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Forty-nine children with skin abscesses (36 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 13 methicillin-susceptible S. aureus) exhibited similar disease severity. Both pathogen groups were pulse field type USA300, multilocus sequence type 8, and possessed Panton-Valentine leukocidin genes. Related microbial genetic architecture may account for similarities in disease severity despite differences in antibiotic susceptibility.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of surfactant deficiency on the pathophysiology of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Pregnant ewes were operated on at 80 days of gestation for creation of a diaphragmatic hernia in the lambs. Twenty-one lambs survived to be delivered by cesarean section and were studied. Compliance was improved when surface tension effects were removed by saline solution in lungs of both control animals and lambs with CDH; however, the lungs of the lambs with CDH still had significantly impaired compliance. In a second series of experiments, two groups were studied: a surfactant-treated and a control, nontreated group. Surfactant was given prophylactically into the liquid-filled lungs before the first breath. All lambs were paralyzed and sedated and their lungs mechanically ventilated with 100% oxygen for 30 minutes; gas exchange was then assessed, pressure-volume data were obtained, and compliance was calculated. Surfactant significantly improved gas exchange; arterial oxygen pressure increased from 39 +/- 11.4 to 316 +/- 53.6 mm Hg, arterial carbon dioxide pressure decreased from 148 to 63 mm Hg, and pH increased from 6.87 to 7.16 (p < 0.001). Lung volume at 25 cm H2O, functional residual capacity, and compliance were all increased (p < 0.02). Thus, in the CDH lamb model, pulmonary mechanics are impaired by both parenchymal and surfactant abnormalities. Both lung mechanics and gas exchange are markedly improved by exogenous surfactant therapy.

Cystic fibrosis is most often the underlying cause of meconium ileus. We describe the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and not with cystic fibrosis, whose initial manifestation was meconium ileus.

A 19-day-old male infant was seen with full-thickness gangrene of the transverse colon. Hyperosmolar formula feedings caused by inadequate "directions for use" was the probable cause. Improved formula labeling might prevent further cases.

We studied 24 human fetuses with cerebral ventriculomegaly by serial obstetric ultrasound to define the natural history of fetal ventricular enlargement and to develop a management strategy. In 10 fetuses, ventriculomegaly was associated with other severe anomalies; nine of these families chose to terminate the pregnancy. In three other severely affected fetuses in whom ventriculomegaly was detected serendipitously late in gestation, routine obstetrical management was performed; none survived. Eleven fetuses had ventriculomegaly without associated severe anomalies. Ventriculomegaly remained stable or of moderate severity throughout gestation in nine, resolved gradually in one, and progressed in one who did not have signs of increased intracranial pressure at birth. All of these fetuses were viable; three patients required shunting in the neonatal period, and two others by 5 months of age. Although obstetric ultrasound usually can detect anomalies associated with fetal ventriculomegaly, three fetuses with isolated ventriculomegaly had midline brain malformations that could not be distinguished in utero from hydrocephalus, even in retrospect. Prenatal diagnosis improves perinatal management by allowing counseling, and selective pregnancy termination, or selection of the timing, mode, and place of delivery to optimize outcome. Most fetuses with ventriculomegaly do not require intervention before birth.