bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red Cell Phosphate Metabolism in Preterm Infants with Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: TSIRKA A. , CHALLA A. , LAPATSANIS P. D.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Phosphate metabolism was studied in twenty‐one preterm infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome during and after oxygen (O2) therapy using a hood. Plasma, red cell inorganic phosphate (Pi) and the red cell concentrations of organic phosphate metabolites ATP and 2, 3‐diphosphoglycerate were significantly lower in the sick infants when compared to controls of similar age and birthweight, and remained low even 24 h after cessation of therapy. Plasma cortisol levels were elevated at the onset of the disease and decreased to almost control levels by the end of O2 therapy while the values of plasma calcitonin did not show any difference from controls. Plasma creatinine phosphokinase and blood lactic acid levels followed the pattern of the control group with a small increase at the beginning of the study and decreasing thereafter. Several factors may be implicated in the cause of hypophosphatemia in these infants such as inadequate feeding, acidosis and hypercortisolaemia due to stress leading to phosphaturia.
Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Experiences from the Finnish Multicentre Study Regarding the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: VIIKARI J. , ÅKERBLOM H. K. , RÄSÄNEN L. , KALAVAINEN M. , PIETARINEN O.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A large multicentre study of coronary heart disease risk factors and their determinants in children and adolescents was planned in the late 1970s. The main cross‐sectional study with 3596 subjects was made in 1980, and two follow‐up studies have been carried out, in 1983 and 1986, respectively. In addition, a study with 630 newborns was carried out in 1981, and a series of children aged 1 to 36 months was collected in 1981‐1982. Cord blood, serum cholesterol was about 1.5 mmol/l, which is no different from the level found in other studies. The diet of mothers had no effect on the cholesterol values of the newborns. The cholesterol level of infants and small children was correlated with the amount and quality of fat eaten. The dietary habits of the family were correlated with the family's standard of education, which calls for intervention measures already in early childhood. Serum cholesterol levels have decreased in Finnish children during the 1980s by about 1 % per year, which should be reflected in coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality in the future.
Growth and Development of Children with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: SCHÄRER K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Preliminary results from an ongoing multicentre study on pubertal growth and sexual maturation in chronic renal failure are presented. Puberty was delayed by approximately 2.5 years in both sexes in children with chronic renal failure. There was also an irreversible decline in height SDS during puberty. The pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were disrupted in patients on conservative treatment or dialysis compared with those in patients with renal transplants; the mean nocturnal GH level and the mean GH peak amplitude were increased, while the number of pulses and peak amplitude of LH were decreased. The biopotency of LH, expressed as the ratio of bioactive to immunoreactive LH, was suppressed in patients with renal transplants.
Nutritional Status, Growth and Development in Children Undergoing Intensive Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: GASKIN K.J. , WATERS D.L. , BAUR L.A. , SOUTTER V.L. , GRUCA M.A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Dietary intakes were measured over a period of 5 days in 36 malnourished and 36 well‐nourished patients with cystic fibrosis. Both energy and protein intakes were significantly less in the malnourished patients for the two age groups studied: 4‐9.99 years (p < 0.01 for both parameters), and 10‐16 years (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). In both age groups and both patient groups, average protein intakes were well in excess of the recommended daily intake, but energy intake in the malnourished patients was below the recommended daily intake. Nutritional supplementation of 10 malnourished patients with a polymeric formula, infused overnight via a gastrostomy tube, resulted in a seven‐fold increase in weight gain (p < 0.001) and a doubling of linear growth velocity (p < 0.01) over a period of 18 months, compared to the 18 months prior to gastrostomy feeding. Measurements of total body nitrogen in eight of these patients demonstrated a 38% increase in body nitrogen content over 12 months, indicating a replenishment of the protein deficit.
Administration of Growth Hormone by Disposable Preloaded Syringes
Authors: DANIELSON K. , NEUMEYER L. , RITZÉN M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT.The convenience of Genotropin KabiQuick, a novel single‐use disposable injection system for growth hormone (GH) administration, was studied in 20 GH‐treated children aged 8‐16 years. The convenience of the device and tolerance to it were assessed by means of a questionnaire, which was completed by the patients and their families after a treatment period of 2 weeks. The families were asked to compare the new device with the conventional system of GH administration, involving the use of standard ampoules and ordinary syringes. The majority of patients considered the new device superior to the conventional system; 85% of patients found reconstitution easier and 70% found dosing easier. Sixty‐five per cent of patients expressed a preference for using Genotropin KabiQuick for future therapy. It is concluded that Genotropin KabiQuick is well tolerated and that the majority of patients prefer it to conventional injection systems for GH administration.
Insulin‐Like Growth Factor II Effects Mediated through Insulin‐Like Growth Factor II Receptors
Authors: TALLY M. , HALL K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF‐II) resembles the homologous peptide insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) in that it stimulates cellular growth in vitro. This effect is generally believed to be mediated through IGF type 1 receptors; the role of the IGF type 2 receptor remains, as yet, unknown. IGF‐II has been shown to stimulate clonal expansion in cells from the human erythroleukaemia cell line K562, which displays binding of IGF‐II and insulin but not IGF‐I. This IGF‐II effect was dose‐dependent and correlated to the amount of specific binding; IGF‐I did not stimulate growth. A similar effect on clonal growth was observed in the human T‐cell line Jurkat. Furthermore, IGF‐II was found to stimulate the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells (as does interleukin 2). This effect was not inhibited by addition of IGF binding protein 1. Thus, it can be concluded that IGF‐II, besides demonstrating standard IGF properties, exhibits unique biological effects in certain cells.
Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Treatment in Short Children with Chronic Renal Disease, before Transplantation or with Functioning Renal Transplants: an Interim Report on Five European Studies
Authors: JOHANSSON G. , SIETNIEKS A. , JANSSENS F. , PROESMANS W. , VANDERSCHUEREN‐LODEWEYCKX M. , HOLMBERG C. , SIPILÄ I. , BROYER M. , RAPPAPORT R. , ALBERTSSON‐WIKLAND K. , BERG U. , JODAL U. , REES L. , RIGDEN S.P.A. , PREECE M.A.
Published: January 2008

Growth retardation is common in children with chronic renal disease. Final adult height is often reduced, even in children with a functioning renal transplant. The five European studies considered here aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human growth hormone therapy (rhGH) in two groups of short children with chronic renal disease. The first group comprises 29 prepubertal children with preterminal chronic renal failure (i.e. before renal transplantation), and the second group comprises 39 prepubertal and pubertal children with functioning renal transplants. The median bone age retardation in the groups at the start of treatment was between 2.2 and 3.7 years; this did not change during the first year of treatment. This interim report concentrates on patients who have been treated for at least 1 year (i.e. 22 children from the first group, and 28 children from the transplant group (15 prepubertal and 13 pubertal children). The median height velocity increased from 4.8 cm/year to 10.0 cm/year in the first group (the chronic renal failure group), from 2.6 cm/year to 6.2 cm/year in prepubertal children with renal transplants and from 3.8 cm/year to 6.7 cm/year in pubertal children with renal transplants. The corresponding changes in height velocity SDS were from ‐1.3 to 5.1 for the chronic renal failure group and ‐2.8 to 2.3 for the prepubertal children with renal transplants. Renal function declined in the chronic renal failure group but this decline corresponded to expected progression of the disease. Some of the children with renal transplants showed a decreased renal function, which in most cases was explained by non‐compliance or chronic rejection.
Genotropin116 IU KabiVial is More Convenient than Conventional Administration Systems for Children on Growth Hormone Therapy
Authors: DANIELSON K. , NEUMEYER L. , RITZÉN M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT.The use of a new device for reconstitution and storage of growth hormone (GH), Genotropin KabiVial, was studied in 20 children, aged 9‐17 years, who had been receiving GH therapy using conventional administration systems. After 2 weeks of treatment, the convenience of the device and the patients’tolerance of it were assessed by the patients/families through a questionnaire. They were asked to compare the new device with the conventional method (standard vials and syringes). Most of the patients found the new device superior to the conventional method; they found that it was easier to reconstitute the GH and considered the multi‐dose system and the smaller injection volume to be advantageous. Ninety per cent of the patients (p< 0.001) expressed a preference for Genotropin 16 IU KabiVial for their future therapy.
Medulloblastoma in Nordic Children. III Long Term Growth and Endocrine Sequelae
Authors: JACOBSEN B. BROCK , GARWICZ S. , GLOMSTEIN A. , JONMUNDSSON G. , KRUUS S. , YSSING M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Growth and endocrine status of 38 Nordic children surviving from medulloblastoma were reevaluated 5–15 years after the diagnosis. Group I included children treated before the age of 10, and group II were the patients > 10 years at onset of tumour therapy. The median time interval from diagnosis to reexamination was 9 and 7 8/12 years in groups I and II (p>0.1). The trunchal and standing height were highly affected at the follow‐up. The median standing height standard deviation score (SDS) was ‐2.0 in group I and ‐ 1.7 in group II. The corresponding median sitting height SDS was ‐2.5 in group I and +2.0 in group II. Growth hormone deficiency was found in 23 % of the patients, and only in group I. In both groups 69 96 had increased serum TSH concentrations (median 6.5 mU/I, range 1.3–30 mU/I) in spite of normal free T4 and total T3 levels. Hypogonadism and ACTH deficiency were rarely seen.

Conclusion: In patients treated for medulloblastoma, particularly when treated in early childhood, pronounced alterations appear in growth and endocrine systems. In the general clinical control of these patients anthropometric and endocrinological tests have to be included.
Oral Rehydration Therapy: Studies on Potassium Balance
Authors: MARIN L. , ZETTERSTRÖM R. , SÖKÜCÜ S. , GÜNOZ H. , SANER G. , NEYZI O.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The clinical response and changes in potassium balance were studied during oral rehydration therapy (ORT) with a solution containing 20 mmol potassium per litre in well‐nourished and malnourished infants of 3 to 15 months of age as well as in neonates and young infants less than 2 months old (range 5‐60 days). All infants were successfully rehydrated orally. The potassium intake considerably exceeded the potassium output in all groups during the entire rehydration period. The stool and urine potassium output were about the same in the 3 groups of patients. The retention of potassium increased during ORT in all groups at about the same rate. The study thus demonstrates that an oral rehydration solution (ORS) containing 20 mmol potassium per litre provides enough potassium to all patients. An increase in the potassium concentration of the ORT is therefore not recommended.
Immune Function in Growth Hormone‐Deficient Children Treated with Biosynthetic Growth Hormone
Authors: SPADONI G. L. , ROSSI P. , RAGNO W. , GALLI E. , CIANFARANI S. , GALASSO C. , BOSCHERINI B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Conflicting data regarding the immune function in growth hormone (GH) ‐deficient children or changes in immune parameters during substitutive GH therapy have been reported. We have studied the immune function in 13 patients with GH deficiency before and during treatment with biosynthetic GH (12 IU/m2 body surface/week) after 6 and 12 months of therapy. We found that the absolute number of total T lymphocytes and T‐cell subsets (using monoclonal Ab as markers), Natural Killer cell activity (target K562) and response of lymphocytes to polyclonal mitogens (PHA, ConA, PWM) were all in the normal range and remained so after 6 and 12 months of therapy. The absolute number of B lymphocytes was in the normal range before treatment and after 6 months of therapy but dropped significantly after 12 months of treatment. Serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) did not show a parallel drop and remained normal throughout the whole study. Our GH‐deficient patients did not show any undue susceptibility to infections and our data thus seem to confirm that the immune function is basically intact in these children and that it is not suppressed by GH treatment. Although a drop in B lymphocytes was observed, the normal level of immunoglobulins and the normal functional response to PWM seem to demonstrate the maintenance of a normal humoral immune response.
Type O Renal Glucosuria
Authors: BAGGA A. , SHANKAR V. , MOUDGIL A. , SRIVASTAVA R. N.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. We observed a 7‐year‐old boy with virtual absence of renal tubular glucose reabsorption (type O renal glucosuria). Glucose titration studies in his family revealed severe type A renal glucosuria in a younger brother, a mild type A defect in the mother and normal glucose reabsorption in the father; thus a spectrum of renal glucose transport defects was observed in members of the same family.
Sodium and Potassium in Red Blood Cells of Premature Infants during the First Few Days: Risk of Hyperkalaemia
Authors: SATO K. , KONDO T. , IWAO H. , HONDA S. , UEDA K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Erythrocyte sodium and potassium were studied in 64 newborn infants including 21 very low birthweight infants (birthweight < 1500 g) during the first three days after birth. Erythrocyte sodium showed a positive correlation with gestational age (r=0.63, p<0.01) and birthweight (r=0.66, p<0.01). Erythrocyte potassium was negatively correlated with birthweight (r= ‐0.33, p<0.05). The Na/K ratio in red blood cells showed a positive correlation with gestational age (r=0.60, p<0.01) and birthweight (r=0.65, p<0.01). In VLBW infants plasma potassium rose significantly (p<0.01) from 0–6 h to 12–30 h and decreased from 12–30 h to 30–60 h (p<0.05). Erythrocyte potassium decreased slightly from 0–6 h to 12–30 h, but not significantly. A new finding that “more immature infants have higher potassium and lower sodium concentration in RBC” may suggest a potential risk of hyperkalaemia in tiny infants.
Fetal Response to Maternal Ascariasis as Evidenced by Anti Ascaris Lumbricoides IgM Antibodies in the Cord Blood
Authors: SANJEEVI C. B. , VIVEKANANDAN S. , NARAYANAN P. R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The immune response of the fetus to maternal infection with Ascaris lumbricoides was studied by estimating IgG and IgM antibodies, using ELISA, in 28 paired samples of mother and cord blood. A. lumbricoides adult male, cuticle and unembryonated egg antigen was used. Toxocara canis larva antigen was used as a specificity control. Presence of IgG in the cord blood does not signify fetal response, but the presence of IgM antibodies does. IgM antibodies to Ascaris adult male antigen were present in 27 out of 28 maternal sera and 1 out of 28 cord sera. All maternal sera and only 6 cord sera showed IgM antibodies against Ascaris cuticle and 20 out of 22 maternal sera and 8 out of 22 cord sera tested, showed IgM antibodies to Ascaris unembryonated egg antigen. Sixteen out of 22 maternal sera and none out of 22 cord sera showed IgM antibody against Toxocara canis antigen, ruling out cross reaction and transplacental leak. The results of our study suggest that the Ascaris infection can spread to the fetus and elicit immune response.
Predicting and Monitoring of Growth in Children with Short Stature during the First Year of Growth Hormone Treatment
Authors: MORTENSEN H. B. , MAIN K. , MICHAELSEN K. F. , KASTRUP K. W. , JØRGENSEN J. T. , SKAKKEBÆK N. E.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Fifteen prepubertal short stature children (10 girls, 5 boys), mean age 9.6 years (range 5.2–12.7 years), with normal response to growth hormone stimulation tests (group A) or partial growth hormone deficiency (GHD) of idiopathic nature (group B) were included in a controlled longitudinal study for evaluation of predictive parameters for the long‐term growth response after administration of biosynthetic human growth hormone (B‐hGH). The average knee–heel length velocity for the first 3 months was significantly correlated to total body height velocity during the following 9 months (p<0.0008). By contrast, this association could not be found for height velocity during the same period. The increase in serum values of alkaline phosphatase and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐1) during the first month of treatment was not significantly correlated to height velocity during the first year. During one year of treatment with B‐hGH the mean height velocity for groups A and B increased from 4.4 cm/year (range 2.5–6.5) to 7.6 cm/year (range 4.7–10.6). Bone age advanced by 1.08 t0.60 per chronological year. The ratio between total height and knee‐heel length prior to treatment was 3.34 ± 0.10 and after one year 3.33 ± 0.10, suggesting a proportional linear growth. An inverse relationship was observed between the ratio and chronological age. In conclusion, early knee–heel measurement may be a useful non‐invasive predictor of long‐term linear growth in children during treatment with growth hormone, and the ratio of total height to lower leg length may be of importance in detecting dysproportional growth.
Growth in Infancy and Childhood in Girls with Turner's Syndrome
Authors: KARLBERG J. , ALBERTSSON‐WIKLAND K. , NILSSON K. O. , RITZÉN E. M. , WESTPHAL O.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. We describe spontaneous longitudinal growth in girls with Turner's syndrome (TS), using the infancy‐childhood‐puberty (ICP) growth model. Lenght/height during the first 12 years of life was studied in 58 Swedish girls with TS. Their mean length at birth was 47.8 cm (SDS –1.4) and mean height at 12.0 years of age 127.3 cm (SDS –3.0). A clear age‐dependent subnormality was observed in the change in length‐height SDS (ΔSDS). Mean ΔSDS values at ages 0.0 to 0.5 and 3.0 to 6.0 years were normal. In contrast, the mean ΔSDS at ages 0.5 to 3.0 and 6.0 to 12.0 years were subnormal. The onset of the childhood growth component (normally located between 0.5 and 1.0 year of age) was, on the average, delayed by 0.28 year. This accounts for the subnormality of ΔSDS at 0.5 to 3.0 years of age. About 50% of the variation in height at 12.0 years of age, as determined by a multiple linear regression analysis, was significantly explained by length at 0.5 year of age, age at the onset of the childhood component, and ΔSDS at 6.0 to 12.0 years of age.
High‐Dose Intravenous Gammaglobulin Therapy for Neonatal Immune Haemolytic Jaundice due to Blood Group Incompatibility
Authors: SATO K. , HARA T. , KONDO T. , IWAO H. , HONDA S. , UEDA K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Three newborn infants who developed hyperbilirubinemia due to blood group incompatibility were treated with high‐dose gammaglobulin. Hyperbilirubinemia was caused by Rhesus (Rh) incompatibility (anti‐E + anti‐c) in Infant 1 and ABO incompatibility (anti‐B) in Infants 2 and 3. Hyperbilirubinemia was refractory to conventional phototherapy but responded well to intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGC) at dose of 1 g/kg in all infants. No adverse effects were observed. These findings suggest that high‐dose IVGG may be useful in the treatment of hyperbilirubinemia due to isoimmune baemolytic disease resistant to phototherapy.
Efficacy of Two Doses of RIT 4237 Bovine Rotavirus Vaccine for Prevention of Rotavirus Diarrhoea
Authors: VESIKARI TIMO , RUUSKA TARJA , DELEM ANDRÉE , ANDRÉ FRANCIS E. , BEARDS GRAHAM M. , FLEWETT THOMAS H.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Vesikari T., Ruuska T., Delem A., André F. E., Beards G. M. and Flewett T. H. (Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland, and the Biological Division, Smith Kline RIT Rixensart, Belgium and WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Human Rotaviruses, East Birmingham Hospital, Birmingham, U.K.). Efficacy of two doses of RIT 4237 bovine rotavirus vaccine for prevention of rotavirus diarrhoea. Acta Paediatr Scand 80: 173, 1991.

Candidate oral bovine rotavirus vaccine RIT 4237 or placebo was given to 252 Finnish infants at birth and at 7 months of age. No vaccine‐associated reactions were observed. Primary rotavirus ELISA IgM responses were detected in 36% of the infants after the first vaccination; after the second dose 68% of the vaccinees were seropositive for rotavirus ELISA IgG antibody. The infants remained in clinical follow‐up over two rotavirus epidemic seasons (total 28 months). Counted from child years in follow‐up the overall vaccine protection rate was 43%. The clinical severity of rotavirus episodes was assessed using numerical score 0–20. Vaccine protection rate for cases with score ≥7 was 57% and for cases with score ≥11 it was 89%. It is concluded that vaccination with bovine rotavirus vaccine at birth and at 7 months of age, with the second dose given shortly before rotavirus epidemic season, protects infants against moderately severe and severe rotavirus diarrhoea in the first 2 years of life.
More Than Half the Sporadic Cases of Hemophilia A in Sweden Are Due to a Recent Mutation
Authors: LJUNG R. , KLING S. , SJÖRIN E. , NILSSON I. M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to ascertain how many of the sporadic cases of severe Haemophilia A in Sweden are due to recent mutation, and establish its origin. DNA analysis was performed in 18 randomly selected families with a sporadic case of severe haemophilia A. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were investigated, two intragenic (Bcl I, Xba I/Kpn I) and two extragenic (DX 13, St 14) RFLP being used. In 10/18 families a haemophilia‐linked gene was found to have derived from the healthy maternal grandfather; on the basis of clotting and immunological assay results, the odds were high (> 104:1) for maternal carriership in four of these 10 cases, and for maternal non‐carriership in two, four being indeterminate. In 4/18 families a haemophilia‐linked gene derived from the healthy maternal grandmother; according to clotting and immunological assay results, in two cases the odds were high for maternal non‐carriership. In the remaining 4/18 families no conclusions could be drawn from the RFLP pattern as to the origin of mutation. We conclude that at least 55 % of the sporadic cases of severe hemophilia A in Sweden are due to a recent mutation within the last two genrations.
Quantification of Left to Right Shunts by Echo Doppler Cardiography in Patients with Ventricular Septal Defects
Authors: TEIEN D. , KARP K. , WENDEL H. , HUMAN D. G. , NANTON M. A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Thirty‐one patients with ventricular septal defect were evaluated with Echo Doppler cardiography and colour flow mapping. The ventricular septal defect area was estimated by measurement of the jet diameter by colour flow mapping. The ventricular septal defect flow was calculated as the product of the cross‐sectional area of the ventricular septal defect and the velocity time integral of flow through the defect. In ten patients the diameter obtained by colour flow mapping was compared with the diameter obtained at angiography, r= 0.88 (SD = 0.14 cm). The aortic flow was calculated as the product of left ventricular outflow tract cross‐sectional area and the corresponding velocity time integral. QP/QS ratio was estimated as (ventricular defect flow + aortic flow) / aortic flow and compared to estimates by a radionucleide or oximetric method. A correlation of r= 0.95 (SD = 0.23) was found.
Cellular Composition Including Lymphocyte Subsets in Preterm and Full Term Human Colostrum and Milk
Authors: JAIN N. , MATHUR N. B. , SHARMA V. K. , DWARKADAS A. M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The cellular composition of colostrum (within 72 hours post partum) and mature milk samples (5th–7th day post partum) from 20 mothers delivering preterm babies and 20 mothers delivering full term babies was examined. Lymphocyte subsets including T cells, B cells, T4 and T8 cells were quantitated by indirect immunoperoxidase staining using specific monoclonal antibodies. The mean total cell count in preterm colostrum (9 338/mm3) was significantly higher than in full term colostrum (5 594/mm3). Similarly, counts for macrophages, neutrophils and lymphocytes were significantly higher in preterm colostrum and milk as compared to full term colostrum and milk. B and T lymphocytes including T4 and T8 cells were identified in both preterm and full term breast milk. The absolute count of T, B, T4 and T8 cells was significantly higher in preterm colostrum compared to term colostrum, though the relative percentage distribution of lymphocyte subsets showed no significant difference between the two groups. T and B cells constituted about 74% and 26% of total lymphocytes, respectively in preterm as well as full term colostrum and about 69% and 31% in preterm and full term milk. The mean T4/T8 ratio was higher in preterm colostrum than term colostrum, being 1.82 and 1.60 respectively. However, this difference was not significant statistically and did not change statistically in the milk sample.
The Serum Reserve Albumin Concentration for Monoacetyldiaminodiphenyl Sulphone and Auditory Evoked Responses during Neonatal Hyperbilirubinaemia
Authors: ESBJÖRNER E. , LARSSON P. , LEISSNER P. , WRANNE L.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR) were recorded in 9 neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia. Pathological recordings were found in two children showing absence of waves and prolonged latencies. There was no correlation between latencies to waves and the total serum bilirubin concentration. The serum reserve albumin concentration for monoacetyldiaminodiphenyl sulphone (MADDS) was, however, inversely related to the latencies in the ABR recordings. Our findings suggest that the binding properties of serum albumin contribute to the risk of bilirubin toxicity and that, in this study, the reserve albumin concentration for MADDS seemed to be of Heater significance than the total bilirubin concentration.
Noonan's Syndrome: Abnormalities of the Growth Hormone/IGF‐I Axis and the Response to Treatment with Human Biosynthetic Growth Hormone
Authors: AHMED M. L. , FOOT A. B. M. , EDGE J. A. , LAMKIN V. A. , SAVAGE M. O. , DUNGER D. B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Auxological and endocrine data from 6 children (3 male, 3 female) aged 8.5–12.8 years with Noonan's syndrome and the results of treatment with human biosynthetic growth hormone (hGH) are presented. All the children were short (Ht SDS ‐3.5 to ‐2.3) and height velocity SDS ranged between ‐1.76 and +0.03. The maximum plasma growth hormone (GH) response to standard provocation tests ranged from 17 to 52 mU/l, yet, plasma insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) concentrations were low or low normal. Overnight GH secretory profiles were normal in all but 2 children who had disordered pulsatility with high trough concentrations. In 5 children who have completed one year of hGH therapy mean height velocity increased from 4.8 to 7.4 cm/year and the height velocity SDS ranged from +0.2 to +3.75. This improvement was associated with an increase in plasma IGF‐I in three subjects. These results suggest that a defect of the GH/IGF‐I axis may be present in some children with Noonan's syndrome and hGH therapy may have a role in the management of the short stature in these children.
Development of Early and Late Brainstem Conduction Time in Normal and Intrauterine Growth Retarded Children
Authors: JIANG Z. D. , WU Y. Y. , ZHEN M. S. , SUN D. K. , FENG L. Y. , PENG Y. M. , LIU X. Y.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Development of early (I–III) and late (III–V) brainstem conduction time (BCT) in the brainstem auditory evoked responses was examined and compared in 178 appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age (AGA) and 24 small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) children from birth to 6 years of age. In AGA children, the III–V/I–III interval ratio increased with age from birth to 2 years and remained relatively steady. This indicates that the development of the early and late BCT, or probably the lower and upper brainstem is not synchronous during early childhood, with a slightly faster development of the early BCT relative to the late BCT. In SGA children, the I–V, I–III and III–V intervals showed similar developmental trends to those in AGA children. However, the III–V/I–III ratio followed a developmental course which differed remarkably from that in AGA children. The ratio decreased slightly with age up to 2 years and was consistently smaller than in normal children after 1 year, indicating that the relative development of early and late BCT deviates from normal. This finding suggests that prenatal factors responsible for intrauterine growth retardation could alter the late or long‐term development of the nervous system, resulting in sub‐optimal outcome.
Linear Growth in Children with Cystic Fibrosis: I. Birth to 8 Years of Age
Authors: KARLBERG J. , KJELLMER I. , KRISTIANSSON B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The linear growth of Swedish children with cystic fibrosis (CF), is described using the infancy–childhood–puberty (ICP) growth model. Length/height was studied in 51 patients during their first 8 years of life. The median age at diagnosis was 0.4 years (range 0.0–6.1 years). At birth, their mean length was close to normal, but the gain in length over the first 0.25 years of life was significantly below normal, resulting in a mean length SDS of ‐1.3. Length remained subnormal up to 1.0 year of age. Thereafter, catch‐up growth occurred, resulting in almost normal height (mean SDS ‐0.3) at 5.0 years of age. Between 5.0 and 8.0 years of age growth was normal. The mean age at onset of the childhood component was not significantly different from the controls. Hence, the catch‐up growth did not occur until after the onset of the childhood component. This study shows that the postnatal linear growth rate is retarded in children with CF during the first months of life. This is almost completely compensated for by a supranormal growth rate that starts at the end of the first year of life.
Coeliac Disease, Folk Acid Deficiency and Epilepsy with Cerebral Calcifications
Authors: VENTURA A. , BOUQUET F. , SARTORELLI C. , BARBI E. , TORRE G. , TOMMASINI G.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Two cases of focal occipital epilepsy with cerebral calcifications poorly responsive to antiepileptic treatment are described. In both cases coeliac disease was diagnosed and folic acid deficiency documented. A gluten‐free diet and a brief supplementation with folic acid lead to a complete EEG and clinical normalization in one case and to a significant improvement of EEG and seizure control in the other.
X‐Linked Agammaglobulinemia and Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: MONAFO V. , MAGHNIE M. , TERRACCIANO L. , VALTORTA A. , MASSA M. , SEVERI F.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. No further reports of associated X‐linked hypogammaglobulinemia and isolated growth hormone deficiency have appeared in the literature since the description of the first affected family, two brothers and two maternal uncles, by Fleisher et al. in 1980. We report here a 13‐year‐old boy with X‐linked agammaglobulinemia and isolated growth hormone deficiency, also probably inherited as an X‐linked trait. The height of an older agammaglobulinemic brother who died at 6 years of age was below the third percentile.
A Discordant Movement in Urine Calcium Excretion in Relation to Serum Calcium and Parathyroid Function Occurring Immediately after Birth
Authors: NISHIOKA T. , YASUDA T. , NIIMI H.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. We studied the relationship between serum calcium and urinary calcium excretion in association with the parathyroid function in 28 neonates at birth and at five days of age. At birth, the urine calcium was low in spite of high cord serum calcium and a low parathyroid hormone level. On the fifth day of birth, urinary calcium excretion increased despite the reduction in serum calcium and an increase in the parathyroid hormone. These results suggest that the large increase in renal blood flow and the consequent increase in calcium load on the immature renal tubule occurring after birth may be the main cause for the change in this serum calcium‐urinary calcium relationship. This finding can in part explain the temporary hypocalcemia during this period.
Circulating Blood Volume in Appropriate and Small for Gestational Age Full Term and Preterm Polycythaemic Infants
Authors: MAERTZDORF W. J. , ALDENHUYZEN‐DORLAND W. , SLAAF D. W. , TANGELDER G. J. , BLANCO C. E.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Relative circulating volume (CV) was determined in 31 polycythaemic newborn infants who underwent a partial plasma exchange transfusion (PPET). The infants were divided in four subgroups: appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term and preterm infants, and small for gestational age (SGA) term and preterm infants. CV was calculated using a regression line between the number of exchange steps and central venous haematocrit values obtained before the procedure and after every exchange step. The median relative CV in all polycythaemic newborn infants was 94.0 (range 69‐143) ml/kg. Irrespective of gestational age and birthweight the median relative CV in AGA infants was 86.5 (range 69‐107) ml/kg, which differed significantly from the value of 106 (range 85‐143) ml/kg found in SGA infants. If a PPET is indicated we recommend to calculate the exchange volume in AGA infants using a relative CV of 86 ml/kg and in SGA infants using a relative CV of 106 ml/kg.
Deficiency of IgG Subclasses and IgA, and Elevation of IgE in Children with a Past History of Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: LOH R. K. S. , THONG Y. H. , FERRANTE A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Of 44 children who recovered from an attack of bacterial meningitis, 3 (7%) were found to have IgC subclass deficiency, 5(11%) had IgA deficiency and 22 (50%) had raised IgE levels. These results suggest that immunoglobulin abnormalities may be an important predisposing factor in some cases of bacterial meningitis.
Congenital Agammaglobulinemia Presenting with Ecthyma Gangrenosum
Authors: NUSSINOVITCH M. , FRYDMAN M. , COHEN H. A. , VARSANO I.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Two males with presumed X‐linked agammaglobulinemia (X‐LA) presented with ecthyma gangrenosum. This is an unusual presentation of this syndrome. Possible causes are discussed.
Radiocontrast‐Induced Nephropathy in a Pair of Xiphaomphalopagus Conjoined Twins during the Neonatal Period
Authors: BOO NEM‐YUN , MAHMUD M. N. , SAMAD S. A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. One of the babies in a pair of xiphaomphalopagus conjoined twins developed oliguria, transient rise in serum creatinine and persistent nephrogram on the sixth day of life following injection of radiocontrast medium for computerised axial tomography scanning of the urinary system. The other twin was spared but developed hypertension and “dialysed” the oliguric twin. The renal profiles of both neonates subsequently remained normal until they reached adequate weight for surgical separation at a later date.
Neonatal Follow‐up of Very Low Birthweight/Extremely Low Birthweight Infants to School Age: A Critical Overview
Authors: ORNSTEIN M. , OHLSSON A. , EDMONDS J. , ASZTALOS E.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Neonatal follow‐up studies of school age children, published in the last decade, were critically reviewed. Nine studies examined extremely low birthweight infants (≤1000 g) and 16 involved very low birthweight infants (≤1500 8). The majority of children had age appropriate I.Q. scores, however, there was a greater variability of test scores. There was an increased need for special education or remedial therapy. Visual‐motor integration deficits were frequently reported. Behavioural difficulties were described. Fine and gross motor incoordination was identified. There was no conclusive correlation between perinatal course and school outcome. Gender did appear to influence outcome, in the small percent of studies which examined this variable, with females generally faring better. Low socioeconomic status was the most frequently reported predictor of poor outcome. Identified methodological limitations included heterogeneous samples, lack of control groups, high attrition, variable diagnostic criteria and lack of consensus regarding correction for prematurity.
Perinatal Mortality in Jamaica 1986‐1987
Authors: COARD K. , CODRINGTON G. , ESCOFFREY C. , KEELING J. W. , ASHLEY D. , GOLDING J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A large population‐based study of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths occurring on the island of Jamaica during a 12 month period is described. During this time, 2069 perinatal deaths were identified in an estimated total of 54400 infants born giving a perinatal death rate of 38.0 per 1000 births. The death rate was 5 times higher among twins than singletons. An attempt was made to obtain detailed postmortem examination of as many cases as possible. In the event, 51 % of the infants who died perinatally had such postmortem examination. Postmortem rate was affected by sex, multiplicity of the infant, time of death, month of death and area of delivery. Deaths were classified using the Wigglesworth scheme. The distribution of categories was similar in the months when the postmortem rate was 70 % to the rest of the time period when the post‐mortem rate was only 40 %. The Wigglesworth classification of deaths identified those associated with intrapartum asphyxia as the most important group, accounting for over 40 % of deaths overall and 59 % of deaths in infants of more than 2 500 g birthweight. Antepartum fetal deaths were the second largest group, comprising 20 % of deaths. Sixty percent of the infants in this group weighed less than 2 500 g at birth. Major malformations were responsible for few perinatal deaths in Jamaica. This simple classification is important as it focusses attention on details of labour and delivery that may require change and is useful in planning future delivery of obstetric and neonatal care.
High Density Lipoprotein Particle Size Distribution in Cord Blood
Authors: KHERKEULIDZE PAATA , JOHANSSON JAN , CARLSON LARS A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Cord blood from 73 full term healthy newborns and blood from adults were analysed for the protein content of high density lipoprotein subclasses separated by gradient gel electrophoresis. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations of very low (VLDL), low (LDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins were also analysed and newborns had lower concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides in VLDL, LDL and HDL (p < 0.001) than adults. The HDL3c subclass, comprising the smallest particles of the HDL particle spectrum, was the major component for newborns and the minor one for adults and was the only lipoprotein fraction with a higher concentration in cord than in adult blood. No sex differences were present for any of the lipoprotein levels of the newborns. Serum cholesterol concentrations were positively correlated to HDL2br= 0.49, p < 0.001) and HD2a levels (0.42, p < 0.001), correlations confined to the cholesterol contents of HDL (r= 0.72 and r= 0.67 respectively, both p < 0.001). Serum triglycerides were inversely correlated to HD2b and HD2a, levels in male newborns only (r= 0.38 and r= 0.34 respectively, both p < 0.05). Irrespective of sex, gestational age and birthweight the newborns had 2 typical HDL subclass distributions, characterized by high or low levels of HDL2b and HDL2a. The newborns with high HDL2b and HDL2a levels also had low VLDL lipid levels and high HDL cholesterol concentrations.
Low Breath Hydrogen Production in Post‐Diarrheic Infants
Authors: JR F. JOSEPH , ROSENBERG A. J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Thirty hospitalized infants, aged 1 month to 15 months, who were more than 24 hours into a post‐recovery period from diarrheic episodes were studied for breath hydrogen production due to intestinal lactulose fermentation. Only 16% of the infants demonstrated hydrogen production of > 20 parts per million (ppm) over the baseline. We conclude that a recovery period much longer than 24 hours from the last diarrheic episode is necessary to obtain any reliable data from breath hydrogen tests administered to infants.
Circulating Thyroid Antibodies in Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: ILICKI ADAM , LARSSON AGNE , KARLSSON F. ANDERS
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The role of maternal thyroid antibodies in congenital hypotyroidism is controversial. We have analysed serum thyroid antibodies in patients and their mothers. In a bioassay, antibodies interacting with thyroid cells were analysed by measuring of TSH‐stimulated CAMP production in a rat thyroid cell line, FRTLS. Serum antibodies against the TSH receptor, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin were determined by radioreceptor assay and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The bioassay was performed with IgG preparations from 89 mothers of children with congenital hypothyroidism. Analyses for TSH receptor antibodies and thyroid peroxidase/thyroglobulin antibodies were performed on 144 and 118 sera of newborn patients respectively. No evidence of an increased prevalence of thyroid antibodies was found on comparison with controls. One infant had transient neonatal hyperthyrotropinaemia because of TSH receptor blocking antibodies transferred from the mother. Our data indicate that, apart from transplacental transfer of TSH receptor antibodies, maternal immunoglobulins have a limited role in the aetiology of congenital thyroid dysfunction.
Influence of Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists on Urethral Pressure, Bladder Pressure and Detrusor Hyperactivity in Children with Myelodysplasia
Authors: ÅMARK P. , NERGÅDH A.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT.In children with myelodysplasia and a low lumbar or sacral level of spinal cord lesions detrusor hyperactivity with pressure fluctuations is an almost constant phenomenon contributing to incontinence. In thirteen children with this type of dysfunction the effect of adrenergic agonists and antagonists on bladder and urethral pressures were studied by means of intravesical and urethral pressure recordings during the normal bladder‐filling phase. Intravenous infusion of noradrenaline during the bladder‐filling phase slightly reduced detrusor hyperactivity and the urethral pressure was increased. Following i.m. injection of the alpha‐adrenergic antagonist pheatolamine both the intravesical and proximal urethral pressures were reduced to about the same extent and the detrusor hyperactivity decreased. It is concluded that noradrenaline mainly changed urethral pressure while alpha‐adrenergic blockade caused decreased tone in both the detrusor and the urethra as well as decreased detrusor hyperactivity.
Self‐Reported Health Status and Use of Medical Care by 3500 Adolescents in Western Sweden. I
Authors: KELLY KRISTINA BERG , EHRVÉR MARIANNE , ERNEHOLM TORBJÖRN , GUNDEVALL CHRISTER , WENNERBERG INGELA , WETTERGREN LENA
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Some 3500 adolescents answered a questionnaire anonymously. The sample represented 85 % of the students between the ages 13 to 16 and 65 % of the students between 17 to 18 in the three communities studied. The students all had middle class backgrounds. Self‐reported illness differed considerably from data found in epidemiological surveys. The self‐reported medical panorama was dominated by concerns about acne, tiredness, headaches, stomach pains, sports injuries and allergic disorders. One quarter to one third of the students reported such problems. Overall, 85% of the students reported that they were “completely healthy”, at the same time as they also reported an average of 3.1 medical complaints. Self‐initiated appointments with physicians were reported with an average of 5.5 during the last year, which is high. About 40% of the students had one complaint for which they wanted to see a physician. About 15% reported that they had had suicidal thoughts.
Self‐Reported Health Status and Use of Medical Care by 3500 Adolescents in Western Sweden. II: Could Clustering of Symptoms and Certain Background Factors Help Identify Troubled Young People?
Authors: KELLY KRISTINA BERG
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A descriptive study has been reported regarding some 3500 persons aged 13‐18, who anonymously answered a questionnaire regarding their health. This is a further analysis of the data from this study. The main finding is that students seem to say important things about themselves by “somatizing”. Roughly one third of the students who stated that they were not feeling healthy had had suicidal thoughts, while only one tenth of those who stated they were healthy said they had had such thoughts. School dropouts who might have serious troubles, were overrepresented among those with many medical complaints, suicidal thoughts and high rates of self‐initiated medical visits. “Bad mood” turned out to be another such marker of distress with high rates of medical complaints and medical consultations. Admitting to use of alcohol, cigarettes and or illicit drugs was also related to aspects of bad health. Female gender and not living with both parents were correlated with significant adolescent distress. A factor called “perceived social age” also turned out to be significantly connected with distress. This factor was the difference between chronological age and the adolescent's estimation of what age others perceived him as being. Those who indicated a perceived social age of at least two years above their chronological age were more depressed, had more medical complaints and more often used alcohol and cigarettes than those who perceived themselves as “socially the right age”. The present study does not permit conclusions as to what was considered the basis for “perceived social age”.
Menarcheal Age and Growth Pattern of Indian Girls Adopted in Sweden: I. Menarcheal Age
Authors: PROOS L. A. , HOFVANDER Y. , TUVEMO T.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The median menarcheal age of 107 girls adopted from India by families in Sweden was 11.6 years, which was significantly lower than in Swedish and most Indian studies. Five girls had menarche before the age of 9 years, the earliest at 7.3 years. Those who arrived at a later age had earlier menarche. No differences in menarcheal age were found with respect to geographic origin. The reasons for the earlier pubertal maturation are not clear. Factors associated with the rapid transition from an underprivileged to a privileged environment are probably involved, besides genetic determinants. The serious medical, social and emotional consequences of very early pubertal development necessitate further clarification of the underlying mechanisms.