We conclude that clinically identifiable CT is rare in the neonatal population. Furthermore, catheter-specific characteristics are predictive for CT and require further investigation.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (B.P.D.) is a condition reflecting the reaction of the immature lung to the intensive support (barotrauma from mechanical ventilation and oxygen toxicity) required for survival in critically ill newborn infants. This study examines all infants who developed B.P.D. over a 2 year period in the Rotunda Hospital. Between 1st January 1986-31st December 1987 there were 1,360 N.I.C.U. admissions, 198 with respiratory problems and 76 requiring assisted ventilation (I.P.P.V.); 23 infants developed B.P.D. with a mean gestational age of 28.7 weeks (SD 2.5), mean birth weight 1,243 g. (SD 523 g.). One infant died at 4 months from S.I.D.S. and one was lost to follow-up (both had been clinically normal). At one year post term the weight was 7,843 g. (SD 1,134) (normal population mean 9.75 Kg. third percentile 8 Kg.) and head circumference 46 cm. (SD 2.5) (normal population mean 47 cm., third percentile 45 cm). During the 1st year of life 11 infants required re-hospitalisation (5 bronchiolitis, 2 urinary tract infections, 2 failure to thrive, 2 myringotomies/grommets) and a further 8 attended hospital with respiratory infections. Only 6/21 received 3 in 1 vaccine (all in hospital O.P.D.) and 14/21 received 2 in 1 vaccine. At one year 15 infants were normal, 2 had cerebral palsy, 2 mild motor delay (one with arrested hydrocephalus), 1 sensorineural deafness and 1 arrested hydrocephalus with mild motor delay. Five infants developed retinopathy of prematurity but none required treatment.

A 12 month review of infants admitted with neonatal abstinence syndrome to a neonatal intensive care unit was undertaken. The relationship of maternal drug abuse to symptoms, the effectiveness of pharmacologic agents in controlling symptoms and the length of inpatient stay were investigated.A retrospective review of maternal and infant records was performed. Those infants with a serial Finnegan score greater than 8 were treated. Pharmacologic treatment was oral morphine sulphate (0.2mg 4-6 hourly), phenobarbitone (3-7mgs/kg/day), or combination of the above. 43 infants were admitted to the hospital during the year. The average maternal age was 24.6 years, (18-34 years). Drug use volunteered by the mothers was methadone alone in 6 cases, methadone and benzodiazepines in 14, methadone and heroin and benzodiazepines in 7, methadone and heroin in 10, heroin alone in 2, and other multiple drug use including oral morphine sulphate, dothiepin and cannabis in 4. Average gestational age was 40.3 (35-42 weeks). The average birthweight was 2.81 kgs (1.89-3.91 kgs). Time to onset of withdrawal symptoms was 2.8 <1-13) days. The duration of pharmacologic treatment (oral morphine sulphate and/or phenobarbitone) was 21.8 (1-62) days. The total hospital stay for the 43 infants was 1,011 days.This study confirms that polydrug abuse is the commonest type of drug abuse in Dublin, The duration of withdrawal symptoms is loosely related to drug type. but increasing duration of symptoms is noted for infants exposed to benzodiazepines. Our experience would favour the use of morphine sulphate to treat pure opiate withdrawal symptoms. Over the 12-month period, there was an average occupancy of 3 beds per day in the paediatric department.

No abstract