bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How satisfied are parents of pre‐school children who have special needs with the services they have received? A consumer survey
Authors: STALLARD PAUL , LENTON SIMON
Published: April 2006

Summary
The parents of 41 pre‐school children with special needs volunteered to participate in a consumer survey to ascertain their satisfaction with the services they had received and how these could be improved. The survey produced an overall high level of satisfaction, although parents felt they had not received as much information as they wanted on their child's condition (29%), available help for their family (44%), financial benefits (61%), or information about their child's future (61%). Families also felt that they had not received enough family support (43%), and that professionals regularly did not understand their concerns (32%). Ways in which these issues could be addressed are discussed, along with more general issues of such consumer satisfaction surveys.
Early social‐emotional development in blind infants
Authors: TRÖSTER HEINRICH , BRAMBRING MICHAEL
Published: April 2006

Summary
In order to study the impact of blindness on social and emotional development during the first year of life, the level of social‐emotional development was compared in blind and sighted 9‐ and 12‐month‐old infants. The five 9‐month‐old and the 17 12‐month‐old blind infants were completely blind from birth and exhibited no further serious disabilities. Social‐emotional development was assessed with a scale from the Bielefeld Developmental Test for Blind Infants and Preschoolers containing three subscales on emotions, social interaction and impulse control. Compared to non‐disabled infants, blind infants exhibited a more limited repertoire of facial expressions and less responsiveness. They less frequently attempted to initiate contact with their mothers (self‐initiated interactions) or comply with simple requests and prohibitions than sighted infants. These differences in the social‐emotional development of blind and sighted infants are traced back to the effects of blindness on the mother‐child interaction. The lack of visual perception appears to impede particularly the acquisition of a dialogue concept.
Pre‐school visually impaired children: visual stimulation and micro‐computers
Authors: BOZIC N. M. , HILL E. W. , TOBIN M. J.
Published: April 2006

Summary A justification is offered for using micro‐computers and specially‐designed programs with severely visually impaired pre‐school children. It is argued that this technology optimizes the visual environment for the child and provides immediate feedback about the correctness of his responses to the stimuli displayed on the screen. Some of the problems encountered in such use are described, with examples taken from sessions in which teachers are working with children as young as 2 years of age, using teaching/learning sequences designed to promote and exercise visual perception skills. Among the issues addressed are the nature of the language interactions between child and adult, the effects of altering the complexity of the tasks, and the possible value of formal task analysis as a means of enabling the teacher to pinpoint critical stages in the learning process.
BCG vaccination scars: incidence and acceptance amongst British high‐school children
Authors: FANG JANE W. S. , KO BEN M. L. , WILSON JUDITH A.
Published: April 2006

Summary In order to determine the incidence and acceptance of BCG scars, 287 high‐school children of different ethnic origins, in a London district, were examined for their BCG scars and interviewed for self‐appraisal of their scars 6–30 months after vaccination. BCG scars developed in a high proportion of children (89·5%). There was a female predominance among the 10·5% of children who did not develop scars (girls 12·8%, boys 5·9%, P < 0·05). Hypertrophic scars (defined as the largest diameter of scar > 13·24 mm, [i.e. 2 SD above mean]) were found in 3·11% and hypopigmented scars in 67·8% of the children and both tended to occur amongst hyperpigmented races. A high proportion of children found the scars unacceptable (23·4%), mostly girls (girls 35%, boys 7·8%, P < 0·0·004) and they showed a preference for other sites including inner aspect of arm and buttock for vaccination.
Behaviour problems in children with learning disabilities: to what extent do they exist and are they a problem?
Authors: SAXBY HELEN , MORGAN HILARY
Published: April 2006

Summary The parents of 68 young children with learning disabilities were interviewed to assess the number and type of behaviour problems that their child exhibited. Parents’ perceptions of their ability to cope with the behaviours were sought. The average number of behaviour problems was 7·4 per child, with poor concentration and sleep problems occurring most frequently. Fifty‐seven per cent of parents who reported that their child hurt themself felt unable to cope with those behaviours. Scores of parents’ perceived coping skills and malaise were associated with the number of behaviour problems. Parents who reported that their child hurt themself, hurt others or had a sleep problem were likely to have a higher malaise score.
Assessment of the reliability of school nurse height measurements in an inner‐city population. (The Hackney Growth Initiative)
Authors: COTTERILL A. M. , MAJROWSKI W. H. , HEARN S. J. , JENKINS S. , SAVAGE M. O.
Published: April 2006

Summary To establish the reliability of school nurses given training in height measurement we conducted an intra‐ and inter‐individual reliability study under field conditions. The measurements of 7 school nurses were compared with those of a trained auxologist. The pooled standard deviation of the differences between repeat measurements for the school nurses (0·32 cm) compared favourably with that of the auxologist (0·35 cm). Height measurements made by school nurses were accurate within the range of ‐0·53 cm to +0·64 cm when compared with the auxologist. We conclude that a single, accurate height measurement made by a school nurse would be sufficiently reliable for use in routine screening for short stature.
Deleterious effects of the prone position in the full‐term infant throughout the first year of life
Authors: DOURET LAURENCE
Published: April 2006

Summary Seventy‐one first‐born infants who had been nursed in prone position since birth, were referred for motor assessment at 3 months, 5 months and 9 months. All infants were administered the same checklist of motor items, based on the Amiel‐Tison Infant Neurological Evaluation and on the Brunet‐Lézine Developmental Psychomotor Scale. Abnormalities in muscular shortening and delay in motor skills were found. These findings are critical as regards environmental influences on postural development, continuities in motor development and issues of early primary prevention. Early identification and follow‐up programmes, including frequent changes in posture, are suggested in order to avoid abnormalities of motor behaviour and subsequently in postural patterns.
Everyday beliefs about sources of advice for the parents of difficult children
Authors: SONUGA‐BARKE EDMUND J. S. , THOMPSON MARGARET , BALDING JANE
Published: April 2006

Summary Parents were asked which sources of advice families with difficult children should seek. The results suggested a similar hierarchy of agencies for both boys and girls with emotional and behavioural problems. Teachers, doctors, child psychiatrists and health visitors all received strong positive ratings, books about children with problems received moderate positive ratings, religious leaders received the strongest negative ratings and grandparents and friends received neutral ratings. Implications for service provision are discussed.
Children with haemophilia: same or different?
Authors: LOGAN F. A. , GIBSON B. , HANN I. M. , PARRY‐JONES W. LI.
Published: April 2006

Summary Haemophilic children's perceptions of their own social and school function and their concerns about illness and expectations for the future were compared with those of diabetic and healthy children of the same age and social background. All three groups had similar anticipations about making friends, getting married, finding satisfactory employment and having children. Haemophilic and diabetic children were no more concerned than healthy children about being ill in the future and worried less about passing an illness on to others. Haemophilic, but not diabetic, children felt they were less able to run and play than others. The small sub‐group of HIV‐positive haemophiliacs differed only in that none of them envisaged having children.
The relations between Griffiths scales assessments in the pre‐school period and educational outcomes at 7+ years
Authors: CONN PHILIP
Published: April 2006

Summary This paper reports an administrative follow‐up of 107 children at least 7 years old who were assessed on the Griffiths scales of mental development for clinical purposes when they were aged 4–4.11 years. When Griffiths scale scores are compared with educational status at follow‐up, the analyses show that groups of children in settings requiring different levels of learning capacity scored differently on the scales and in line with expectation. There is also evidence of this trend in earlier years. The clinical use of this trend is illustrated.
CHARGE association looking at the future — the voice of a family support group
Authors: BLAKE KIM D. , BROWN DAVID
Published: April 2006

Summary CHARGE association is a non‐random collection of congenital anomalies. The condition is becoming more widely known to medical and educational professionals. The number of children diagnosed is increasing, probably because of the greater awareness of this condition. This paper considers some of the long‐term management problems which are often deferred in the early months, when acute life threatening problems take priority.

Questionnaires were sent to parents via the CHARGE Association Family Support Group, UK. Thirty‐nine were returned and incomplete information was sought by personal contact or telephone. The majority of children were known professionally to one or both authors and information was therefore checked from medical and educational notes.

There is still widespread misunderstanding about the impact of multiple disability, especially when this includes multi‐sensory impairment, on the early development of the child. Therefore, the information collected from the study has been from an educational and medical perspective, thereby aiding the understanding of these complex problems.

At the parents request, information was gathered about certain teratogens, of which Lindane, an organophosphate, is highlighted.
Impact of cerebral visual impairment on the everyday life of cerebral palsied children
Authors: SCHENK‐ROOTLIEB A. J. F. , VAN NIEUWENHUIZEN O. , SCHIEMANCK N. , VAN DER GRAAF Y. , WILLEMSE J.
Published: April 2006

Summary A group of 43 patients suffering from cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment was compared with a group of 24 cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity, with regard to a functional level in daily life. Four categories were considered: communication, emotional contact, self‐care and intelligence. Cerebral visual impairment‐cerebral palsy patients scored significantly lower in all categories than cerebral palsy patients with normal visual acuity. In the cerebral visual impairment‐cerebral palsy group, there was a higher frequency of tetraplegia compared with the group with normal acuity, but even after this predominance had been excluded, a significant difference remained. When dealing with cerebral palsy patients, occurrence of cerebral visual impairment must be taken into account. By initiating intervention programmes, one can prevent extra handicaps due to the consequences of diminished visual acuity.
Sensitivity of perceptuomotor measures for very low birthweight (VLBW ≤ 1500 g) pre‐schoolers
Authors: LIE K. G.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This longitudinal study investigated whether very low birthweight (VLBW ≶ 1500 g) pre‐schoolers with no major handicap differed in cognitive and perceptuomotor development from a control group of normal birthweight children, matched for gender, ethnic origin, birth order, social class and maternal age. There were statistically significant differences between the groups at 24, 30 and 36 months. At all test ages, the VLBW group showed less optimal fine motor skills, and at 36 months, obtained lower IQ scores. The implications of the developmental differences and the sensitivity of the measures are discussed.
The effectiveness of group therapy in treating children's sleeping problems
Authors: MESSER D. J. , LAUDER L. , HUMPHREY S.
Published: April 2006

Summary
The behavioural management approach to treating children's sleeping problems is being used by increasing numbers of health professionals. Despite this there are few formal evaluations of its effectiveness. In this study sleeping patterns of infants in a treatment and a control group were compared. Questionnaires about sleeping were given to mothers before treatment and afterwards, the questionnaires were given to mothers in the control group over a comparable period of time. Both groups of infants appeared to improve their sleeping over the period of the study, and no differences were found in the sleeping patterns of the two groups. The reasons for these findings are discussed.
Early language screening in City and Hackney: the concurrent validity of a measure designed for use with 2½‐year‐olds
Authors: LAW J.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This paper reports data relating to the development of a screening test for language impairment in 2½‐year‐oId children. The screening test itself has previously been described. The results of a pilot study and a larger community study are reported. In all, 34 children were included in the pilot study and 1015 in the community study. The reference test selected was the Reynell Developmental Language Scales and the cutoff adopted 1·5 standard deviations below the mean for either the expressive or the receptive scale of the test concerned. The pass mark on the screening test was ascertained using receiver operating characteristics (ROC). The validity is reported given the cut‐off identified. The specificity, sensitivity and both positive and negative predictive abilities are reported for both the pilot and the subsequent study. The application of the test is discussed in the context of the current debate about early identification.
Siblings of a child with cancer
Authors: HAVERMANS T. , EISER C.
Published: April 2006

Summary
A total of 21 healthy siblings were interviewed about their experiences when a brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer. Information about the illness, opinions about who should inform siblings, social support, specific worries and worst memories were studied, as well as perceptions of any differences in the way they were treated by their parents. A short General Impact Scale was developed to assess the extent to which the siblings felt their lives had been disrupted by the illness. Results on these measures were compared with scores on four dimensions of the Sibling Perception Questionnaire (Carpenter & Sahler 1991). Siblings who reported some positive effects as a consequence of the illness (they had become more empathic toward others, or valued life more) perceived their interpersonal relations to be more negatively affected, i.e. there were greater difficulties in their relationships with others especially their parents. Higher scores on communication were related to less of an impact of the illness on life generally. However, these siblings also reported heightened concerns that their brother or sister might die. The data suggested that siblings should have opportunities to talk about implications of the disease, especially worries about death, and more efforts should be made to prepare siblings for visits to hospital and seeing the sick child.
The availability of advice regarding infant feeding to immigrants of Vietnamese origin: a survey of families and health visitors
Authors: SHARMA A. , LYNCH M. A. , IRVINE M. L.
Published: April 2006

Summary
Since their arrival in Britain most Vietnamese mothers have abandoned traditional infant feeding practices for ‘modem’ methods which are unsatisfactory and expensive. Health staff are not perceived as a source of information or support. This paper emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive initiatives to reverse this trend.
Review: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: GORDON N.
Published: April 2006

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy does not seem to be recognized as often as it should be, accounting as it does for about one in 10 of those with epilepsy. In addition to the myoclonus, absence seizures and tonic‐clonic fits can occur. The interictal EEG shows polyspike and wave discharges, and during the myoclonus, medium to high amplitude 16 Hz spikes.

Patients may not be seen by a doctor until a major seizure occurs, and if a history of myoclonus is not obtained, inappropriate treatment may be given. The myoclonus may attributed to clumsiness. The inheritance of the condition is most probably polygenic, although it is claimed that juvenile myoclonic epilepsy may be determined by a single autosomal recessive gene. The most effective treatment is with sodium valproate, and this may have to be life‐long. In the presence of major seizures carbamazapine should be used with caution as it may exacerbate minor attacks.
The causes of children's institutionalization in Romania
Authors:   THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE COLLABORATIVE STUDY GROUP
Published: April 2006

A country‐wide, cross‐sectional survey was conducted to determine the causes of institutionalization of Romanian children aged 0–3 years. A total of 628 children were sampled at random. Interviews were conducted with directors of institutions and records of each sampled child were reviewed. Each sampled child was given a brief medical and developmental evaluation.

The children in Romanian institutions have one or more chronic health conditions. Their families have multiple, complex social problems. The referral to institutions usually involved a paediatrician (76% of children). Fifty‐four per cent of children were referred primarily from paediatric and maternity hospitals. The majority of children currently interned are likely to remain in institutional care. Implications for policy and re‐organization of health and social services are discussed.
Breaking bad news to parents with disabled children—a cross‐cultural study
Authors: KRAUSS‐MARS A. H. , LACHMAN P.
Published: April 2006

This cross‐cultural retrospective study investigates the problems parents experience when told that their child is physically and/or mentally disabled. The authors try to compare, where relevant, some of the responses of the parents from different ethnic groups.

The parents of 40 randomly selected coloured, 26 white and 24 black pre‐school children who were first seen at the Developmental Assessment Clinic at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa between January 1989 and December 1990 were asked to participate in this study. The final sample comprised 65 children.

Except for the Xhosa speaking parents, the majority of parents received the diagnosis in their own language (English or Afrikaans). Most Xhosa speaking parents denied having received an explanation of the diagnosis, or having had an opportunity to ask questions. Only a few black parents reported being asked as to their understanding of the diagnosis. White parents tended to deny the diagnosis of mental handicap more often than the other groups despite reporting that explanations were given. The majority of parents would have liked a written report after the first consultation. Despite these findings, most parents felt satisfied with the way the news were given to them, reported good progress in their children and some of them expected their children to go to a normal school. Use of a language other than the parent's tongue tends to have a negative influence on the communication between doctors and parents. A diagnosis of mild mental handicap, a ‘perception’ of good progress and an absence of visible signs of the disability contribute to parental denial of the reality of the child's developmental delay and its scholastic consequences.
The effect of child hyperactivity on mothers' expectations for development
Authors: Sonuga‐Barke E J S , Goldfoot M T
Published: April 2006

SummaryMothers of hyperactive (M‐Hyp) and control children (M‐NHyp) estimated the age at which their child and children normally would reach a number of significant developmental milestones. M‐Hyp and M‐NHyp had similar timetables for normal development while their judgements about their own child's development were different. M‐Hyp saw their children as delayed relative to normal development and M‐NHyp saw theirs as advanced. This group difference spanned the social, communicative, cognitive and self‐care domains. The generality of this effect was particularly surprising as the two groups of children had similar IQ scores. A number of explanations for this are discussed, including the possibility that this finding represents an Important generalization of low expectations from the purely social to the communicative/cognitive domains. The implications of this possibility for hyperactive children s development are discussed.
Parents' attributions about childhood cancer: implications for relationships with medical staff
Authors: Eiser C , Havertnans T , Elser J R
Published: April 2006

Summary
Improvements in therapy have resulted in increasing numbers of children being successfully treated for cancer. However, the aggressiveness of therapy and uncertainty about prognosis are associated with many adverse effects, psychological as well as physical, for both the child and family. This study investigates family coping with treatment in relation to attributions about cause and responsibility for onset of the disease. We interviewed parents of 30 children with cancer (28 mothers and 23 fathers) about their attributions of causality, and perceptions of responsibility for the diagnosis and care of the child. Coping strategies which were found to be helpful were assessed using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Fathers were more likely than mothers to accept that there was no known cause for the child's illness. Fathers who blamed doctors for failing to diagnose the condition found medical staff less helpful up to 2 years later. The theoretical importance of blaming others more than oneself is discussed, along with practical implications for services In paediatric oncology.
Maternal distress and perceptions of infant development following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and conventional ventilation for persistent pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Warschausky S , MacKenzie J , Roth R S , Bartlett R H
Published: April 2006

Summary
Neurodevelopmental outcome and concurrent maternal distress were examined for infants who suffered persistent pulmonary hypertension at birth and were treated with either extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (n= 19) or conventional ventilation (CV) (n= 15). Mothers were asked to complete inventories assessing their infant's (mean age 8.74 months) developmental growth as well as their own psychological health. Relevant sociodemographic and treatment parameters were also entered into the analysis. The results indicated that ECMO and CV infants did not differ on developmental indices and impairment rates were 15–23% respectively, similar to previous reports, in addition, ECMO and CV mothers did not differ in their reports of psychological distress. Correlational analyses revealed that length of treatment for ECMO but not CV infants significantly predicted developmental delay and maternal distress. For CV mothers, maternal distress was associated with the perception of delayed language. The results are discussed in terms of the limited morbidity associated with ECMO and CV interventions and the possible role of a ‘vulnerable child syndrome’ in understanding the maternal‐infant relationship following ECMO therapy.
Do mothers and fathers interact differently with their child or is it the situation which matters?
Authors: Walker K , Armstrong L
Published: April 2006

This study aimed to test the Differential Experience Hypothesis which suggests mothers and fathers interact differently with their child. The forms and functions of parents' language in interaction with their 2‐2.5‐year‐oid chiid were investigated across four different Interactional settings within the home and for each parent separately. The results, supporting the differential experience hypothesis, suggest that differences do exist between mothers' and fathers' conversational styles. However, the findings indicate that gender is not the only influencing factor. The situations in which interaction occurs aiso appear to have an effect on the style of Interaction irrespective of the sex of the parent (context hypothesis).
Pathways to a child mental health service
Authors: Godfrey J M
Published: April 2006

The mothers of 46 children who had been assessed by staff from a child mental health service were Interviewed about the process by which they had come to be referred. The sequence of contacts with agencies was described and children coming via different pathways compared. Contacts with school teaching staff, and general practitioners were commonly part of the pathway, and health visitors were an important group of carers for younger children. When children had had contact with general practitioners and health visitors they were likely to be referred directly to the mental health service, but school staff had mostly sought help from other agencies.
Children's help‐seeking behaviour
Authors: Westcott H L , Davies G M
Published: April 2006

A study of children's help‐seeking behaviour with respect to bullying and parental arguing is reported. A number of specific hypotheses and open‐ended questions were investigated with boys and girls aged8‐17 years. Female helpers were preferred overall, thought a relationship existed between the child's and helper's gender. Parents, friends, and teachers were all chosen, and parent and peer helpers were seen as complementary rather than competitive sources of help. Reasons for choosing helpers were notably varied, but largely related to perceived qualities of the helper rather than the child's own needs. Children depicted helping as an active response on the part of the helper. These findings, are discussed and implications of practice noted.
Siblings off a child with autism, with mental retardation and with a normal development
Authors: Roeyers H , Mycke K
Published: April 2006

A total of 60 children between 8 and 15 years of age participated in this project, 20 of whom had a sibling with autism, 20 a sibling with mental retardation and 20a non‐disabled sibling. The children were questioned about their sibling relationship and their experiences of stress. The children with a sibling with autism also completed a questionnaire on their knowledge of the autistic syndrome. Analyses revealed that the three groups were basically similar in their ratings of the frequency of stressors involving their siblings. There was a trend for children with a disabled brother or sister to rate their relationship with the sibling more positively. Correlational analyses revealed an association between both stressor frequency and appraisal and the evaluation of the relationship with the brother or sister. Siblings of children with autism had a fair understanding of the autistic syndrome, in this group, there was also an association between the children's knowledge of the autistic disorder and the quality of the sibling relationship.
Subcutaneous midazolam, diamorphine and hyoscine infusion in palliative care of a child with neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Grimshaw D , Holroyd E , Anthony D , Hall D M B
Published: April 2006

We report on the use of a subcutaneous infusion of diamorphine, hyoscine and midazolam in the terminal care of a child with a neurodegenerative disease. The technique was safe and effective, and provided good symptom relief including control of previously intractable seizures.
The Education Act 1993: working with health services to implement the Code of Practice
Authors: McKinlay I
Published: April 2006

Summary
Wheras the 1981 Education Act led to emphasis on written statements of special educational needs for 2% of pupils, the 1993 Act seeks to recruit help for all children with such needs at earlier stages in the teaching process. Such help includes that available from the health services. The organization of health services has gone through considerable change since the 1993 Act was drafted so special efforts will be required to implement the intentions of the Act.
Early presentation in the mucopolysaccharide disorders
Authors: Colville G A , Bax M A
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe findings of an international questionnaire study of 258 children, affected by the four main subtypes of mucopolysaccharidosis, are presented. Questionnaires were completed by a parent or main carer and all subjects were alive at the time of contact and suffering from Hurler, Hunter, Sanfilippo or Morquio syndrome. A significant proportion of parents of Hurler children (24%) were unaware that anything was wrong with their baby before diagnosis but a larger number (45%) had felt concerned about their child's appearance. Similarly, in the case of the Morquio children, in 75% of cases, parents had been worried about some aspect of their child's physical appearance, in contrast, it was frequently delayed or regressing language which alerted parents of Sanfilippo (56%) and Hunter (32%) children, and this was associated with behaviour problems in 43% of Sanfilippo cases. There were many cases of delayed diagnosis, often occurring more than 2 years after concerns were first raised.
Has recognition of failure to thrive changed?
Authors: Batchelor J A
Published: April 2006

Summary
Studies of failure to thrive often work to different definitions, and replication studies are rarely undertaken. A recent study completed in southern England encompassed an area previously studied some 5 years earlier. Although recognition of failure to thrive was not the focus of this work, the data are used to draw some conclusions regarding changes in recognition. There has been an improvement in recognition of children whose weight falls below the 3rd centile. Previously one in three of these children passed unrecognized as such by health professionals. Recent work indicates that now only one in five children below the 3rd centile are not recognized by health professionals as a cause for concern. However, in extending a definition of failure to thrive to include children whose growth deviated from an established growth curve for 3 consecutive months, crossing major centile lines, it was found that one in two of these children were not picked up by health professionals. The case is made for improved recognition of failure to thrive, and the implications of current patterns of child health surveillance, including moves to parent‐held records are addressed.
A multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of children with failure to thrive
Authors: Hobbs C , Hanks H G I
Published: April 2006

Summary
Failure to thrive is a complex problem affecting long‐term health and development of the child. This paper describes a multidisciplinary approach to management and treatment of children and families where there is a child who is failing to thrive. The experience described in this paper is based on many years work of an interdisciplinary nature involving a Paediatrician, Psychologist and Dietician which lead to the creation of a special clinic for these children in 1993.
Stress in parents whose children are hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers: a comparison of three groups in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Lai A. C. , Salili F.
Published: April 2006

Summary
This study was conducted in Guangzhou, China. It compared the responses on stress scales of three groups of parents: (1) parents of children with HBV attending a special health kindergarten; (2) parents of children with HBV who stayed at home; and (3) parents of healthy children attending ordinary kidndergartens. Parents of HBV infected children reported greater problems due to stress. The stress was correlated with parents' general health in the three groups. The groups did not differ in reports of stress arising from life events other than the child's illness.
The foster carer experience in Ireland: findings from a postal survey
Authors: Gilligan R
Published: April 2006

Findings from a postal survey of foster carers in a region of Ireland are reported. While a majority of the respondents seem broadly contented in their role, it is clear that some are experiencing difficulties of different kinds. Problems experienced by different minorities of these foster carers included concerns with the level of administrative and professional support, worries about being parted from the child, and problems in the relationship with the child's biological parents. Responses on motivations to foster suggest a high level of altruistic motivation. The possible implication of these and other findings are discussed.
Children's auditory perception of movement of traffic sounds
Authors: Pfeffer K , Barnecutt P
Published: April 2006

This study examined children's auditory perception of traffic sounds, focusing on identification of vehicle movement. Children in three age groups (5 years, 8 years and 11 years) were presented with recorded sounds of a car approaching, passing and going away from the listener. The auditory perception of movement was identified as a problem area for children, particularly younger children. The number of correctly identified vehicle sounds was found to significantly increase with age. Age differences in some aspects of auditory perception of vehicle movement were more noted than others, identification of an approaching vehicle was the most difficult task for the 5‐year‐olds. The role of the attention‐demanding characteristics of some traffic sounds and their correct identification was discussed, approaching vehicles catching the attention much later in the stimulus array than passing or receding vehicles. The implications of the results for road safety training were discussed.
Specific eating and sleeping problems in Prader‐Willi and Williams‐Beuren syndrome
Authors: Sarimski K
Published: April 2006

Eating and sleeping problems have a high prevalence in mental retardation in general, but are also discussed as characteristic in some genetically determined disorders. A comparative analysis of eating and sleeping behaviours in 28 Prader‐Wilii and 32 Williams‐Beuren syndrome children by psychometric instruments confirms excessive food‐seeking behaviours in PWS and selective food refusal in WBS as specific problems. in both syndromes, however, there is considerable Individual variability in these symptoms.
The impact of asthma in an inner city general practice
Authors: Chadwick S
Published: April 2006

This study was undertaken to find out the problems which children with asthma experience at school and at home. Patient interviews with 32 asthmatic children aged between 6 and 16 years using a semi‐structured questionnaire were carried out in an inner city practice in Bristol. Twenty‐three (71.8%) children experienced exercise‐induced bronchospasm which particularly upset them at school. Eleven of 14 (78.5%) secondary schoolchildren said not being able to participate in sport was the worst thing about having asthma. Children seemed to accept that their inability to participate in sport was normal. Fourteen primary schoolchildren (77.7%) had restricted access to their inhalers. Primary schoolchildren were upset most by coughing or wheezing. Of 21 children who said smoke made their asthma worse, 18 lived in households where someone smoked. Children were more distressed by how their asthma affected‐them at school than at home. Thirty‐one (96.8%) of the children viewed their asthma negatively, although 26 (81.2%) felt they were in control of their asthma. School age children may have undiagnosed, exercise‐induced bronchospasm causing considerable physical and psychological morbidity and are therefore being inadequately treated. Children's negative views of their asthma may be missed by conventional questioning and asthma clinics should ensure that children are encouraged to reveal the issues that concern them. Children should have easy access to their medication at school. Locally agreed management of asthma in schools may improve morbidity from asthma.
Serum IgE levels in amoebiasis
Authors: GELLER M. , GELLER M. , FLAHERTY D. K. , BLACK PAULA , CAPANEMA‐SOUZA A. P.
Published: April 2006

Elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) are found in many parasitic diseases. In order to determine the influence of Entamoeba histolytica on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients with intestinal amoebiasis, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with amoebiasis and those from age‐, race‐ and sex‐matched normal Brazilian controls. Based also on our previous similar studies on giardiasis and Chagas’ disease, we conclude that protozoan infections do not elevate serum IgE levels.
Occupational asthma in Finland
Authors: KESKINEN HELENA , ALANKO KARI , SAARINEN LAURI
Published: April 2006

In Finland occupational asthma caused by protein allergens and reactive chemicals present in the air of work environments is increasing. This communication describes provocative challenge tests and methods for measuring exposure under simulated work conditions. The importance of lung function measurements during non‐exposure and placebo periods is stressed. Especially late reactions are difficult to assess because of the great circadian variation in the lung function parameters of asthmatics. For a positive challenge test, a decrease in peak flow values of at least 15% and a clear deviation from normal circadian variation and placebo periods is required. The allergens of vegetable or animal origin primarily affect patients with an atopic constitution. Chemical allergens seem to attack all exposed workers in the same way. The report lists the occupations with risk for asthma and refers to the population at risk; bakers seem to be the group with the most risk. The importance of early diagnosis, removal of the worker from exposure and improvement of the hygienic aspects of the work environment are stressed.
The diagnostic value of antibodies to the traditional antigens of farmer's lung in Finland
Authors: KATILA M.‐L. , MÄNTYJÄRVI R. A.
Published: April 2006

Precipitating antibodies towards antigens associated with farmer's lung disease were studied in Finnish dairy farming and non‐farming rural populations and the results were compared to those of serum samples of patients suspected of having a fungal allergy. The antigen panel consisted of Aspergillus fumigatus, Micropolyspora faeni and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. All three microbes seemed to be important environmental inducers of antibody formation. The prevalence of antibodies towards all of them was higher in the patient group. The presence of A. fumigatus and T. vulgaris antibodies correlated best with the occurrence of respiratory disease. The difference in M. faeni antibody prevalence between patients and the control group was less significant.

The results suggest that in Finland the relative importance of those microorganisms associated with farmer's lung disease may be different from that reported from other countries.
Aerobiological studies based in Derby
Authors: BROWN H. MORROW , JACKSON F. A.
Published: April 2006

In order to determine whether a sampling site in the centre of Derby, where air sampling had been carried out for five summers, really provided valid aerobiological data for the surrounding area, eight identical volumetric spore traps were operated simultaneously during the summer of 1969 at various sites up to 56 km from Derby, For most pollen and spore types, total numbers and seasonal pattern at all the sampling sites were found to be similar, although a few extreme and unexpected variations were noted. Figures varied somewhat in different types of site, and local effects are emphasized.
Partial characterization of allergens associated with hypersensitivity to the ‘green nimitti’ midge (Cladotanytarsus lewisi, Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: TEE ROSEMARY D. , CROMWELL O. , LONGBOTTOM JOAN L. , CRANSTON P. S. , KAY A. B.
Published: April 2006

Allergens in extracts of the ‘green nimitti’ midge, Cladotanytarsus lewisi Freeman (Diptera: Chironomidae), a cause of widespread hypersensitivity in the Sudan, were isolated and partially characterized by assays which depend on the binding of 125I‐anti‐IgE to allergen‐IgE complexes. These methods included RAST inhibition, crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE) and rocket radioimmunoelectrophoresis (RRIE). Following Sephadex G100 chromatography the ‘major peak’ of allergcnicity as determined by RAST inhibition. RRIE and SDS‐PAGE was associated with molecules of approximately 17 000 daltons. The peak eluting at Vo contained material of molecular weight 66000 daltons which also bound 125‐I‐anti‐IgE. but had only 61% of the activity of the ‘major peak’ by RAST inhibition. By isoelectric focusing and RRIE of fractions obtained by chromatofocusing with polybuffer exchanger 94, the ‘major peak’ was associated with multiple bands with a pI range of 3.5‐5.5. These results indicate that the major allergens from C. lewisi are a group of closely related acidic peptides.
Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria with terfenadine
Authors: CERIO R. , LESSOF M. H.
Published: April 2006

The usefulness of antihistamines is impaired by their sedative side effects. In a double blind crossover study of twenty‐four patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria, we have found terfenadine to be a non‐sedative and highly effective drug.
Toxic oil syndrome, clinical and immunological characteristics: a review
Authors: BLANCA M. , BOULTON P. , BROSTOFF J.
Published: April 2006

In May 1981 a new disease, with epidemic characteristics, appeared in Spain. Initially it was thought that an infectious agent was responsible for the disease, a theory that was later discarded when the disease was found to be associated with the ingestion of adulterated olive oil contaminated with potentially toxic chemicals. More than 20 000 people have been affected, and whilst official reports put the death toll at 250, the true figure may exceed 300. The disease is multi‐systemic in presentation, affecting several organs and systems of the body. The disease has a poor prognosis in its chronic stages, which affect approximately 10% of victims, and its ultimate natural history is still to be observed. The pathogenesis of the disease remains to be elucidated, despite considerable efforts already made in this direction.
Delivery of sodium cromoglycate by pressurized aerosol
Authors: LOZEWICZ S. , ROBERTSON C. F. , COSTELLO J. F. , PRICE J. F.
Published: April 2006

Sodium cromoglycate (SCG) has recently been formulated as a pressurized aerosol. Twenty‐five asthmatic outpatients taking SCG via the Spinhaler were studied in a double‐dummy, double‐blind cross‐over trial in which subjects took Spincaps containing 20 mg of SCG for 2 months, and for the alternate 2 months were treated with SCG aerosol delivering 1 mg/actuation.

There was no evidence of clinical deterioration occurring during the period on aerosol SCG. During this period however cough frequency was significantly lower and when data for the 8‐13 and 14‐46 year age groups were analysed separately, this decrease was seen to be confined to the younger group. Furthermore, this group but not the adults, showed a significant improvement in morning peak expiratory flow rate.

We conclude that the aerosol preparation of SCG is a useful alternative to delivery by Spinhaler for patients who are able to coordinate, and that it may have special advantages for children.
Barn allergy among Scottish farmers
Authors: CUTHBERT O. D. , JEFFREY I. G. , McNEILL HELEN B. , WOOD JEAN , TOPPING M. D.
Published: April 2006

Previous studies have shown that allergy to storage mites is a significant contributor to allergic disease among an isolated farming community in the Orkneys. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of disease due to storage mites among farmers on the mainland of Scotland. Of the 290 subjects employed on 102 randomly selected farms studied, eighty‐seven (30%) reported allergic symptoms on entering barns or byres, and prick tests to storage mites were positive in 62 (21%). Rhinitis and conjunctivitis together were the more frequently reported symptoms, with less than half the subjects recording respitatory symptoms. Specific IgE antibody to storage mites was detected in 43% of subjects reporting allergic symptoms associated with hay dust. Specific IgE to storage mites was strongly associated with atopy in those subjects who reported allergic symptoms.
ASTHMA IN DARLEY DALE: GP AUDIT
Authors: Martys Cedrick R
Published: April 2006

Asthma is a common illness in the United Kingdom and its incidence and severity has increased in recent years. In a paper published recently in the BMJ (1) I reported the results of a first audit cycle of asthma care in Darley Dale after starting an asthma clinic in the practice. I showed that, as a result of an audit exercise undertaken before the clinic was set up and after it had been in operation for one year, significant improvements in recording of data relevant to the management of patients with asthma was obtained – the term “asthma” entered in the patient's computerised summary record, smoking history and numbers of peak expiratory flow readings recorded. However, objective improvement in patients asthma – less requirement for oral steroids and salbutamol nebulisation – could not be demonstrated. There was an improvement in the ratio average:best peak flow rate in patients who had one or more measurements pre‐clinic and post‐clinic (81%→ 89%), but this difference was not statistically significant. A longer period of study will be required before major clinical improvement can be demonstrated.

As a result of undertaking this audit exercise there has been renewed emphasis on prophylaxis of asthma for patients attending the clinic, greater effort made to see all patients with asthma for clinical review at least once annually, and to facilitate these activities a second clinic has been started.