neuropsychological follow-up is also recommended for healthy very preterm children to identify strengths and challenges before school entry, and to plan interventions aimed at maximizing academic success.

The QS4-G seems to be a valid tool for identifying 4-year-old children at risk for low or borderline cognitive development and/or problematic behaviour who need a complete assessment. It can describe individual neuropsychological profiles. QS4-G is not a diagnostic tool. It is useful for outcome studies in preterm children and in other pathologies. It could also be useful for preschooler prevention programmes.

Background: We aimed to develop a contrast agent suitable for targeting to E-selectin expressed on activated vascular endothelium in an in vivo model of inflammation and detection by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.Methods: Anti-murine E-selectin F(ab')2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (MES-1) was conjugated with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIO). Flow cytometry, PERL staining for iron, and MR imaging were performed using CHO cells expressing mouse E-selectin (CHO-E) to detect binding of the conjugate in vitro, and a mouse model of contact hypersensitivity to oxazolone in the ear was used to investigate the in vivo characteristics of the MES-1-USPIO, with serial imaging being performed using an Oxford/Varian 9.4T MR imaging system with a custom receive-only coil. Tissue sections were stained to define the distribution of E-selectin expression and the localisation of the MES-1-USPIO conjugate.Results: The MES-1-USPIO was shown to bind to CHO-E in vitro. Following injection of MES-1-USPIO in vivo, distinct changes in the R2 relaxation rate (1/T2) characteristics could be detected in inflamed ears compared to controls. Histological analysis confirmed the vascular endothelial distribution of the MES-1-USPIO.Conclusions: E-selectin expression in vivo can be selectively and directly imaged non-invasively with magnetic resonance. This molecular imaging tool has the potential to be useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of early or occult inflammation, and may provide an attractive alternative to established clinical investigations such as the use of radiolabelled leukocytes. In addition, such an agent may have value in the investigation of some solid tumours and metastases, either by targeting tumour-associated neovasculature or tumour cells expressing E-selectin. REGIONAL CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW IN ASPHYCTIC FOETAL LAMBS AFTER RESCUE WITH MGSO4 DEPT. OF PAEDIATRICS OF CRUCES HOSPITAL (SPAIN)Background: Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury induced by partial cord clamping produces brain damage. MgSO4 infusion has been used as a neuroprotector, but it produces haemodynamic and cardiac changes.

Introduction: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in adulthood. Nephron number reduction has been proposed as a key mechanism for later hypertension.Aim: to compare the long term effects of two models of IUGR on arterial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal function in adult rats.Methods: 3 groups of animals were investigated: group I, controls: offspring of dams fed normal diet (NP, casein 22 %); group II: offspring of dams fed isocaloric low-protein diet (LP, casein 9 %); group III: offspring of dams that received 3 daily intramuscular injections of betamethasone (0.25 mg/kg) on gestational days 17,18, 19 (BET). SBP, glomerular number, and renal function were obtained in 12 months old animals.Results: (mean ϩ/-SEM). Glomerular number was significantly reduced in IUGR rats (38 % in LP rats and 50 % in BET rats vs. controls pϽ0.05). At 2 months, unlike BET rats, LP rats displayed a significant elevated SBP compared to controls (135 ϩ/-3, 144 ϩ/-3, 130 ϩ/-3 mmHg in groups BET, LP, controls; pϽ0.05). At 12 months, SBP levels were not significantly different between the groups despite an alteration of Creatinine Clearance in BET rats (3.25 ϩ/-0.2, 4.82 ϩ/-0.4, 4.88ϩ/-0.5, ml/min/kg in groups BET, LP and controls; pϽ0.05).Conclusion: Despite no differences in birth weight, maternal low protein diet and short course maternal injections of betamethasone have different effects on SBP, renal function and GT in adult rats, while both reduce nephron number. The hypothesis of an inborn nephron deficit associated with single nephron hyperfiltration appears not sufficient to explain the fetal programming of hypertension. S100B CONCENTRATION IN BLOOD AND URINE IS INCREASED IN NEO-NATAL INTENSIVE CARE PHYSICIANS ON DUTY MATERNAL AND INFANT DEPT , 2 DEPT PEDIATRICS, GASLINI UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, 3 INSTITUTE OF ANAT-OMY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY (ITALY)Objective. A neonatal intensive care unit is a working environment at high incidence of stressful events and the incidence of neuropsychological disorders in physicians working in these units is high. To date no reliable data are available on cerebral function monitoring. We therefore investigated whether there is a change in concentrations of S100B protein, an established marker of brain distress, in biological fluids (blood, urine) of physicians on duty in a NICU during day and night duty shifts.Design and Setting. We conducted an observational study in which each case served as control. Participants. Seven physicians out of a total of 10 on duty at the tertiary referral centre for NICUs of the Giannina Gaslini Children's University Hospital (25 beds with a transport service for neonatal emergencies) were admitted to the study. Intervention. Clinical evaluation, standard laboratory monitoring parameters and blood cortisol levels were determined at eight time-points.Main Outcome Measures. S100B measurements in blood and urine were assessed, using an immunoluminometric assay, at eight prede...

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