The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of vertical Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transmission. We developed two nested-PCR methods for amplifying distinct regions of EBV DNA (BNRF1 and BamHI W) in circulating lymphocytes. Nested PCR was applied to samples obtained from 67 mother-infant pairs within 1 week of birth. We also tested samples from 16 neonates born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected mothers to determine whether HIV increases the potential risk of vertical EBV transmission. About half of the 67 women in the first population were positive by nested PCR. Two neonates born to EBV PCR-positive women were also PCR positive. One of the 16 neonates born to HIV-infected women was PCR positive for EBV. These results strongly support the possibility of EBV transmission in utero or during delivery but do not suggest that HIV infection increases this risk. Further studies are required to confirm these findings, to identify the precise mode of vertical EBV transmission, and to determine the outcome for infants who are positive at birth for EBV DNA by nested PCR.

We measured the changes in cutaneous bilirubin (Br) and serum Br photoisomers in two groups of 5 jaundiced newborn infants treated by intensive phototherapy (IP), one with blue light and the other with green light. Cutaneous Br was measured with a transcutaneous jaundice meter and photoisomers were measured by HPLC. Cutaneous Br decreased in the two groups as soon as IP began, and the skin was completely bleached within 3h with blue light only. Rebound occurred which was more marked after blue light IP. The main serum photoproduct was the 4Z-15E isomer, which reached a steady-state level within 1 h in both groups, whereas the lumirubin and 4E-15Z Br concentrations were slightly higher after green light IP. These data indicate that blue light is more suitable for IP, although this is not clearly explained by the production of more lumirubin.

A systematic study was undertaken to evaluate the urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), creatinine and total protein elimination in 76 normal subjects divided into five groups during the first 30 years of life. This shows that urinary THP flow, relating to body surface area, increases progressively up to adult age.

In a series of 818 patients treated with indomethacin during pregnancy, the rate of perinatal complications was 1.8%. The risk was increased to 13% if indomethacin was being taken at the time of delivery, and when treatment was prolonged. The serious nature of certain complications (persistence of fetal circulation and oligo/anuria) means that indomethacin should only be used in cases in which betamimetic drugs are formally contraindicated or if there is a risk of unacceptable prematurity. Even in such cases, indomethacin should only be given for short period ( < 1 week).

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