7 months) and 14 underwent transannular patch repair (median age 4.5 months). There were seven deaths before surgery and one post-transannular patch repair. One patient required a transannular patch repair after the initial valve-sparing repair. Twelve of 29 (41%) patients received prostaglandins at birth. Type of surgical repair, use of prostaglandins and postnatal death were among the outcomes investigated. The mean pulmonary valve (PV) z-score was -3.0 +/- 2.0 and the mean PV/aortic valve (AoV) ratio was 0.65 +/- 0.10.

Lower PV z-score (P=0.04), smaller PV/AoV ratio (P=0.04) and the presence of nonantegrade arterial duct flow (P=0.02) AZD5582 were associated with prostaglandin use. A higher PV/AoV ratio was associated with valve-sparing repair Small molecule library (P=0.04). Fetal z-scores of the PV, AoV and right pulmonary artery at 29 to 32 weeks gestational age correlated with respective postnatal z-scores (P=0.01).CONCLUSION:

Fetal echocardiographic variables were associated with the use of prostaglandins and valve-sparing repair in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot, and at 29 weeks, correlated with postnatal valve diameters.”
“Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL)

in infants and small children (12-36 months). Methods: The PNL applications conducted in children <3 years of age in two centers were evaluated. Whereas pediatric PNL instrumentation was used in the first center, adult-size instrumentation was utilized in the second center. The complications were given according to the modified Clavien classification system. Results: The mean age of the patients was 22.76 months (5-36 months) and the mean body weight was 11.51 kg (6-15 kg). In

twelve renal units, pediatric instrumentation was used and among these, two had miniperc. In the other eight renal units, adult-size instrumentation was employed. Except for the patient with complex renal stones, all patients were stone free after the intervention and none required a conversion to open surgery. There were grade 1-2 complications in 3 patients. The postoperative click here hemoglobin drop was greater in the children who underwent PNL with adult-size instrumentation. Conclusion: In this young age group, in addition to standard PNL, simultaneous bilateral PNL, tubeless PNL and in urgent cases of renal failure, urgent PNL, are safe and effective treatment modalities provided patients are selected properly and the surgeon performing the procedure has the necessary experience. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Interest in evaluating purpose in life as an important component of ageing well is growing; however, investigation into the appropriate measurement of this construct is required. The purpose of this paper was to examine the measurement properties of the Life Engagement Test (LET) and to provide normative data for a non-clinical sample of community-dwelling older adults.