The effect of biosynthetic human growth hormone (BSHGH) on postoperative protein and energy metabolism has been studied in patients who had major gastrointestinal surgery. Seven patients received placebo and seven patients received BSHGH, 0.1 mg/kg/24 h, for the first six postoperative days. Mean total nitrogen excretion was significantly lower with BSHGH (31.5 +/- 2.4 g N) (2287 +/- 160 mmol) than with placebo (42.7 +/- 3.1 g N) (3049 +/- 219 mmol) over the 6-day study period. The mean daily measured energy expenditure over days 3-6 was higher with BSHGH (31.3 +/- 1.8 kcal/kg LBM/24 h) (131 +/- 7 kJ/kg LBM/24 h) than with placebo (27.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/kg LBM/24 h) (114 +/- 2 kJ/kg LBM/24 h). Fat oxidation with BSHGH (2.05 +/- 0.26 mg/kg LBM/24 h) was greater than with placebo (1.5 +/- 0.17 mg/kg LBM/24 h) and protein oxidation was less with BSHGH (0.68 +/- 0.07 g/kg LBM/24 h) than with placebo (0.9 +/- 0.09 g/kg LBM/24 h) on days 1-6. Postoperative nitrogen turnover (BSHGH 943 +/- 174 mg N/kg LBM/24 h, placebo 557 +/- 50 mg N/kg LBM/24 h) (BSHGH 67 +/- 13 mmol/kg LBM/24 h, placebo 40 +/- 4 mmol/kg LBM/24 h), protein synthesis (BSHGH 5.31 +/- 1.09 g prot/kg LBM/24 h, placebo 2.54 +/- 0.33 g prot/kg LBM/24 h) and protein breakdown (BSHGH 5.90 +/- 1.09 g prot/kg LBM/24 h, placebo 3.48 +/- 0.31 g prot/kg LBM/24 h) were greater with BSHGH. On the first postoperative day serum insulin and blood glucose levels were higher with BSHGH than with placebo, and on days 4 and 7 serum somatomedin-C levels were significantly elevated. This study shows that BSHGH alters postoperative protein and energy metabolism by reducing protein oxidation and increasing fat oxidation with raised rates of whole body nitrogen turnover.

The antenatal histories of 42 patients with posterior urethral valves diagnosed between June 1987 and September 1990 were reviewed. The mothers of all patients had at least one ultrasound scan during pregnancy. Despite this, fetal uropathy was diagnosed in only 19 cases. The remaining 23 undiagnosed children presented acutely, all within the first 6 months of life. In 33 of 36 pregnancies scanned before 24 weeks' gestation, fetal urological pathology was undetected. Mean plasma creatinine (pCr) at presentation in the group antenatally diagnosed was 139 mumol/l and in those presenting acutely was 238 mumol/l. All pCr analysed were taken after at least 48 h of life. Renal function as measured by follow-up pCr was better in the antenatally diagnosed group during the first year of life. It would appear that a routine second ultrasound scan at 26 weeks' gestation or later would reveal more cases of posterior urethral valves and this information may improve the outcome in terms of renal function.

Five cases of bacterial endocarditis associated with pregnancy are described. Despite modem therapy, the seriousness of the condition prevails. Emergency vaIve replacement during the acute stage of the disease is now possible.