediatric cardiologist. Lastly, a doppler-echocardiography was systematically performed., Results: In 120 children aged four days to 14 years (median: ten months), 72 (60%) showed abnormalities on doppler-echocardiography and 48 (40%) no heart disease. After physical examination, 52 patients were categorized with no heart disease: 45 patients had a normal doppler-echocardiography; in three of them, the diagnosis was incorrectly modified to possible heart disease on the basis of the electrocardiogram. In the other seven children, the electrocardiogram was normal and the doppler-echocardiography revealed minor (n = 5) or moderate (n = 2) heart defects. Nineteen patients were suspected of having possible heart disease, no diagnosis was modified after analysis of the electrocardiogram and six had normal doppler-echocardiography; 49 patients were correctly diagnosed as having definite heart disease. The sensibility of the physical examination was 90.3%, the specificity was 93.8%, the positive predictive value 95.6% and the negative predictive value 86.5%., Conclusion: The electrocardiogram is of no help in the discrimination between heart disease and no heart disease in children referred to the pediatric cardiologist for a cardiac murmur. The physical examination is able to differentiate children with or without heart disease in most of the cases.

A case of acute intravascular haemolysis after complete occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus by detachable coils in a 10 months old child is reported. The child had a patent ductus arteriosus, a small secundum atrial defect, mild valvular pulmonary stenosis, and stenosis of branches of the pulmonary artery not diagnosed before closure of the ductus. Haemolysis developed several hours after complete occlusion of the ductus by two detachable coils. The mechanism of the haemolysis was thought to be the presence of metallic spirals in the left pulmonary artery, just beyond stenosis situated at the origin of this artery. Simple balloon dilatation of the left pulmonary artery stenosis resulted in the complete regression of haemolysis.

Unlabelled: Congenital heart diseases are the most frequent malformation at birth. New technologies have improved diagnosis procedures (echocardiography and Doppler). The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of congenital heart diseases, their different types, and the detection rate of antenatal diagnosis., Methods: A retrospective study was performed for all infants with congenital heart disease (CHD), born between January 1st 1991 and December 31st 1994, and for all fetuses which died after disruption of pregnancy, in Indre-et-Loire (a French country). In all cases, CHD diagnosis was confirmed with echocardiography and Doppler., Results: CHD prevalence in newborns was 9.8% and 10.4% for the total population including dead fetal material. A high proportion of septal defects (64.8%) was observed with muscular, isolated and small forms (< 3 mm) in 70.2% of cases. The prevalence of great vessels transposition (0.15%), left ventricular hypoplasia (0.11%), and atrioventricular septal defect (0.11%), were lower than in previous studies. The performance of antenatal diagnosis was estimated at 40.5% for the four years; the prevalence of detectable CHD was only 1.4/1000. The atrioventricular septal defect was the most frequently detected., Conclusion: Relative high prevalence of congenital heart disease in this French county is due to the high level of small septal defects. Prevalence of detectable CHD remains low, which explains in part the difficulties of improving the antenatal diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of membranous ventricular septal defects (VSD) with respect to the echocardiographic data obtained during the first year of life. This retrospective series included patients born between January 1st 1986 and December 31st 1995, in the Indre et Loire department, with membranous ventricular septal defects alone or associated with minor abnormalities. The initial echocardiography, an echocardiography performed 2 to 6 months later, one a year later and the final echocardiography were compared. Three groups of VSD were constituted according to their diameter: group I (< or = 3 mm), group II (3-6 mm), and group III (> 6 mm). Depending on the outcome, the patients were classified as spontaneous closure (group A), surgical closure (group B) or persistent VSD (group C). The population comprised 84 children. There were 6 spontaneous deaths, three of which were unexplained, and 7 children were lost to follow-up. After the initial echocardiography, the VSD were classified as group I (38%), group II (26.2%) and group III (35.7%). After the second echocardiogram, 24 VSD changed group (31.5%), by increase (N = 10) or decrease (N = 14) in diameter. Aneurysms of the membranous septum were observed during the first two echocardiographies in 31.2% and 79.3% of VSDs of group I, 31.8% and 70% of VSDs of group II and 6.6% and 3.3% of VSDs of group III (p < 0.01). The average follow-up was 3.1 years (range 1 month-10 years). In group A (N = 22), the mean age of closure of the VSD was 26 months (3 months-7 years). In group B (N = 28), surgery was undertaken at an average age of 10 months (range 3 months-5 years). In group C (N = 21), the VSDs were classified as group I (N = 19) or group II (N = 2) at the last echocardiography. The frequency of aneurysms of the membranous septum in groups A, B and C were respectively 100%, 7.1% and 66.6% (p < 0.01). At the second echocardiographic examination, a significant relationship (p < 0.001) was observed between the diameter of the VSDs and their outcome. The VSDs of group A were associated with aneurysms of the membranous septum more often than those of group C (p < 0.005). The authors conclude that surgery is required in about one third of membranous VSD. At medium term, the others either close spontaneously or become smaller in comparable numbers. The outcome is directly related to the diameter of the VSD and the development of an aneurysm of the membranous septum. During the first 6 months, the dimensions of membranous VSDs change in about 30% of cases with an increase in frequency of aneurysms of the membranous septum.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of medical and surgical advances on the results of surgery of coarctation of the aorta without major associated cardiac malformations in children aged under 6 months, operated by the surgical team of Tours over a period of 17 years. A retrospective analysis of patients' files allowed inclusion of 75 children: 34 in group I (1980-1988) and 41 in group II (1989-1996). The age at diagnosis, mode of presentation, clinical and echocardiographic parameters, initially and at surgery, were comparable in the two groups. In group II, the surgical procedure of choice changed to the Crafoord procedure (p = 0.0001), the peroperative haemodynamic complications were less common (p = 0.04), patients were operated sooner after diagnosis (p = 0.002) with a higher number of neonates (p = 0.04). There were two early deaths in group I and two late deaths in group II. Six children (8.2%) had recurrence of coarctation. This was more common in children operated before 1 month of age (p = 0.0001) and in cases of hypoplasia of the aortic arch (p < 0.01). The risk of recoarctation in neonates was lower in group II than in group I (p < 0.02). At medium term, the coarctation was considered well repaired in 93.7% and 92.6% of patients in group I and II respectively. However, hypertension on exercise was observed in 8 of the 19 children studied. Finally, secondary surgical or instrumental procedures were required in 9 children to treat associated cardiovascular abnormalities. The authors conclude that in recent years, aortic coarctation was repaired earlier, mainly by a modified Crafoord procedure, with fewer haemodynamic complications, without early mortality. The risk of recoarctation remains low but persistent in neonates. At medium term, hypertension on exercise is a common problem even in children with excellent repairs.

Aneurysmal dilatation of a patent ductus arteriosus is a rare condition. One hundred and fifty three cases have been reported, of which 59 (39%) were operated, with an operative mortality of 16%. The authors report a case detected in a premature neonate on chest X-ray showing a mass in the mid-mediastinal region. Surgical resection was undertaken by video-thoracoscopy. Peroperative analysis of the resected specimen suggested a vascular structure and this was confirmed by histological study, which showed spontaneous aneurysm of a thrombosed patent ductus arteriosus or cystic residue of a patent ductus arteriousus. The authors underline the importance of peroperative puncture of structures of uncertain origin and the possibility of conversion of such a procedure to that of an extreme emergency.

The aim of the study was to assess the short and medium term results of total cavo-pulmonary connection based on analysis of the functional status, the cavo-pulmonary circulation and the surgical techniques, and the hepatic consequences. Fifteen patients with congenital defects beyond repair were treated by total cavo-pulmonary connection at Tours between March 1st 1992 and July 30th 1996. There were 12 children (mean age: 6.3 years) and 3 adults aged 25 to 28. Results were assessed by clinical examination, hepatic function tests and cardiovascular investigations including right heart catheterisation with angiography in 14 patients. There were no fatalities. Seven patients were in functional Class I and 8 in Class II at medium term (average follow-up of 33 months). Hepatic function was mildly abnormal in all patients with an increase in serum bilirubin and gamma GT, and a decrease in the coagulation factors. The mean pressures in the atrial channel were 12 mmHg (9-16 mmHg), in the superior vena 13.2 mmHg (10-18 mmHg), in the right pulmonary artery 9.5 mmHg (7-15 mmHg) and 11.6 mmHg (8-16 mmHg) in the left pulmonary artery. Significant residual stenosis of a pulmonary branch was observed in 2 cases. The cavo-pulmonary anastomoses were out of line, one from the other, in all cases. The atrial channel was tubular in 9 cases and dilated with slight stagnation of the contrast medium in its inferior region in 5 cases. Total cavo-pulmonary connection transformed the clinical status of these patients but was associated with minor abnormalities of liver function. The quality of the cavo-pulmonary circulation and the surgical anastomoses was estimated to be satisfactory in the majority of cases.

Systemic pulmonary shunts were performed in 41 consecutive neonates with congenital cyanotic heart disease between 1981 and 1992. The lesions comprised pulmonary atresia with intact interventricular septum (16 cases), pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (9 cases), tetralogy of Fallot (5 cases), transposition of the great arteries (3 cases) and different complex cardiac lesions (8 cases). A polytetrafluoroethylene tube was used in 40 neonates, 5 mm in diameter in 39 cases, anastomosed to be subclavian artery in 21 patients (group A) and on the ascending aorta or innominate artery in 19 patients (group B). A retrospective analysis of the results was undertaken in all patients with a mean follow-up period of 6.5 years (range: 19 months-12.5 years). There were 4 early deaths (9.7%) and 8 late deaths (19.5%) giving a total mortality of 29.2%. Of the late deaths, 4 occurred in the first year, 3 suddenly at home and 4 in relation with the surgical correction. Occlusion of the shunt was suspected in only one case. The actuarial survival rate was 78% at one year, 75.5% at 7 years and 66% at 10 years. Eleven of the 12 deaths were in children with pulmonary atresia with intact interventricular septum (8 cases) and complex cardiac malformations (3 cases). Early complications were observed in 15 of the 37 survivors of the initial procedure. Cardiac failure occurred in 83% of group B and 22% of group A (p < 0.01). The probability of shunt efficacy was 89% at 1 year, 63% at 2 years and 45% at 3 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Massive fetomaternal haemorrhage (FMH) occurs in 0.12 to 0.5% of pregnancies. It is most often spontaneous and involves uncomplicated near-term pregnancies. It causes fetal anaemia, with or without fetal distress and hydrops fetalis. To our knowledge only one paper has reported a neurological complication (hemiplegia). We describe one case of FMH (maximal Kleihauer test = 6.5%) at 28 weeks gestation, which was spontaneous, reversible, associated with sinusoidal fetal heart rare (FHR) and hydrops fetalis; and complicated by an intraventricular antenatal haemorrhage at 30 weeks gestation. Echographic abnormalities decreased. The infant was born at 40 weeks gestation. Clinical examination was normal during the first week of life. At the age of 4 1/2 months, examination showed axial hypotonia and moderated dilatation of intracerebral lateral ventricules without any other brain damage. At the age of 24 months, the child had retarded walking and hypotonia. The outcome was spontaneously favourable with disappearance in utero of the intraventricular haemorrhage (HIV), without hydrocephalia or ischaemic lesions. Three cases of similar FMH have been reported but none of them described cerebral complications. Intrauterine intravascular transfusion should be proposed early. No single pathophysiological mechanism of FMH has been universally accepted and there is no aetiological treatment. The risk of recurrence of FMH in later pregnancies requires careful follow-up.

The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of ventricular septal defects (VSD) with respect to their initial echocardiographic appearances: size and site. One hundred consecutive neonates under 3 months of age with a typical VSD murmur, were included in a prospective study. Malformation syndromes and associated cardiac disease were criteria of exclusion. Disappearance of the murmur was indicative of closure of the VSD. The VSDs were classified as: small (diameter less than or equal to 3 mm), medium (3 to 6 mm) and large (greater than 6 mm). Twelve children were lost to follow-up; the remainder were followed up for an average of 35 months. The VSDs were muscular (39%), membranous (37%), infundibular (2%) or unlocalised (22%). Of the muscular VSDs, 85% were small and 15% were medium-sized; 48% of membranous VSDs were small, 43% were medium and 9% large-sized. Spontaneous closure was observed in 64% of cases but this figure varied with the size and site of the VSD. The prognosis of unlocalised VSDs was excellent (100% spontaneous closures at 1 year), as was that of small muscular VSDs (89% spontaneous closures at 1 year). The prognosis of medium size muscular and small membranous VSDs was less favourable: 40% closures at 1 year, 50% closures at 2 years respectively. The closure of medium-sized membranous VSDs was slower: 7% at 2 years. It was essentially in this group and that of large-sized membranous VSDs that the surgical indications were mostly to be found. No spontaneous closures were observed in the large membranous or the infundibular VSDs.

In 7 neonates with cyanotic heart disease, balloon atrial septostomy was performed in the neonatal intensive care unit under two-dimensional echocardiographic control. Trans-umbilical route was used with success in 6 neonates and percutaneous femoral vein in 1 neonate after failure of the trans-umbilical route. The mean transcutaneous oxygen saturation increase was 22%. No complications were observed. The average duration of the procedure was 25 minutes. Thus this technique is efficient, quick and easy to perform, allowing the procedure to be done under optimal environmental conditions in critically ill neonates.

In order to estimate the efficacity of prostaglandine E1 (PGE1) to dilate the obstruction in coarctation of the aorta (CoAo), we studied 16 full term neonates with heart failure. Over the 16 neonates, there was 5 with isolated CoAo and 11 with an intracardiac shunt. Over the 11 neonates, 7 had pulmonary hypertension. PGE1, at a dose of 0.05 microgram/kg/min associated to the classical treatment of heart failure were given on the 6 day of life. Effects of PGE1 were evaluated on clinical basis (presence of femoral pulse, blood pressure), echocardiographical basis (ductus arteriosus and aortic isthmus diameter) and morphological basis. In 15 neonates, the ductus arteriosus was open, in all cases CoAo diameter was the same. In 7 neonates with pulmonary hypertension, femoral pulse appeared. In conclusion, PGE1 increases post ductal perfusion by a right to left shunt through the ductus arteriosus, only in cases where pulmonary hypertension is present. No direct action on the aortic isthmus was observed.

The authors report a case of polymorphic supraventricular tachycardia in a premature neonate born at 33 weeks by caesarean section because of foeto-placental insufficiency and hydramnios due to foetal tachycardia diagnosed in utero. This arrhythmia was of interest because of the association of chaotic atrial tachycardia and the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), which has rarely been described in the neonate. The mechanism of atrial tachycardia in the WPW syndrome is variable. In our case, there was retrograde atrial activation by the accessory pathway with atrial desynchronisation aided by left atrial dilatation. Digoxin, an effective anti arrhythmic agent in neonatal tachycardia, should not be used in cases of atrial tachycardia associated with ventricular preexcitation because of the risk of dangerous ventricular tachycardia.

While studying retrospectively 44 cases in infants less than 3 months with urinary tract infection, clinical, bacteriological and radiological aspects have been analyzed. Clinical symptomatology were chiefly fever and digestive symptoms (anorexia, vomiting) associated with poor weight gain. Among the causative bacteria, E. coli was the most frequent (88%) with ampicillin resistance in 26% of them. Diagnosis difficulties associated with urine collection with a bag, frequently contaminated, have to be emphasized. It is therefore necessary, except in case of emergency to repeat urine collection before treatment. Among 35 infants investigated radiologically, the urinary tract was abnormal in 46% (48% boys and 40% girls). The localization of the abnormality was upper in 16% and lower (reflux) in 43%. Ampicillin alone or associated with an aminoglycoside was the most common treatment (33 cases). Urine sterilization has always been obtained.

Twenty-one full-term neonates who had a diagnosis of bacterial colonization were randomly assigned to receive amoxicillin 40 mg.kg-1 every 12 hours by either IV or oral route. Plasma levels of amoxicillin were assayed by HPLC at 0.5 (H0.5), 2 (H2), 6 (H6), 9 (H9) hours after the amoxicillin dose for both administration routes and also at the end of the infusion for the IV route. Average levels of plasma amoxicillin with IV and oral routes were not different except at H0.5 where they were higher with the IV route. With oral route Cmax was measured at H2 (6 times) or H6 (4 times). At the end of the infusion, plasma levels were between 55 and 154 mg.l-1 (81 +/- 32 mg.l-1). They decreased quickly so half life of amoxicillin by IV route was between 1.79 and 8.9 hs (4.28 +/- 2.4 hs). They were always above MIC for germs encountered in neonates except at H9 twice with IV and once with oral route. Pharmacokinetic data of this study allow to use oral route for amoxicillin for bacterial colonization in neonates: this administration route could also be proposed in infections following IV route as soon as hemodynamic and gastrointestinal conditions permit. The efficacy of such an attitude could be evaluated by a clinical trial.

One hundred and thirty-three children less than one month of age and presenting with congenital heart disease were investigated using two-dimensional echocardiography (TD echo). In these children, 234 cardiovascular abnormalities had been proven by hemodynamic and angiographic investigations (n = 103), post-mortem examinations (n = 15) or operative findings (n = 12). TD echo identified 201 cardiovascular abnormalities with 33 false negatives (sensitivity 86%) and 12 false positives (specificity 94%). Diagnosis after TD echo was correct in 100 children (75%), incomplete in 18 (13.5%), imprecise in 11 (8.3%) and false in 4 (3%). The most frequently unrecognized lesions were: anomalous systemic venous drainage (5/8), persistent ductus arteriosus (5/12), pulmonary stenosis (3/8), ventricular septal defect (5/27), coarctation (2/18). The lesions difficult to characterize concerned mostly the pulmonary valve and the aspect of the aortic arch. On the other hand, TD echo allowed to correctly identify major intracardiac abnormalities, malpositions of the great vessels and to well appreciate the dimensions of the trunk and branches of the pulmonary artery. These results allow to refrain from diagnostic endocavitary investigations in most of the heart defects revealed in the neonatal period and to perform curative or palliative closed heart surgery without preoperative catheterization. However, clinical, angiographic and hemodynamic investigations keep an important place in the preoperative evaluation of defects that may benefit from open heart surgery.