Adiponectin, a protein hormone produced by adipocytes, is also found in breast milk, which in turn is implicated in childhood obesity prevention. Although a biological role for adiponectin has not been firmly established, clinical and experimental research indicates that it regulates lipid and glucose metabolism, affects foetal development, and exerts anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects.Conclusion: This review demonstrates an emerging interest of paediatric research on adiponectin. A better understanding of adiponectin's bioactivity might clarify whether breast milk indeed prevents childhood obesity.

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Aims:To examine the morphometric changes produced on lung of neonatal rats treated with prenatal administration of betamethasone or dexamethasone, and test the hypothesis if glucocorticoids would produce any difference when pups are exposed to hypoxia and its recovery with oxygen or air ambient.Material and Methods: Dexamethasone, Bethametasone or equivalent saline solution was administered i.v. to gestant Wistar rats on 20 and 21 day of gestation. All rats delivered their pups within 48 hours after the last injection. The groups of rat pups were randomly assigned to either. At 4 -8 hours of life newborn rats were exposed in sequential way during 2 hours in hypoxia, and recovered in Ͼ 95% oxygen or 21% oxygen. Lung and body weight were measured. For the morphometric study the lungs were fixed by intratracheal instilation of formol at a pressure of 20 cm.H2O. Quantitative morphometric assessment was done on coded slides with 400x magnification and a eye piece with a sample square grid pattern ( model CPLW 1018, Zeiss Optical, Hannover Md).Morphmetric changes are shown in table 1. Statystical Analyses: ANOVA test was performed followed by Bonferroni test. PϽ 0,05 was considered.Result: Comparative wet lung weight/dry lung weight and morphometric study is show in table I DEX (dexamethasone) BETA (bethametasone) W.(weight), Sa (alveolar surface), SV (surface density of alveolar walls), Nv (numerical density of alveoli), rv (alveolar radius) * Significant differences with saline group.Conclusion: Prenatal administration of dexametasone and bethametasone causes a reduction in alveolar number in newborn rats. Lungs of treated pups showed a longer alveoli radius , lower values of surface density of alveolar walls and lower numerical density of alveoli than the control group. Probably, prenatal glucocorticoids could produce a partial suppression of the formation of secondary septa and decreased final alveoli number. IMPACT OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION IN ELWB INFANTS. SURVIVAL AND SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES DEPARTMENT OF NEONATOLOGY. LA PAZ UNI-VERSITY HOSPITAL (SPAIN)Background/Aims: We questioned whether extremely low birth weight (ELWB) infants who undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at delivery room present poorer survival and short-term outcomes than those who do not.Methods: Data from all inborn ELWB infants from 2000 through 2004 in a universitary hospital were analyzed. Infants with major birth defects, suspicion of genetic disease and those without proactive perinatal attitude were excluded. CPR was defined as administration of chest compressions and/or epinephrine at delivery room. Neonatal morbidity was compared between infants who underwent CPR and those who did not.Results: 150 infants were included, with gestational ages between 23 and 27 weeks (mean 25.6 Ϯ 1.2), and birth weights from 425 to 995 grams (745.2 Ϯ 132). Delivery room CPR was givent to 32 infants (21.4%). No differences in perinatal characteristics were found except for significant lower pH and Apgar score, and higher SNAPPE score in infa...

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