Background: The objective of this study was to establish a prospective population-based cohort to investigate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Methods: The Olmsted County, Minn., population, aged 70-89 years on October 1, 2004, was enumerated using the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Eligible subjects were randomly selected and invited to participate. Participants underwent a comprehensive in-person evaluation including the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurological evaluation and neuropsychological testing. A consensus diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI or dementia was made by a panel using previously published criteria. A subsample of subjects was studied via telephone interview. Results: Four hundred and two subjects with dementia were identified from a detailed review of their medical records but were not contacted. At baseline, we successfully evaluated 703 women aged 70-79 years, 769 women aged 80-89 years, 730 men aged 70-79 years and 517 men aged 80-89 years (total n = 2,719). Among the participants, 2,050 subjects were evaluated in person and 669 via telephone. Conclusions: Strengths of the study are that the subjects were randomly selected from a defined population, the majority of the subjects were examined in person, and MCI was defined using published criteria. Here, we report the design and sampling, participation, baseline measures and sample characteristics.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24191号 / 医博第4885号 / 新制||医||1060(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 中山 健夫, 教授 松村 由美, 教授 万代 昌紀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

no / The present study aimed to explore previously unreported ethnic differences in infant feeding practices during the introduction of solid foods, accounting for maternal and birth factors, and to determine whether these feeding patterns are associated with BMI at 3 years of age. An observational study using Poisson regression was carried out to investigate the relationship between ethnicity and infant feeding practices and linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between feeding practices and BMI at 3 years of age in a subsample of 1327 infants in Bradford. It was found that compared with White British mothers, mothers of Other ethnicities were less likely to replace breast milk with formula milk before introducing solid foods (adjusted relative risk (RR) – Pakistani: 0·76 (95 % CI 0·64, 0·91), Other South Asian: 0·58 (95 % CI 0·39, 0·86), and Other ethnicities: 0·50 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·73)). Pakistani and Other South Asian mothers were less likely to introduce solid foods early ( < 17 weeks) (adjusted RR – Pakistani: 0·92 (95 % CI 0·87, 0·96) and Other South Asian: 0·87 (95 % CI 0·81, 0·93)). Other South Asian mothers and mothers of Other ethnicities were more likely to continue breast-feeding after introducing solid foods (adjusted RR – 1·72 (95 % CI 1·29, 2·29) and 2·12 (95 % CI 1·60, 2·81), respectively). Pakistani and Other South Asian infants were more likely to be fed sweetened foods (adjusted RR – 1·18 (95 % CI 1·13, 1·23) and 1·19 (95 % CI 1·10, 1·28), respectively) and Pakistani infants were more likely to consume sweetened drinks (adjusted RR 1·72 (95 % CI 1·15, 2·57)). No association between infant feeding practices and BMI at 3 years was observed. Although ethnic differences in infant feeding practices were found, there was no association with BMI at 3 years of age. Interventions targeting infant feeding practices need to consider ethnicity to identify which populations are failing to follow recommendations.

Yes / Despite a wealth of activity across the globe in the area of longitudinal population cohorts, surprisingly little information is available on the natural biomedical history of a number of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (ND), and the scope for intervention studies based on these cohorts is only just beginning to be explored. The Joint Programming Initiative on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) recently developed a novel funding mechanism to rapidly mobilise scientists to address these issues from a broad, international community perspective. Ten expert Working Groups, bringing together a diverse range of community members and covering a wide ND landscape (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal degeneration, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lewy-body and vascular dementia) were formed to discuss and propose potential approaches to better exploiting and coordinating cohort studies. The purpose of this work is to highlight the novel funding process along with a broad overview of the guidelines and recommendations generated by the ten groups, which include investigations into multiple methodologies such as cognition/functional assessment, biomarkers and biobanking, imaging, health and social outcomes, and pre-symptomatic ND. All of these were published in reports that are now publicly available online.

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important outcome in asthma, since traditional outcomes, such as respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function, might not entirely express the patient’s perception of the limitations caused by the disease. The aim of this thesis was to study HRQL in asthma and to analyse if HRQL was related to asthma onset and prognosis. Other aims were to identify determinants of low HRQL in clinically-verified asthmatics, and to study whether low HRQL was a predictor of mortality. In 1990, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 12,560 individuals from three age groups (16, 30-39, and 60-69 years) in two counties of Sweden. In a second phase, all subjects who reported a history of obstructive respiratory symptoms (n = 1,851) and 600 randomly-selected controls were invited to a clinical investigation including spirometry, allergy testing, and assessment of HRQL with the Gothenburg Quality of Life instrument. In 2003, the eligible subjects in the cohort (n=11,282) were sent a new questionnaire. Mortality data in the cohort was followed up during 1990–2008 using data from the National Board of Health and Welfare Mortality Database. The 616 subjects with clinically-verified asthma 1990 had significantly lower HRQL than subjects without asthma. In the 2003 follow-up, the 305 subjects with persistent asthma had a lower HRQL than the 155 subjects who showed improvement in asthma during the follow-up. Subjects who had developed asthma by the follow-up had a significantly lower HRQL at baseline than those who did not develop asthma. Significant determinants of quality of life in asthma were female sex, smoking habits, higher airway responsiveness to irritants, respiratory symptom severity, positive skin prick test, and absenteeism from work or school. Low HRQL was related to increased mortality, but this association was not found when analyzing the asthmatic group alone. In conclusion, measurements of HRQL are of value for evaluating both the impact and progression of asthma. / <p>medicine doktorsexamen</p>

INTRODUÇÃO: Os relatos do desenvolvimento motor de recém-nascidos prétermo (RNPT) extremo são razoavelmente bem documentados, mas pouco se sabe sobre o desenvolvimento de RNPT Tardios (RNPT T). OBJETIVOS: Analisar o desenvolvimento motor de RNPT T desde o nascimento até a idade corrigida de termo e comparar ao de recém-nascidos de termo (RNT) ao nascer. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte, prospectivo, com 29 RNPT Te 88 RNT de 4 hospitais credenciados à rede pública de saúde no município de Cuiabá/MT. OS RNPT T foram submetidos à avaliação motora através do Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) ao nascer, realizaram US de crânio nas duas primeiras semanas de vida e repetiram o TIMP a cada duas semanas até a idade equivalente ao termo, bem como as medidas de peso, comprimento e perímetro cefálico. Ao termo, foi realizada uma avaliação neurológica pelo método de Dubowitz. Os RNT foram submetidos à avaliação motora pelo TIMP e neurológica de Dubowitz ao nascer. ANÁLISE ESTATÍSTICA: O tamanho da amostra definiu 29 crianças no grupo RNPT T, considerando um poder de teste de 80% e nível de significância de 5%. As análises basearam-se nos testes Exato de Fisher e Qui Quadrado e para comparação das variáveis quantitativas, os testes t de Student para duas amostras pareadas e teste t de Student para duas amostras independentes. Para análise dos fatores preditores do TIMP ao T foi realizada Regressão Múltipla Linear. RESULTADOS: Dos 29 RNPT T avaliados, 23 (79,3%) apresentaram US de crânio dentro da normalidade, 2 (6,9%) hemorragia intracraniana (HIC) grau I e 4 (13,8%) HIC grau I bilateral. O escore total do TIMP aumentou significativamente a partir de 38 - 39 semanas no grupo RNPT T (51,9 ± 5,8 às 34-35 sem, 53,6 ± 6,4 às 36-37 sem, 57,7 ± 7,3 às 38-39 sem e 62,6 ± 5,2 às 40 sem) (p < 0,05). As médias dos escores do TIMP de RNPT T em idades equivalentes às dos RNT ao nascer foram, às 38- 39 sem, de 57,7 ± 7,3 e 59,8 ± 6,4 e, às 40 sem, de 62,6 ± 5,2 e 61,7 ± 5,0,respectivamente, sem diferenças estatísticas entre estes. Por análise de regressão múltipla linear foram identificados a idade materna e o perímetro cefálico como preditores do TIMP em RNPT T em idade equivalente ao termo. Não foram encontradas diferenças ao comparar os escores das avaliações neurológicas pelo método Dubowitz de RNPT T aos de termo ao nascer. CONCLUSÃO: RNPT T de baixo risco podem apresentar evolução motora com aumento significante a partir de 38-39 semanas pós-termo, alcançando desempenho motor em idade equivalente ao termo, semelhante ao de RNT ao nascer. A idade materna e o PC foram identificados como preditores do escore do TIMP em RNPT T à idade corrigida de termo / INTRODUCTION: Reports on the motor development of extremely preterm infants are frequent in the literature, but little is known about the development of late preterm infants (LPI). OBJECTIVES: To analyze the motor development of LPI from birth until term-corrected age, and compare with that of term infants (TI) at birth. METHODS: A cohort study was performed, in which the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) was administered to 29 LPI at birth and repeated every two weeks until term-corrected age, as well as the anthropometric measures of weight, length and head circumference. A cranial ultrasound (US) in the first two weeks of age and a Dubowitz neurological assessment were administered to LPI at term corrected age. The TIMP and the Dubowitz neurological examination were administered to TI at birth. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The sample size was defined as 29 LPI, considering a test power of 80 % and a significance level of 5. Qualitative variables were compared using the Fisher exact test and Chi Square and Student\'s t test for two samples and paired Student\'s t test for two independent samples for quantitative variables. The multiple linear regression was performed for analysis of predictors of TIMP at term time. RESULTS: Among the 29 LPI evaluated, 23 (79.3%) had a cranial US within normal limits, 2 (6.9%) intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) grade I, and 4 (13.8%) bilateral ICH grade I. The mean TIMP score and standard deviation of LPI was 51.9 ± 5.8 at 34-35 weeks and 62.6 ± 5.2 at 40 weeks. There was a significant increase at 38-39 weeks in the LPI group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the motor evaluations between LPI at the age equivalent to TI at birth (38-39 weeks and 40 weeks). The growth of LPI until term was adequate in relation to Alexander curve. After multiple linear regression we found that maternal age and head circumference were predictors of TIMP in LP at term age. No differences were found when comparing the scores of neurological assessments by Dubowitz between LPI and T infants. CONCLUSION: Low risk LPI presented a gradual progression of motor development until the term-corrected age, but differences with TI at birth were not detected. Maternal age and head circumference were identified as predictors of TIMP score at term in LPI

As taxas de infecção hospitalar (IH) entre centros neonatais variam consideravelmente, sugerindo que fatores de risco possam ser modificados pela qualidade da assistência, as características do recém-nascido (RN) e o controle das infecções. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a epidemiologia da infecção e da mortalidade hospitalar na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal do Hospital Geral de Itapecerica da Serra SECONCI SP OSS de 1º de janeiro de 2002 a 31 de dezembro de 2003. O estudo foi desenvolvido em modelo de coorte e a análise dos dados referentes às IH precoces e tardias foi retrospectiva, mas eles foram coletados prospectivamente, seguindo os métodos do NNIS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System). Os RN foram classificados pelo Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS) para avaliar sua gravidade, dentro das primeiras 24 horas após a admissão. Foram incluídos no estudo 486 RN: 426 de origem interna (87,7%) e 60 de origem externa (12,3%). A incidência acumulada de IH foi de 30,6% e a densidade de 25,1 por 1.000 pacientes-dia (7,9 para infecção precoce e 17,2 para a tardia). A sepse foi o tipo de infecção mais freqüente (54,0%) seguida pela pneumonia (20,0%). Dos agentes microbianos isolados, 54,3% foram gram-positivos, sendo o mais encontrado o Staphylococcus coagulase negativo. A maioria dos RN teve um escore de gravidade menor ou igual a 19 (88,1%), sendo a pontuação máxima encontrada de 39, e os RN externos obtiveram uma pontuação significantemente maior. A aquisição de IH, tanto precoce como tardia, mostrou-se associada com a gravidade do RN à admissão. A taxa de mortalidade hospitalar foi de 8,6% e mostrou-se mais elevada entre os RN de origem externa. As IH foram a causa ou contribuíram para o óbito em 26 (61,9%) dos RN que faleceram. Não houve associação estatística entre o local de nascimento e a ocorrência de infecção hospitalar precoce e tardia. A análise univariada mostrou os seguintes fatores de risco para infecção tardia: prematuridade, baixo peso, pequeno para a idade gestacional, número de consultas de prénatal, reanimação na sala de parto, uso de respirador, cateter central, nutrição parenteral, tempo de permanência e escore de gravidade à admissão. Na análise múltipla, o modelo final incluiu as variáveis: peso de nascimento, escore terapêutico nas primeiras 24 horas após a admissão e uso de nutrição parenteral. A epidemiologia da infecção hospitalar da UTIN do HGIS está de acordo com o observado na literatura médica. Ela está sujeita às características dos RN assistidos, às práticas assistenciais e de controle de infecção hospitalar implementadas pelo serviço de terapia intensiva neonatal, independente do local de nascimento do RN admitido na UTIN. / Nosocomial infections rates varies widely among Neonatal Centers suggesting that risk factors can be modify by assistance quality, newborn characteristics and infection control practices. The aim of this study was to analyze nosocomial infections epidemiology and mortality rate among neonates admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hospital Geral de Itapecerica da Serra SECONCI SP OSS from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003. The study was carried out in a cohort model, with data analyze retrospectively but collected by active surveillance following the NNIS (National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System) methodology. Neonates were classified according to Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS) to assess illness severity within the first 24 hours of admission. 486 newborn infants were included in the study: 426 (87.7%) inborn infants and 60 (12.3%) out born infants. Nosocomial infection incidence rate was 30.6% and the incidence density was 25.1 per 1000 patients-day (7.9 for early infections and 17.2 for late infections). Sepsis was the most frequent infection (54.0%), followed by pneumonia (20.0%). Among microbial agents isolated 54.3% were Gram-positive organisms, and coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequent. Most neonates have shown a severity score lower or equal to 19 (88.1%), and the maximum score was 39. Outborn neonates have shown a significant higher severity score. Nosocomial infections were associated with newborn severity index at admission. Nosocomial mortality rate was 8.6% and higher among out born neonates. Hospital infections were classified as cause or contributed for death in 26 (61.9%) neonates. No statistic association was seen between the neonate birth place and nosocomial infections. Univariate analyzes showed the following risk factors for late infections: prematurity, low birth weigh, low weight for gestational age, prenatal visits number, resuscitation following birth, respirator, central catheter and parenteral nutrition use, length of stay and severity score at admission. Multivariate logistic regression model included the following variables: birth weigh, therapeutic score within 24 hours of admission and parenteral nutrition use. Nosocomial infection epidemiology at HGIS´s UTIN is similar with what was observed in medical literature. It is dependent of newborn characteristics, assistance and infection control practices within the neonatal intensive care therapy, and is independent of newborn place of birth

A fragilidade é uma síndrome geriátrica de causa multifatorial e está associada ao declínio funcional, à dependência, a quedas recorrentes, a fraturas, à institucionalização, hospitalização e morte. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a evolução da fragilidade e sua relação com a mortalidade em idosos que vivem em uma comunidade brasileira, em um período médio de seguimento de 2055,5 (dp=86,4) dias. Trata-se de uma coorte, realizada em duas avaliações na cidade de Ribeirão Preto-SP, com uma amostra na primeira etapa em 2007/2008 de 515 idosos e na segunda com 262 idosos que viviam na comunidade de ambos os sexos e idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de visitas domiciliares, utilizando-se os instrumentos de informação pessoal, perfil social, morbidades autorreferidas, Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) e mortalidade. Os dados foram analisados por meio do Programa SPSS, onde foram realizadas as análises estatísticas. Utilizou-se análise univariada dos dados e para as variáveis qualitativas a distribuição de frequências absolutas(n) e relativas(%). Para as variáveis quantitativas, foram usados medidas de tendência central (média e mediana), dispersão (desvio-padrão); Teste t pareado, teste de qui-quadrado, teste de McNemar, teste de Wilcoxon, Coeficiente de correlação de Pearson, Exato de Fisher, Risco Relativo, análise de sobrevivência de Kaplan-Meier e Regressão de Cox. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo. Na primeira avaliação, em 2007/2008, participaram da pesquisa 515 idosos, sendo 67,4% do sexo feminino, média de idade de 75,37, sendo maior proporção de casados e média de 5,56 doenças. Em 2013, foram reavaliados 262 participantes, sendo maioria de mulheres com a média de idade de 79,31, maior proporção de viúvos e com média de doenças de 5,16. Quanto à evolução da fragilidade, houve um aumento significativo, durante o período de seguimento, com uma prevalência de fragilidade de 17,6%, em 2007/2008, e 50,4%, em 2013. Na análise dos itens da escala, percebeu-se uma diferença significativa entre as duas avaliações na função cognitiva, internação dos últimos 12 meses, descrição do estado de saúde, capacidade funcional, polifarmácia, incontinência urinária e desempenho funcional. Observou-se, ainda, uma correlação entre a escolaridade e o número de doenças e fragilidade, em que quanto menor a escolaridade, maior o escore de fragilidade. E quanto maior a evolução do número de doenças, maior o escore de fragilidade. Entre os idosos que faleceram, a maioria era do sexo feminino, com uma média de idade de 79,18 anos, maior percentagem de viúvos e 45,7% frágeis. O risco relativo de óbito foi significativamente maior entre os idosos mais velhos e entre aqueles que não tinham companheiro. Ao verificar a análise de sobrevivência, constatou-se ainda que a proporção de sobreviventes foi significativamente maior entre os idosos que tinham companheiro e entre aqueles não frágeis. E considerando o modelo de regressão de Cox, verificou-se que o grupo etário e a fragilidade foram preditores para o óbito. Portanto, reconhecer os fatores que contribuem para a evolução da fragilidade pode contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida e, consequentemente, para uma maior sobrevida / Frailty is a geriatric syndrome of multifactorial cause and is associated with functional decline, dependency, recurrent falls, fractures, institutionalization, hospitalization and death. The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of frailty and its association with mortality in older people who live in a Brazilian community in a mean follow-up period of 2055.5 (sd=86.4) days. This is a cohort study conducted in two assessments in the city of Ribeirão Preto, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, with a first stage sample of 515 older people in 2007 and 2008, and the second with 262 older people of both genders, aged 65 years and older, who lived in the community. Data were collected by means of home visits, with the use of the following tools: personal information, social profile, self-reported morbidities, Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and mortality. The data were analyzed by means of the SPSS software, where statistical analyses were conducted. Univariate analysis of the data, and absolute(n) and relative(%) frequencies for qualitative variables were used. Measures of central tendency (mean and median), dispersion (standard deviation); paired t-test, chi- squared test, McNemar\'s test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson\'s correlation coefficient, Fisher\'s exact test, relative risk, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used for quantitative variables. The research project was approved by the Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing Ethics Committee, at University of São Paulo. In the first assessment in 2007 and 2008, 515 older people participated in the study, being 67.4% women, with a mean age of 75.37 years, a higher proportion of married individuals and who had a mean of 5.56 diseases. In 2013, 262 participants were re-evaluated, being most women with a mean age of 79.3 years, with a higher proportion of widowers and a mean of 5.16 diseases. Regarding the evolution of frailty, a significant increase was observed during the follow-up period, with frailty prevalence of 17.6% in 2007 and 2008, and 50.4% in 2013. In the analysis of the scale items, a significant difference was observed between the two assessments as for the cognitive function, hospitalization in the last 12 months, description of the health condition, functional capacity, polypharmacy, urinary incontinence and functional performance. A correlation between education and number of diseases with frailty was also observed, in which, the lower the education level, the higher the frailty score, and the higher the evolution of the number of diseases, the higher the frailty score. Among the older people who died, most were women, with a mean age of 79.18 years, with a higher proportion of widowers and 45.7% frail individuals. The relative risk of death was significantly higher among the oldest individuals and those who did not have partners. When verifying the survival analysis, it was also noted that the proportion of survivors was significantly higher among the older people who did not have partners and those who were not frail. Moreover, considering the Cox regression model, it was verified that age group and frailty were predictors for death. Therefore, recognizing factors that contribute to the evolution of frailty can contribute to improving quality of life, and consequently having a longer life

Introdução: Neutropenia febril é uma emergência médica que demanda um diagnóstico precoce e administração de antibióticos o mais breve possível. A procalcitonina (PCT) é um marcador inflamatório que vem sendo utilizado como um indicador de infecção bacteriana grave. A detecção precoce do quadro séptico é difícil, principalmente numa população heterogênea como no caso dos neutropênicos febris. A possibilidade de um único exame laboratorial poder identificar precocemente os quadros de sepse contribuiria de forma significativa para melhorar o prognóstico destes pacientes. Objetivo: Avaliar os níveis de PCT como marcador de infecção sistêmica comparados aos níveis de proteína C-reativa (PCR) em pacientes neutropênicos febris. Métodos: Foram estudadas amostras de 65 pacientes com a finalidade de determinar as concentrações séricas de PCT, PCR e outros parâmetros hematológicos em três momentos diferentes: antes da febre, no momento da febre e 72 após o término da febre. Os pacientes foram divididos inicialmente em quatro grupos: com infecção sistêmica comprovada laboratorial ou clinicamente (I), com febre de origem indeterminada - FOI- (II), com infecção localizada (III) e com infecção fúngica confirmada (IV). Posteriormente, os grupos I e IV foram denominados de 1 (com infecção sistêmica) e os grupos II e III de 2 (sem infecção sistêmica). Treze pacientes não apresentaram febre durante a internação sendo excluídos da comparação PCT/PCR. Resultados: A concentração de PCT mostrou estar associada com o diagnóstico de infecção grave e neutropenia febril. Não houve correlação entre os níveis de PCT e PCR. Conclusão: Fica evidente que a PCT demonstrou ser um marcador útil para o diagnóstico de infecção sistêmica em neutropenia febril, sendo provavelmente, superior à PCR. Pode-se caracterizar a PCT como um auxiliar de indicador de infecção sistêmica já no primeiro dia de apresentação da febre. A PCT, ao contrário da PCR, foi capaz de distinguir entre infecção sistêmica e infecção localizada ou febre de origem indeterminada, tendo boa capacidade diagnóstica. Entretanto, a PCT não se correlacionou com o prognóstico, possivelmente pelo pequeno tamanho da amostra, apesar da curva ROC da PCT do grupo com infecção sistêmica com evolução para óbito ter delimitado uma área estatisticamente diferente da esperada pelo acaso. / Introduction: Febrile neutropenia is a medical emergency that calls for a precocious diagnosis and the administration of antibiotics as soon as possible. The procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory marker that has been used as an indicator of severe bacterial infection. Considering that neutropenic population is heterogeneous, an early and only reliable laboratory test that could identify septic patients would be of great value to improve its outcome. Objective: Assess the diagnostic value of PCT as a marker of systemic infection, comparing with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in febrile neutropenia. Methods: Sixty-five adults patients were enrolled in the study. Blood sample was collected in order to determine the serum concentrations of PCT, CRP and other hematological parameters at three different moments: before the beginning of fever, at the onset of fever and 72 hours after cessation of it. Firstly, the patients were divided into four groups: with clinical or laboratorial proven systemic infection (I), with fever of undetermined origin (FUO) (II), with localized infection (III) and with proven fungal infection (IV). After that, the groups I and IV were named as 1:- with systemic infection. The groups II and III were named 2:- without systemic infection. Thirteen patients did not present fever during evolution and were excluded from the PCT/PCR comparison among febrile patients. Results: The PCT concentration showed it was associated with the diagnosis of severe infection in febrile neutropenia. No correlation could be found between the levels of PCT and CRP. Conclusion: PCT seems to be an useful marker for the diagnosis of systemic infection in febrile neutropenia, probably better than CRP. We could assume that PCT could indicate systemic infection at the very first day of the outcome of fever. Only PCT (and not CRP) could be able to distinguish between systemic infection and localized infection or FUO, with excellent diagnostic capacity. However none of the markers (PCT and CRP) could be correlated to prognosis, possibly due to the small size of the sample. Nevertheless, PCT ROC curve for evolution to death as a result of systemic infection limit an area under the curve statistically different that expected by chance.

A necessidade de usar a idade corrigida nos recém-nascidos pré-termos (RNPTs) ao avaliar o desenvolvimento motor (DM) é um assunto controverso. Para verificar a necessidade de usar a correção de idade nos primeiros seis meses de idade corrigida, 43 RNPTs foram analisados, por meio da Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), como um todo e divididos em dois grupos segundo a idade gestacional. Os resultados sugerem que há diferença estatística significativa no DM, quando se utiliza a idade cronológica. Portanto, há necessidade de corrigir a idade, para não subestimar o DM dos RNPTs, classificando-os como atrasado / The need of using the corrected age in pre-term infants (PT) to assess the motor development (MD) is a controversial issue. To verify the need of using the corrected age, during the first six months the corrected age, 43 PT were analysed according to Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), as one group and as divided into two groups according to gestational age. The results suggested that there is statistically significance in the MD, when the chronological age is used. In conclusion, there is the need of correcting the age, in order not to under-estimate the MD of PT, classifying them as delayed