bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMMUNORADIOMETRIC ASSAY OF INHIBITORS OF ANTIHAEMOPHILIC FACTOR A
Authors: LJUNG ROLF , HOLMBERG LARS
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for determination of antibodies against f. VIII:C in haemophilia A was developed. The assay was based on competitive binding of radiolabelled anti‐VIII:C and antibodies in the test material to immobilized VIII:C. Fifteen haemophiliacs with known inhibitors were investigated with the new method and with a conventional neutralization test. In 3cases the inhibitors were detected only with the IRMA and in the other 12 there was good agreement between the inhibitor levels found with the two methods. It was also possible to demonstrate the antibodies in three non‐haemophilic patients with acquired inhibitors. The IRMA, which can detect the antibodies down to a concentration of 0.02 inhibitor units per ml, is more sensitive than conventional neutralization tests and is thus of practical importance in the investigation of patients with low inhibitor titres.
NEUROAXONAL DYSTROPHY IN CHILDHOOD Report of Two Second Cousins with Hallerworden‐Spatz Disease, and a Case of Seitelberger's Disease
Authors: MALMSTRÖM‐GROTH A. G. , KRISTENSSON K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Three late infantile cases of neuroaxonal dystrophy are presented, two of them second cousins with Hallerworden‐Spatz disease and one sporadic case with Seitelberger's disease. At about 1 1/2 years of age the patients with Hallerworden‐Spatz disease developed clinical signs including progressive extrapyramidal motor disorder and mental retardation. They died at 8 and 11 years. Iron deposits and axonal dystrophy were found in the pallidum. The changes are compared to those in a case of infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (Seitelberger's disease), the first to be reported in Scandinavia.
EARLY POSTNATAL GROWTH OF LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS: WHAT IS OPTIMAL?
Authors: STERN L.
Published: January 2008

Stern, L. (Department of Paediatrics, Brown University, R.I., USA). Early postnatal growth of low birthweight infants: what is optimal? Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 296: 6, 1982. — The question as to what is optimal depends on an examination of a number of questions which may be stated as follows: 1) Does physical growth as expressed by height and weight bear any relationship to functional or intellectual development? 2) Should postnatal growth of low birthweight (preterm) infants proceed at their presumed in utero growth rate? 3) Does caloric intake beyond a minimum level influence the growth rate and intellectual development of SGA infants? 4) What is optimal—or do we all need to be the same? These questions imply a projected benefit to nutritional techniques, amounts, and procedures. Against these must be balanced potential hazards which relate to a number of specific factors. These include the effort and expenditure of energies involved in feeding practices. The hazards inherent in gavage, intraluminal, and other forms of forced nutrition. Solute loading and the relationship of solute to free water content. The ommission of specific nutrients from any dietary regimen and the toxicity of other specific contents. A balanced approach combining all of these may best decide what is “optimal”.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS OF POSTNATAL GROWTH OF LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEVELOPING AND AFFLUENT COUNTRIES
Authors: HOFVANDER Y.
Published: January 2008

Hofvander Y. (International Child Health Unit, Department of Paediatrics, University of Uppsala, Sweden). International comparisons of postnatal growth of low birth‐weight infants with special reference to differences between developing and affluent countries. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 296:14, 1982. A large majority of low birthweight infants are born in developing countries where however, only few follow‐up studies have been made. However, there are clear indications that in general the AGA infants catch‐up better than the SGA of the same weight. A particularly poor catch‐up growth is shown by full‐term SGA indicating that if a fetal growth retardations is diagnosed, delivery should be induced prematurely. Social and environmental factors are important for the optimal growth postnatally and particularly so if the environmental conditions are adverse.
EFFECTS OF VARYING DEGREES OF HEAT TREATMENT ON MILK PROTEIN AND ITS NUTRITIONAL CONSEQUENSES
Authors: SCHMIDT E.
Published: January 2008

Schmidt, E. (Department of Paediatrics, University of Düsseldorf, GFR). Effects of varying degrees of heat treatment on milk protein and its nutritional consequences. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 296:41, 1982. — The loss of essential protein‐nutrients by heat treatment of formula products has largely been eliminated by modern techniques employed by the food industry. Heat treatment of human milk reduces the biological activity of protein‐like antimicrobial factors, but pasteurisation preserves most of the IgA‐activity. Little is known about possible nutritional effects on low birthweight infants of heat treatment of human milk. In one study no impairment in nitrogen absorption or retention was observed.
ENERGY REQUIREMENTS AND UTILIZATION OF THE LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANT
Authors: BROOKE O. G.
Published: January 2008

Brooke, O.G. (Department of Child Health, St. George's Hospital, London, U.K.). Energy requirements and utilization of the low birthweight infant. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 296:67, 1982.—Energy balance data have been obtained on 24 well grown immature (AGA) infants (mean BW 1554 g) and 16 small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) infants (mean BW 1210 g) using bomb calorimetry on milk and excreta over 7–10 days periods. Simultaneous measurements of energy expenditure were made, using a Kipp diaferometer. The main findings were: At any particular gestational age, digestible energy (the proportion of dietary energy absorbed) was similar in AGA and SGA infants. Energy digestibility improved with maturation in all infants. Retained (metabolisable) energy was also similar in AGA and SGA infants, and averaged 65 % of the intake at 30 weeks, 78% at 32 weeks, and 85% at 40 weeks post‐conceptional age. Weight gain was linearly correlated with metabolisable energy in AGA infants, an energy cost of 24 kJ/g (5.7 kcal). Maintenance energy requirement at zero weight gain in AGA infants was 270 kJ/kg/d (64 kcal/kg/d). Resting energy expenditure was significantly higher in SGA than in AGA infants, but postprandial metabolism was less. In spite of these differences, rates of weight gain were similar in the two groups of infants. Energy expended in activity was probably less than 20 % of the total energy turnover in both groups of infants. Energy balance was profoundly impaired by acidosis in all infants.
LINGUAL LIPASE Its role in lipid digestion in infants with low birthweight and/or pancreatic insufficiency
Authors: FREDRIKZON B. , HERNELL O. , BLÄCKBERG L.
Published: January 2008

Fredrikzon, B., Hernell, O. and Bläckberg, L. (Departments of Paediatrics and Physiological Chemistry, University of Umeå, Sweden). Lingual lipase. Its role in lipid digestion in infants with low birthweight and/or pancreatic insufficiency. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 296: 75, 1982.—At birth both pancreatic lipase and carboxylic ester hydrolase, two important lipolytic enzymes secreted by the pancreas, are present in duodenal contents but the activities of these enzymes are low. Another enzyme of possible importance in lipolysis is the lingual lipase which is secreted from serous glands present at the posterior part of the tongue. The enzyme is present already at birth and has been found in gastric contents from preterm infants in the 34th gestational week. The secretion of lingual lipase is stimulated by feeding and it is resistent against acid inactivation. The activity in gastric contents increases after feeding. This lipase hydrolyzes dietary triglycerides to mainly diglycerides and free fatty acids and may serve as a complement to the poorly developed pancreatic lipase activity. Furthermore, by the formation of polar lipolytic products the digestibility of dietary lipids in the duodenum may increase. Human milk lipase contributes to the lipolysis. It is inactive in the milk but becomes activated by the bile acids in the duodenum. Balance studies in preterm infants have shown that by pasteurization of human milk fat absorption decreases by one third.
DONOR BREAST MILK
Authors: BAUM J. D.
Published: January 2008

Baum, J. D. (University Department of Paediatrics, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, U.K.). Donor breast milk. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 299:51, 1982.—A simple system for the collection and storage of human milk, as a voluntary community activity, is described. The case is made for prefering drip breast milk as the main source of human milk for the milk bank. The central place of precise pasterurisation is emphasised as the essential feature for maintaining bacteriological quality control and simplicity of organisation. The suitability of donor breast milk for the nutrition of the low birthweight infant is discussed and evidence presented to indicate that low birthweight infants fed exclusively on donated human milk are of similar size to control term infants when assessed at 18 months corrected postnatal age. Emphasis is placed on the importance of controlled trials in relation to all innovations in feeding of low birthweight infants.
DO BREAST AND BOTTLE FED BABIES REQUIRE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS?
Authors: ORZALESI MARCELLO
Published: January 2008

Orzalesi, M. (Department of Child Healt and Neonatology, University of Sassari Medical School, Sassari, Italy). Do breast and bottle fed babies require vitamin supplements? Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 299: 77, 1982.—In the present stage of knowledge, the following approach to vitamin supplementation seems reasonable. Breast‐fed full‐term infants should be supplemented with vitamin D (400 I.U./day). Supplementation of bottle‐fed infants will depend upon the vitamin content of the formula which is being used. Pre‐term and LBW infants may need higher amounts of vitamin D (800‐1000 I.U./day) and should be supplemented with vitamin E (1‐2 I.U./day), C (SO mg/day), B6 (30‐60 mcg/day) and folic acid (50‐100 mcg/day) when they are being fed formulas with high amounts of PUFA and proteins or with iron. Multivitamin supplementation appears to be acceptable for infants of very low birth weight (< 1 500 g) until they reach a body weight of at least 2000 grams or a caloric intake of 300 kcal/day. Finally, the present routine of administering 0.5‐1.0 mg of vitamin K at birth to all infants should be continued.
I. FACTORS AFFECTING THE MOTHER'S CHOICE OF INFANT FEEDING METHOD
Authors: BLOOM K. , GOLDBLOOM R. B. , STEVENS F. E.
Published: January 2008

Bloom, K., Goldbloom, R. B., & Stevens, F. E. (Departments of Psychology, Pediatrics & Obstetrics, Dalhousie University, Grace Maternity Hospital, Halifax, Nova Scotia). Breast vs. formula feeding: I. mother's choice. Acta Paed Scand, Suppl. 300:3, 1982.—539 mothers of healthy newborn infants were surveyed to determine demographic and behavioral characteristics associated with the decision to feed by breast or formula. Compared with formula‐feeding mothers, breast feeders were older and of higher socioeconomic status. The two groups did not differ significantly with respect to parity, prior abortions, prepregnancy employment, obstetrical condition or behavior at first contact with infants. Infants in the two groups showed no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight or Apgar scores. Compared with formula‐feeding mothers, breast feeders showed significantly greater tendencies to use advice or literature in choosing breast feeding; they make their feeding choice before pregnancy, and do not consider an alternative feeding method. They more frequently attend pre‐natal classes, have a higher degree of coincidence between their choice (to breast feed) and preferences of their husbands and physicians. These differences were independent of age and of socioeconomic status. Breast feeders’mothers and female relatives were more likely to have breast fed their own infants, but these characteristics were not independent of socioeconomic status and age. These data help in understanding social and cultural aspects of the choice of method for infant feeding, and may be useful in designing programs to increase the prevalence of breast‐feeding.
PAEDIATRIC DEPARTMENT TG: A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR DENMARK AND FOR THE WORLD
Authors: WARWICK WARREN J.
Published: January 2008

Beginning early in the nineteen‐sixties the excellence of the work in pulmonary and cystic fibrosis research done at the Paediatrics Department TG attracted interest from around the world and cystic fibrosis (CF) researchers from everywhere began to visit Denmark to learn from Doctor Erhard Winge Flensborg. I joined that group of visitors in 1966 when I wrote to Doctor Flensborg for permission to visit his department. Like all the others, I was welcomed. The intellectual stimulation there surrounded by the sparkling hospitality of Erhard and Inga Flensborg and the doctors studying at Paediatric Department TG was so helpful that I have eagerly returned on many occasions over these past 16 years, as have others who have made a first visit to Paediatric Department TG. For each visitor a first visit was habit forming.
IMPROVEMENT AFTER TRAINING OF CHILDREN WITH EXERCISE‐INDUCED ASTHMA
Authors: SVENONIUS E. , KAUTTO R. , ARBORELIUS M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Fifty children with exercise‐induced asthma (EIA) volunteered to take part in a study of the influence of training on EIA. 1) Ten children did not change physical activity. 2) Twelve children trained after premedication with salbutamol inhalations. 3) Thirteen children trained after premedication with disodium chromoglicate (DSCG) and used that drug for treatment. 4) Fifteen children trained in their own regimen, commonly after premedication with salbutamol. Their training programme (groups 2‐3) consisted of high load exercise periods of two minutes interrupted by intervals of rest for two minutes during 30 minutes followed by interval swimming for another 30 minutes, twice a week for 3‐4 months. Before the training period the degree of EIA was tested with a battery of lung function tests before and after running for 6 minutes on a treadmill at heart rate 170. EIA after training was measured applying the same procedure. Cardiocirculatory performance was evaluated before and after training with work on a cycle ergometer and expressed as W/kg body weight at heart rate 170. The children in groups 2, 3 and 4 improved their physical working capacity by 11% (p<0.01), 21% and 11%, respectively, but no improvement was found in group 1. Significant improvements in EIA after the training periods were found in all training groups, but basal asthma improved most in group 3, probably due to the basal treatment with DSCG.
COMPARISON OF THE URABE AM 9‐SCHWARZ AND JERYL LYNN‐MORATEN COMBINATIONS OF MUMPS‐MEASLES VACCINES IN YOUNG CHILDREN
Authors: VESIKARI T. , ANDRÉ F. E. , SIMOEN E. , FLORENT G. , ALA‐LAURILA E.‐L. , HEIKKINEN A. , KUUSINEN H. , TERHO A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Two mumps‐measles vaccine combinations were evaluated for their reactogenicity and immunogenicity in children aged 14 to 20 months. The Urabe Am 9‐Schwarz combination vaccine was given to 108 double seronegative children. The seroconversion rate at six weeks after vaccination was 99.1% for measles (haemagglutination‐inhibition test) and 92.6% for mumps (neutralization and haemolysis‐in‐gel tests). The Jeryl Lynn‐Moraten vaccine was administered to 85 double seronegative children; the seroconversion rates were 95.3% for measles and 83.5% for mumps. The reported post‐vaccination signs and symptoms resembled those seen after monovalent measles vaccine but were more accentuated. Fever over 37.5C° was reported in 66.7% and unusual restlessness and irritability in 68.5% of the Urabe Am 9‐Schwarz double seronegative vaccinees compared to 55.3% (p<0.05) and 54.1 % (p<0.05), respectively, in the recipients of the Jeryl Lynn‐Moraten vaccine. These relatively high reaction rates probably reflect the close observation of the children by their parents during the study. Nevertheless, the tendency towards increased reaction rate and, possibly, reduced immunogenicity of bivalent mumps‐measles vaccines as compared to the corresponding single vaccines should be taken into account in the planning of large scale vaccination of young children.
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION IN YOUNG HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN
Authors: ERIKSSON M. , FORSGREN M. , SJÖBERG S. , von SYDOW M. , WOLONTIS S.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Detection of RSV by immunofluorescence was used for rapid confirmation of the diagnosis in 89 infants during an epidemic. This made it possible to plan the care of the patients and use the personnel in an optimal way in order to maintain nosocomial infection at a low level. Somatic and environmental risk factors connected with serious disease were also identified. The course of the disease was more severe in children with chronic illnesses or those who had had perinatal complications. Allergy was more frequently reported by these families. Breast feeding for at least two months was practised in most families.
THE EFFECTS OF COLESTIPOL HYDROCHLORIDE ON SERUM LIPOPROTEIN LIPID AND APOLIPOPROTEIN B AND A‐I CONCENTRATIONS IN CHILDREN HETEROZYGOUS FOR FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA
Authors: GROOT P. H. E. , DIJKHUIS‐STOFFELSMA R. , GROSE W. F. A. , AMBAGTSHEER J. J. , FERNANDES J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Colestipol hydrochloride was administered to 28 children with familial hypercholesterolemia type II‐A, and its effects on serum lipoproteins were tested against a placebo in a cross‐over design. All children consumed a diet low in cholesterol and high in linoleic acid. Colestipol therapy resulted in a 15.7% decrease in serum very low plus low density lipoproteins and in a 13.5% decrease in serum apolipoprotein B. High density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum apolipoprotein A‐I and serum triglycerides remained unaltered.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN SERUM‐25‐OH‐D3 IN MOTHERS AND NEWBORN INFANTS IN NORTHERN FINLAND
Authors: KOKKONEN J. , KOIVISTO M. , KIRKINEN P.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Two groups, each consisting of twenty Finnish mother‐neonate pairs and ten non‐pregnant controls were studied for serum calcium, serum phosphate, serum alkaline phosphatase, parathormone index (PTHind) and S‐25‐OH‐D3. The first series was collected in winter and the other in summer. The serum samples were taken on the third day after delivery. The concentrations of S‐25‐OH‐D3 were significantly lower in the mothers than in the non‐pregnant controls in winter, but the difference was not significant in summer. The concentrations of S‐25‐OH‐D3 in the serum of the mothers were similarly significantly lower in winter than in summer, ten mothers exhibiting a value below the detection line in winter, but only two in summer. The concentrations of S‐25‐OH‐D3 in the mothers and their newborn infants showed a close relationship, but when extremely low values existed in the mothers, the infant concentrations were slightly higher. The seasonal variation in S‐25‐OH‐D3 was also significant in the neonates. Although calcium was decreased and alkaline phosphatase elevated when compared with the non‐pregnant controls in the mothers in both groups, these values showed no seasonal variation, and the mean levels of serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase and PTHind in the neonates also remained unaltered between the two groups. The results indicate that additional vitamin D should be supplied during pregnancy in the winter months at this latitude.
EFFECT OF PORCINE CALCITONIN THERAPY ON VITAMIN D METABOLISM AND CLINICAL RESPONSE IN A PATIENT WITH OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA
Authors: NISHI Y. , HYODO S. , ISHIDA M. , YAMAOKA K. , SEINO Y. , USUI T.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A 1 11/12‐year‐old girl with osteogenesis imperfecta was treated with porcine calcitonin. Eight bone fractures occurred in the previous 20 months before therapy, but none occurred during eight months of therapy. There was also a significant improvement in linear growth and radiographic bone density. This is the first study of the effect of calcitonin on vitamin D metabolism in a human. The high plasma levels of 1,25 dihydroxy‐vitamin D (1,25‐(OH)2‐D) and 24,25 dihydroxy‐vitamin D (24,25‐(OH)2‐D) before calcitonin therapy decreased after therapy. Plasma 25 hydroxy‐vitamin D (25‐OH‐D) concentration, which normal in level before calcitonin therapy, was normal or slightly decreased during administration. It is concluded that calcitonin probably influences vitamin D metabolism in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta.
CAUSES OF NEONATAL DEATHS IN A PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL NEONATAL UNIT
Authors: AUTIO‐HARMAINEN H. , RAPOLA J. , HOPPU K. , ÖSTERLUND K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A study is presented of 1020 consecutive autopsies on newborn infants who died during the first 28 days of life at the Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, during 1969–1978. The infants were grouped into four categories according to their weight at birth and into early (0–7 days) and late (8–28 days) neonatal groups according to their age at death. 77.5 % of the cases fell into the early neonatal group. The most common causes of death were hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and cerebral haemorrhage (CH), which together accounted for 41.9% of all the deaths. Congenital anomaly was the second most common group of causes, comprising 35.3 % of the cases. A gradual fall in the total number of deaths was conspicuous during the ten‐year period. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of deaths from HMD and CH in the weight categories 1001–1500 g and 1501–2500 g. The fall is considered to reflect improvement in both obstetrics and neonatal medicine.
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN DIABETIC CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Authors: KÄÄR M.‐L. , SAUKKONEN A.‐L. , PITKÄNEN M. , ÅKERBLOM H. K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. In order to establish the general prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in diabetic children and adolescents, median motor and sensory conduction velocities and the peroneal motor conduction velocity were registered in 161 unselected diabetic children and adolescents and 55 healthy controls. The influence of the duration and the balance of diabetes on the results was analysed in the diabetic group. In the controls the age correlated positively with the median motor and sensory conduction velocity, but not with peroneal motor conduction velocity. In diabetic children, the greatest impairment was found in the peroneal motor conduction velocity, 49 patients (30 %) had a value lower than ‐2SD below the mean normal value. There was a correlation between the balance of diabetes based on HbA1 and glucosuria, and median and peroneal motor conduction velocities. The median motor conduction velocity was independent of the duration of diabetes, but a correlation was found between the duration of diabetes and peroneal motor conduction velocity impairment. Motor conduction velocity determination of the peroneal nerve can be used both in revealing and following the abnormality in peripheral nervous function in diabetic children. Regular follow‐up of nervous function test results may help in assessing the importance of good metabolic control in preventing diabetic complications.
STROKE IN CHILDREN. CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROGNOSIS
Authors: EEG‐OLOFSSON O. , RINGHEIM Y.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Cerebrovascular disease with acute hemiplegia or “stroke” in childhood is not rare and every possible effort must be made in order to improve the outcome for these patients. Acute hemiplegia and disturbance of consciousness are the most common initial signs. Twenty‐seven children, 13 girls and 14 boys, with stroke have been investigated during a ten‐year period. Hemorrhagic stroke was diagnosed in 14 cases, and ischemic stroke in 11 cases. In addition two cases with migraine accompagnée have been included. Neurocardiological examination was performed in all children, and neurosurgery in 11 cases with hemorrhagic stroke. In the ischemic stroke group, 55% presented a history of preceding infection. Over 90% of the children showed unilateral neurological signs in connection with ischemic stroke compared to 50% in hemorrhagic stroke, while the reverse frequency was observed as regards disturbances of consciousness. The mortality was 36% in hemorrhagic stroke and 18% in ischemic stroke. Among the children who survived, residual disabilities amounted to 75%. None has suffered a second stroke. The average annual incidence in childhood of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke is 2.1/100000/year. Some clinical characteristics and rules in the emergency approach to the hemiplegic child have been offered. The development of brain edema and the risk associated with lumbar puncture is emphasized. A child with stroke must without delay be transported to a hospital with access to neurosurgical expertise and neuroradiological facilities such at CAT scan and angiography.
ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM THE CIRCADIAN FLUCTUATIONS OF CARBAMAZEPINE PLASMA LEVELS
Authors: BLENNOW G.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. In children on carbamazepine therapy who were complaining of tiredness it was proposed that the considerable plasma drug level variation over the day could explain this side effect. In spite of a “normal” fasting level the plasma drug level 2–4 hours after drug intake was well above the upper recommended therapeutic level. It is recommended that the time of sampling should be taken into account in carbamazepine drug monitoring.
DEFICIENCY OF NEUTROPHIL PHAGOCYTOSIS IN PREMATURE INFANTS: EFFECT OF VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENTATION
Authors: CHIRICO G. , MARCONI M. , COLOMBO A. , CHIARA A. , RONDINI G. , UGAZIO A. G.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. In 20 healthy premature infants, 10 of whom were administered a total dose of 120 mg/kg vitamin E intramuscularly during the first 13 days after birth, polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) bactericidal activity, frequency and index of phagocytosis, NBT reduction, random movement, chemotaxis and metabolic activity were evaluated within the first 48 hours and again at 5, 14 and 30 days of age. PMN function was also assessed in 30 adult controls. In the treated and untreated infants no differences were found in PMN function before treatment with vitamin E; however phagocytosis, bactericidal activity and chemotaxis were significantly lower than in the adult controls. At 5 days of age, in the untreated infants both index and frequency of phagocytosis remained low but in the treated groups increased significantly. At 14 and 30 days phagocytosis was normal in both treated and untreated infants. No differences were found in the bactericidal activity, NBT reduction, random movement, chemotaxis or metabolic activity of the treated and untreated infants at the ages studied. This preliminary report suggests that vitamin E may be used in premature newborns for accelerating normalization of phagocytic function in the neonatal period.
EFFECTS OF AN ANTENATAL LOAD OF PYRIDOXINE (VITAMIN B6) ON THE BLOOD OXYGEN AFFINITY AND PROLACTIN LEVELS IN NEWBORN INFANTS AND THEIR MOTHERS
Authors: TEMESVÁRI P. , SZILÁGYI I. , ECK E. , BODA D.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The effects of a loading dose of pyridoxine (100 mg) given intramuscularly or per os to 24 earlier non‐supplemented pregnant women at term was investigated. The in vitro oxygen affinity (P50) and the prolactin level in both maternal and newborn blood was sampled. The blood P50 values were measured by a variant of “mixing method”. Blood prolactin levels were determined by RIA. After pyridoxine administration, the maternal P50 values increased moderately and the newborns' cord blood P50 values increased significantly when compared with the control group's (number of cases 12) values. The decrease of blood oxygen affinity was most pronounced in the supplemented groups in newborns' capillary blood at the age of five days. The pyridoxine supplementation had no effect on the maternal and the newborns' cord blood prolactin level or on the daily amount of breast milk. Pyridoxine supplementation of the mother at labour may influence favourably the oxygen transport function of the newborn's blood and it may be especially advantageous in early postnatal adaptation disturbances of newborns.
POSTSPLENECTOMY INFECTIONS IN DANISH CHILDREN SPLENECTOMIZED 1969–1978
Authors: PEDERSEN F. KARUP
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. During the 10‐year period 1969–1978 456 splenectomies in children 0–15 years old were registered in Denmark. The underlying disease in 56% was traumatic splenic rupture, in 20% hereditary spherocytosis, in 13% idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and in 11% various other diseases. Three hundred and eighty‐four (84%) could be followed retrospectively for a mean period of 6.2 years after splenectomy. Twenty‐one (5.5%) contracted bacteraemia or meningitis, in 15 (71%) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 6 (1.6%) died from the infection. The frequency of postsplenectomy infection (PSI) was lower in children with splenic rupture (2.5%) than in those with hereditary spherocytosis (4.9%), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (11.5%) and Hodgkin's disease (13.8%). Sixteen percent of children splenectomized before the age of 4 years versus 4% above that age developed PSI. Ninety‐five percent of the PSI cases occurred less than 6 years after splenectomy. The incidence of severe pneumococcal bacteraemia and pneumococcal meningitis in the splenectomized was 284 times that of non‐splenectomized children.
TRI‐IODOTHYRONINE AND THYROXINE IN HUMAN MILK
Authors: JANSSON L. , IVARSSON S. , LARSSON I. , EKMAN R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The concentration of tri‐iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in human milk was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The analysis of T3 was performed on unextracted milk and on ethanol extracts of defatted milk. Analysis of unextracted milk was complicated by artifacts. Reliable and reproducible results were achieved only with the milk extracts. In 10 colostral milk samples the mean T3 levels ± SD were 0.80 ± 0.52 nmol/l before feeding (early milk) and 0.93 ± 0.62 after feeding (hind milk). The T3 concentration in colostrum did not change significantly during the feeding to the infant. In 12 mature milk samples collected between infant feedings, the mean T3± SD was 1.19 ± 0.42 nmol/l. T4 was not detected in any of the samples analysed (detection limit 3 nmol/l).
CYSTIC FIBROSIS MIMICKING BARTTER'S SYNDROME
Authors: DAVISON A. G. , SNODGRASS G. J. A. I.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A four‐month‐old female presented with dehydration and an unexplained hypoelectrolytaemia and metabolic alkalosis in association with hyperreninaemia and hyperaldosteronism. These findings suggested Bartter's syndrome. Sweat sodium concentrations were within normal limits. Total skin water loss was estimated and found to be sufficient for the sodium loss in the sweat to exceed the dietary intake. Reinvestigation at three years revealed normal plasma electrolytes, plasma renin activity and aldosterone values but sweat sodium concentrations were in excess of 80 mmol/I, indicating a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN E ON ERYTHROCYTE HEMOLYSIS AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN NEWBORN PREMATURE INFANTS
Authors: CRUZ CARINA S. D. , WIMBERLEY P. D. , JOHANSEN K. , FRIIS‐HANSEN B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The biochemical effect of vitamin E supplementation to mothers with threatened premature delivery and to premature infants after birth has been studied. Although a weak correlation was found between maternal and cord blood vitamin E levels at birth, cord blood levels were not significantly higher in the infants from supplemented mothers than those from unsupplemented mothers. Furthermore, maternal vitamin E treatment did not prevent either erythrocyte hemolysis or lipid peroxide formation in the premature infants after birth. On the other hand, intramuscular vitamin E to infants after birth produced a marked biochemical effect, with both zero erythrocyte hemolysis and low lipid peroxide formation when serum vitamin E increased above 2 mg/100 ml. We conclude that intramuscular vitamin E immediately after birth is necessary to achieve a biochemical effect of vitamin E in the early neonatal period. (No cases of retrolental fibroplasia occurred in the present study.)
INHERITED ISOLATED HYPERPHOSPHATASEMIA
Authors: KRUSE K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. An 11‐year‐old girl presented with permanent elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) exceeding 4 times the upper normal limit. Family investigations revealed a persistent increment of AP activity in the father and one of the two sisters, indicating a dominant form of inheritance. Physical examination and laboratory results were normal; isoenzyme studies revealed that the raised serum AP activity was mainly due to an increase of the bone isoenzyme. No disturbance of calcium or phosphate metabolism or morphological alterations of the skeleton could be demonstrated. This indicates an inherited abnormality in the metabolism of bone AP in the absence of disease.
THE UTILITY OF CROSS‐SECTIONAL MEASUREMENTS OF WEIGHT AND LENGTH FOR AGE IN SCREENING FOR GROWTH FAILURE (CHRONIC MALNUTRITION) AND CLINICALLY SEVERE PROTEIN‐ENERGY MALNUTRITION
Authors: SCHOLL T. O. , JOHNSTON F. E. , CRAVIOTO J. , DeLICARDIE E. R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The accuracy of identifying children with growth failure and/or clinically severe protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) from a single measure of length or weight for age from birth to 36 months was determined. Growth data were treated cross‐sectionally and compared with National Center for Health Statistics growth standards in order to determine the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of a single cross‐sectional measure of weight‐for‐age or length‐for‐age in identifying children diagnosed via longitudinal records. Under 6 months of age, neither weight nor length for age was an adequate predictor of growth failure or clinical malnutrition; from 12 to 36 months, screening measures based on anthropometry were much improved. It was concluded that a single measure of weight or length for age taken close to the first birthday could identify up to 78% of the future second and third year cases of clinically severe PEM. Implications and limitations are discussed.
DICARBOXYLIC ACIDURIA DUE TO MEDIUM CHAIN ACYL CoA DEHYDROGENASE DEFECT
Authors: DIVRY P. , DAVID M. , GREGERSEN N. , KØLVRAA S. , CHRISTENSEN E. , COLLET J. P. , DELLAMONICA C. , COTTE J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Dicarboxylic aciduria was found during hypoglycemic episode in a 14 months old girl. Her brother had died at the age of 4 years during febrile illness. A ketogenic diet induced in this patient a severe hypoglycemia. Urinary organic acid profile exhibited abnormal excretion of the C6‐C10 dicarboxylic acids (adipic‐suberic‐sebacic) and related metabolites (5 hydroxyhexanoic, hexanoylglycine, suberyl glycine). This pattern suggested a defect in fatty acids beta oxidation. Plasma carnitine values was within control limits. Similar clinical findings and urinary organic acids excretion have been described in 6 patients since the initial case of Gregersen. Enzymatic studies on cultivated fibroblasts from our patient showed a defect in medium chain CoA dehydrogenase. The treatment of this disease consists of glucose infusion during attacks and prevention of fasting. This rare disease must be considered in a child with non ketotic hypoglycemia or Reye's syndrome.
WATER DISTRIBUTION IN THE FOETUS AND NEWBORN INFANT
Authors: FRIIS‐HANSEN B.
Published: January 2008

Friis‐Hansen, B. (Department of Neonatology, University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark). Water distribution in the foetus and newborn infant. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 305: 7–11, 1983.—A short survey is given over changes in water metabolism from early foetal life to infancy. The close connection between water metabolism and body composition is described as well as the changes taking place after birth. The impact of intrauterine malnutrition, delivery and postnatal nutrition is discussed.
WATER EVAPORATION AND HEAT EXCHANGE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT IN NEWBORN INFANTS
Authors: HAMMARLUND K. , SEDIN G.
Published: January 2008

Hammarlund, K. and Sedin, G. (Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden). Water evaporation and heat exchange with the environment in newborn infants. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 305: 32–35, 1983.—The amount of water evaporated from the skin of newborn infants and the temperatures of the skin, the ambient air and the surfaces facing the infants were measured and used to calculate the evaporative, radiative and convective heat exchange between the infant and the environment in infants of varying gestational ages. Immediately after birth the evaporative heat exchange was very high but it then decreased gradually. The radiative heat exchange was very high in the delivery room but lower in the incubators. In incubators the evaporative heat exchange was high in the most pre‐term infants, especially when nursed at a low ambient humidity. Different modes of heat exchange were interrelated, so that when the pre‐term infants had a high evaporation rate, a high ambient temperature was needed and the heat exchange through radiation and convection decreased. Net heat exchange was lowest in very pre‐term infants at an ambient humidity of 60%.
EDEMA FORMATION IN THE LUNGS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO NEONATAL RESPIRATORY DISTRESS
Authors: BLAND R. D.
Published: January 2008

Bland, R. D. (Cardiovascular Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Ca, USA). Edema formation in the lungs and its relationship to neonatal respiratory distress. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 305: 92–99, 1983.—Pulmonary edema is an important feature of many newborn lung diseases, including respiratory distress from severe perinatal asphyxia, heart failure, hyaline membrane disease, pneumonitis from group B β–hemolytic streptococcus, and chronic lung disease (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Neonatal pulmonary edema often results from increased filtration pressure in the microcirculation of the lungs. This occurs during sustained hypoxia, in left ventricular failure associated with congenital heart disease or myocardial dysfunction, following excessive intravascular infusions of blood, colloid, fat, or electrolyte solution, and in conditions that increase pulmonary blood flow. Low intravascular protein osmotic pressure from hypoproteinemia may predispose infants to pulmonary edema. Hypoproteinemia is common in infants who are born prematurely. Large intravascular infusions of protein‐free fluid further decrease the concentration of protein in plasma and thereby facilitate edema formation. Lymphatic obstruction by air (pulmonary interstitial emphysema) or fibrosis (long‐standing lung disease) also may contribute to the development of edema. Bacteremia, endotoxemia. and prolonged oxygen breathing injure the pulmonary microvascular endothelium and cause proteinrich fluid to accumulate in the lungs. The risk of neonatal pulmonary edema can be reduced by several therapeutic measures designed to lessen filtration pressure, increase plasma protein osmotic pressure, and prevent or reduce the severity of lung injury.
Dieting in Teenage Schoolgirls A Longitudinal Prospective Study
Authors: SCHLEIMER K.
Published: January 2008

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate what far‐reaching consequences dieting may produce in teenage girls and to determine whether there is a direct relation between dieting and the development of anorexia nervosa. The study took the form of a longitudinal prospective investigation of dieting teenage schoolgirls over a 10‐year observation period, particularly as regards physical and mental state of health and general psychosocial development.

The questionnaire study underlying the present work—entitled “The feeling of being fat and dieting in a school population”—was published in 1971 by Ingvar Nylander. With the aim of determining how often teenagers feel overweight, how often they diet and how often they develop disorders from dieting, Nylander interviewed 2370 students (1129 boys and 1241 girls). His study was published in Acta Socio‐Medica Scand 1971, 1.

In the present work a primary material of 130 girls was selected from the dieting schoolgirls and 111 of these were examined by the author. The methods included a personal interview, examination of physical and mental health, an EEG examination and an intelligence test. Moreover, information was obtained concerning the subjects from their parents and from school health records and hospital case records. A follow‐up study was done 10 years later, in which 97 of the subjects were again examined by the author while 12 subjects merely answered a questionnaire. The methods used were very similar to the foregoing ones. The subjects’dieting behaviour was evaluated on the basis of an anorectic behaviour scale. Further information was obtained from hospital case records.

The overall situation of the subjects was evaluated on the basis of case histories and of data from case records concerning heredity, environment, psychosocial adjustment, state of health and findings on examination.

Some of the subjects had had a dieting problem for a long time; they had generally dieted for short but repeated periods, but, in most cases, with little effect on their weight. Some patients had developed anorectic behaviour, or even AN, others did not. The former group had shown such behaviour at an early stage—or other signs of mental insufficiency—while the latter group was healthy and during dieting periods developed neither anorectic behaviour nor anorexia nervosa.

Thus no direct causal relation between dieting and anorexia nervosa could be demonstrated. If dieting is caused by mental insufficiency, this may lead to the development of anorectic behaviour and/or anorexia nervosa. However, it appears that dieting in a physically and mentally healthy teenage girl can hardly have such effects.

A prevalence evaluation of anorexia nervosa in this material showed higher values than those in previous studies.
Factors Influencing the Feeding of First‐Born Infants
Authors: HALLY MARGARET R. , BOND JOHN , CRAWLEY JOYCE , GREGSON BARBARA , PHILIPS PETER , RUSSELL IAN
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Influences on the choice and use of an infant feeding method by primigravidae were studied from late pregnancy until six months after delivery. Data were collected by home interviews and postal questionnaires, and from hospital case‐notes. Three‐quarters of the women had chosen a method before their first hospital visit and most adhered to their choice. Mothers named midwives and health visitors more often than other health professionals as appropriate for discussions about feeding. However, there was little evidence of the influence of health professionals apart from an association between hospital feeding practices and duration of breast feeding. The major influences on mothers were socio‐cultural. Findings suggest that breast feeding can be encouraged by a wide dissemination of information, by enabling mothers to discuss feeding with their preferred professional, by respecting an early choice of method, and by encouraging demand feeding which should begin soon after delivery.
Childhood Migraine—A Dangerous Diagnosis?
Authors: TAL Y. , DUNN H. G. , CHRICHTON J. U.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The diagnosis of childhood migraine cannot be confirmed in any objective way. The danger of missing brain tumours or cerebral vascular malformations in these patients was examined in two groups. 73 children who were diagnosed as childhood migraine were followed for 5.4 years. No brain tumour or vascular malformation was found, but two children diagnosed as “abdominal migraine” had a different important disease. The charts of 83 children with brain tumours and seven children with vascular malformations were examined. Only three children could be confused with migraine, and only one actually was.
Clostridium Difficile in Young Children
Authors: VESIKARI T. , ISOLAURI ERIKA , MAKI M. , GRÖNROOS P.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Clostridium difficile was isolated from the stools of 11/52 (21 %) of children aged 0 to 2 years hospitalized with diarrhoea, and from 17/52 (33 %) of a control group of hospitalized children with no diarrhoea; this difference was not significant. Direct demonstration of C. difficile toxin from the stools was positive in 1 case with diarrhoea and in 5 control cases. The children with positive stool culture for C. difficile had had significantly more treatments with antibiotics or chemotherapeutics than those with negative C. difficile culture (3.3 ± 2.7 vs. 1.6 ± 1.8, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of diarrhoea in the past. During a 4–6‐month follow‐up, C. difficile disappeared from the stools of 24 out of 28 initially culture‐positive children; 3 of the 4 children with persistent C. difficile had received antibiotics during the follow‐up period. We conclude that the presence of C. difficile is common in the stools of young children up to the age of 2 years, and that C. difficile is more frequently found in children who have received antimicrobial therapy. Most cases of C. difficile carriage state are symptomless at this age.
Enzymes of Leukocyte Oxidative Metabolism in Down's Syndrome
Authors: BJÖRKSTÉN BENGT , MARKLUND STEFAN , HÄGGLÖF BRUNO
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Enzymes of importance for oxygen dependent leukocyte killing of microorganisms were studied in 14 patients with Down's Syndrome (DS) and 10 controls. As has been reported previously for other cell types, the level of CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) was 50 % higher in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from DS patients than from the controls. The amount of SOD was extremely low in the PMNs from controls, i.e. only about 6 % of the levels in other human tissues. The levels of catalase and of the Mn dependent SOD were normal. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of DS PMNs was only 59 % of that of the control cells. Previously reported increased levels of CuZnSOD and GSH peroxidase in erythrocytes and CuZnSOD in lymphocytes were confirmed. The increased levels of SOD in DS phagocytes provide a possible partial explanation for previous reports of defective killing of S. aureus in DS. In addition, the MPO deficiency impairs the H202‐halide‐MPO system, which is of particular importance for fungal killing, e.g. of C. albicans, which has also been reported to be deficient in DS. The findings may thus explain some of the mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility to certain infections in DS.
Incidence of Anterior Pituitary Deficiency after Radiotherapy at an Early Age: Study in Retinoblastoma
Authors: POMAREDE R. , CZERNICHOW P. , ZUCKER J. M. , SCHLIENGER P. , HAYE C. , ROSENWALD J. C. , LABIB A. , RAPPAPORT R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Thirty‐one patients treated for retinoblastoma in the first few years (3 months to 3 years and 6 months) of life were studied 2 to 15 years later. Radiotherapy delivered 1300 to 6 500 rads to the hypothalamo‐pituitary area. Growth deficiency was documented in 30 % of all cases. Other pituitary deficiencies were the exception. The critical dose for GH insufficiency is between 2000 and 3000 rads, as in older children or adults. Our study does not support the hypothesis that the hypothalamo‐pituitary area is more sensitive to radiation at an early age. Furthermore, conservative therapy of retinoblastoma leads to double lateral irradiation and will increase the number of GH deficient children after retinoblastoma.