bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VITAMIN D NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PREMATURE INFANTS SUPPLEMENTED WITH 500 IU VITAMIN D2 PER DAY
Authors: MARKESTAD T. , AKSNES L. , FINNE P. H. , AARSKOG D.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The vitamin D nutritional status of premature infants was assessed by determining plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations before and during supplementation with 500 IU vitamin D2 per day. Fifty‐one samples were collected from 25 healthy infants fed breast milk and a vitamin D3 fortified formula. Gestational age was 32.2±2.4 weeks (mean ± 1 SD). 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels before supplementation correlated well with maternal values (r=0.81). The infants' mean plasma concentration increased from 30.6±13.7 nmol/l (mean±1 SD) after birth to 46.3±10.5 nmol/l after 9±1 days (p <0.0025), and to 65.3±16.6 nmol/l after 37±10 days of vitamin D2 treatment (p <0.0005). 25‐hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 were determined separately, and it appeared that the rise was accounted for by the D2 fraction while 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations were unchanged. The results demonstrate that vitamin D2 is well absorbed and hydroxylated in the 25 position by premature infants free of associated disease, and that a supplementation of 500 IU per day in addition to breast milk and a regular vitamin D fortified formula is adequate to rapidly establish 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels within the normal adult range.
XEROPHTHALMIA IN URBAN BANGLADESH
Authors: COHEN N. , MEASHAM C. , KHANUM S. , KHATUN M. , AHMED N.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Eight per cent of children attending a nutrition unit in urban Bangladesh had the eye signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. About 1 in 10 of children with xerophthalmia and moderate‐to‐severe protein‐energy malnutrition (PEM) had corneal involvement (X2, X3A/B): seasonal variation in prevalence was striking. Xerophthalmia was commonest in the 2–3 years age group and was associated with gastro‐enteritis and measles. Breast feeding rates were low for PEM children with or without xerophthalmia. Poverty and overall shortage of food are the common denominators for both PEM and xerophthalmia. Effective vitamin A deficiency preventive strategies in urban Bangladesh will need, therefore, to include a broad range of measures such as the present limited distribution of high potency vitamin A capsules (200 000 IU) to children aged 0–6 years, food subsidies and food fortification if the most vulnerable children in the slums are to be reached.
ACUTE POISONINGS OF CHILDREN IN OSLO
Authors: JACOBSEN D. , HALVORSEN K. , MARSTRANDER J. , SUNDE K. , BAKKEN A. F.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A one year prospective study of all children under 15 years of age presenting for acute poisoning in Oslo is reported. There were 181 admissions in 179 children, of which 97 (54 %) were boys, giving an annual incidence of 2.3 %. All children survived without sequelae. Most poisonings were accidental and only two suicidal attempts were recorded. Of all poisonings 68 per cent occurred between the age of 1 and 2 years. The dominating toxic agents were drugs (44 %), tobacco (22 %) and petroleum products (9 %). Most poisonings were mild and only 7 (4 %) classified as severe. Seventy‐two per cent of all children were admitted within the second hour after the ingestion of the toxic agent. Therapy should therefore be directed towards emptying the stomach with emetics or gastric lavage, unless corrosives or petroleum products are ingested. Childhood poisonings still call for better preventive measures since the toxic agent was found inappropriately stored in 86 % of the accidental poisonings.
NEONATAL ALLOIMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIA
Authors: BROCKMEIER F. K. , NORDHAGEN R. , FINNE P. H.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Two families are presented, where the mothers have given birth to children with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAITP) due to immunization towards the platelet specific antigen PIA1, which is responsible for most of the cases with NAITP. Anti‐PIA1 has previously been difficult to demonstrate, but current techniques, such as the platelet suspension immunofluorescence test (PSIFT) used here, have made routine laboratory diagnosis possible. Both mothers in these families were HLA‐B8 positive. This antigen shows strong association with PIA1 immunzation.
DE NOVO INTERSTITIAL DELETION OF THE LONG ARM OF CHROMOSOME 2 IN A MALFORMED NEWBORN WITH A KARYOTYPE: 46, XY, del(2)(q12q14)
Authors: ANTICH J. , CARBONELL X. , MAS J. , CLUSELLAS N.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A male neonate with severe malformations, including facial dysmorphism, a short neck, postaxial‐hexadactyly of the toes, congenital herat disease, hydronephrosis, imperforate anus and agenesis of corpus callosum, is described. His karyotype was 46, XYdel(2)(q12q14).
COLONIC NEURONAL DYSPLASIA
Authors: DICKSON J. A. S. , VARIEND S.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A child with colonic neuronal dysplasia is reported in whom the whole length of the colon was involved. Multiple colonoscopic mucosal biopsies with acetylcholines‐terase staining provided a useful means of assessing the extent of the lesion. Colectomy has, so far, been resisted in view of the relatively mild symptoms in a child who is otherwise thriving. The neonatal necrotising enterocolitis in this case is probably related pathogenetically to that sometimes seen in Hirschsprung's disease. Greater awareness of this condition and the more frequent use of acetylcholinesterase staining of rectal biopsy tissue will probably uncover more cases.
SEQUENTIAL DETERMINATION OF CRP, α1‐ANTITRYPSIN AND HAPTOGLOBIN IN NEONATAL SEPTICAEMIA
Authors: SPEER CH. , BRUNS A. , GAHR M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. In 312 preterm and term newborn infants serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin and α1‐antitrypsin were measured during several days by radial immunodiffusion. In addition white blood cell count and the ratio of band to total neutrophils (B/N‐ratio) were determined. In 12 infants with proven sepsis CRP was found elevated above the upper limit of the normal range (20 mg/l). Successful therapy was followed by a decrease of CRP concentration. In infants with suspected infection high CRP values were found in most cases. In contrast, haptoglobin and α1‐antitrypsin concentrations differed not significantly between the group of infants without infection, with proven and with suspected infection. White blood cell count and B/N‐ratio also were not appropriate for the early identification of bacterial infection in the newborn period.
FLUORIDE IN HUMAN MILK
Authors: SPAK C. J. , HARDELL L. I. , DE CHATEAU P.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Reported contents of fluoride (F) in human milk vary considerably. The aim of this study was to determine the F content in human milk under different levels of F intake using a silicon‐facilitated microdiffusion technique, which had a good accuracy and precision. The mean F concentration of colostrum from mothers in a 1.0 ppm and a 0.2 ppm F area was 0.36±0.02 μmol/I (± SEM) and 0.28±0.02 μmol/I, respectively. The mean F concentration of mature milk from a 1.0 ppm F area was 0.37±0.04 μmol/I. Within the 1.0 ppm F area, the intra‐ and interindividual differences in F concentration were very small. No statistically significant difference in milk F concentration between the two areas was found. Consequently, breastfed infants living in a 1 ppm or a 0.2 ppm F area will have an approximately equal F intake of 5‐10 μg per day, in spite of great differences in F intake among the nursing mothers.
PROLIDASE DEFICIENCY
Authors: PEDERSEN P. S. , CHRISTENSEN E. , BRANDT N. J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The clinical and biochemical findings in a four‐year‐old girl with prolidase deficiency, treated with L‐proline, manganese and ascorbic acid, are presented.
LACTATION PERFORMANCE OF MOTHERS WITH CONTRASTING NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN RURAL KENYA
Authors: STEENBERGEN WIL M. VAN , KUSIN JANE A. , WITH C. DE , LACKO E. , JANSEN A. A. J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Breastmilk yields and its composition during the first 6 months of lactation were measured in 46 women with low weight‐for‐height during the third trimester of pregnancy (WH minus group) and in 52 mothers with good weight‐for‐height in the same period (WH plus group). On Byerage WH minus mothers produced 695 g per 24 hours and WH plus mothers 790 g. In the WH minus group yield was affected by feeding frequency, season, mother's energy intake during lactation and infant's weight‐for‐age. In the WH plus group feeding frequence, parity and sex were the affecting variables (male infants consumed more milk). The difference in yield between WH minus and WH plus mothers corrected for feeding frequency, sex and season was significant but was only 80 g per 24 hours. Protein and lactose concentrations in milk were in both groups comparable with that of British mothers, fat concentrations were lower.
LEVELS OF ORGANOCHLORINE CONTAMINANTS IN HUMAN MILK IN RELATION TO THE DIETARY HABITS OF THE MOTHERS
Authors: NORÉN K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The levels of p, p'‐DDT, p, p'‐DDE, dieldrin, α‐ and β‐hexachlorocyclohexe (α‐HCH, β‐HCH), hexachlorobenzene and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in milk fat from mothers with different dietary habits. The categories studied comprised mothers eating a lacto‐vegetarian diet (18 milk samples), a mixed diet (20 milk samples) and a mixed diet which regularly included fatty fish from the Baltic (11 milk samples). The lowest levels of p, p'‐DDT+p, p'‐DDE and PCBs were found in milk from lacto‐vegetarians and the highest levels in milk from mothers who regularly consumed fatty fish from the Baltic. Factors other than the diets which could influence the levels of the organochlorine compounds are discussed, e. g. mother's age, amount of milk produced and mother's weight loss.
PLASMA ERYTHROPOIETIN CONCENTRATIONS DURING THE EARLY ANEMIA OF PREMATURITY
Authors: HÅGÅ P. , MEBERG A. , HALVORSEN S.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Plasma erythropoietin concentrations were studied in 11 preterm appropriate for gestational age infants at the age of 3‐14 weeks. Their birth weights ranged from 860‐1690 g. Erythropoietin was measured by a cell culture technique. Significant concentrations of erythropoietin was detected in 18 out of 29 samples, at all stages of the early anemia. The highest levels were found at 3‐9 weeks. Individual erythropoietin values did not correlate with hemoglobin concentrations, hematocrit levels or ‘corrected' reticulocyte counts, nor did the ‘corrected’ reticulocyte count correlate with hemoglobin or hematocrit. The lack of correlation with hemoglobin concentration most likely reflects the importance of other factors as well as the hemoglobin in determining the oxygenation status of the infant. A significant positive correlation (r=0.60, p<0.01) was found between erythropoietin concentration and weight gain in the preceding week. The study shows that small preterm infants are capable of erythropoietin production during their early anemia, and indicates that the hormone plays a role in the regulation of erythropoiesis also at this time of life.
POSTPRANDIAL GASTRIC ACID SECRETION IN INFANTS
Authors: CAVELL B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Gastric acid secretion in response to meals of infant formula was studied in 8 healthy infants aged 4 to 24 weeks. The technique involved intragastric volume determinations using a marker and measurement of the acidity of the gastric contents. In the 2‐hour postprandial period, pH declined from 7 to 5.2. The one‐hour postprandial gastric acid output was 236±49 μmol/kg body weight.
EFFECT OF METABOLIC CONTROL AND DURATION ON EXERCISE ‐ INDUCED ALBUMINURIA IN DIABETIC TEEN‐AGERS
Authors: DAHLQUIST G. , APERIA A. , CARLSSON L. , LINNÉ T. , PERSSON B. , THORÉN C. , WILTON P.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Nineteen type I diabetic teen‐agers without clinical signs of nephropathy with a duration of diabetes varying from 3 to 16.8 years were examined by a standardized exercise test for analysis of urinary excretion of albumin and β2‐microglobulin. The patients were studied both in poor and improved (but not perfect), metabolic control as defined by HbA1 and blood glucose profiles, and the values were compared to those of 14 age‐matched healthy controls. The controls showed no increase in albumin excretion rate during excercise as was found in diabetic patients. The albumin excretion rate during exercise was significantly correlated (p<0.05) to systolic blood pressure in the diabetic patients. Blood pressure in the diabetic patients was, however, similar to that of controls both at rest and during exercise. Urinary β2‐microglobulin did not change during exercise. The urinary albumin excretion during exercise decreased significantly with improved metabolic control in diabetic patients, but the albumin excretion rate was not correlated with either blood or urinary glucose or diuresis during the exercise test. When metabolic control was unproved there was a significant correlation between the increase in albumin excretion rate during exercise and the duration of diabetes, indicating that part of the exercise‐induced albumin excretion might reflect irreversible morphological changes in the diabetic kidney. This test might therefore have a predictive value for diabetic nephropathy if performed during strict metabolic control.
COLLOID OSMOTIC PRESSURE OF CORD BLOOD IN RELATION TO NEONATAL OUTCOME AND MODE OF DELIVERY
Authors: KERO P. , KORVENRANTA H. , ALAMAAKALA P. , SELÄNNE P. , KIILHOLMA P. , VÄLIMÄKI I.
Published: January 2008

Kero, P., Korvenranta, H., Alamaakala, P., Selänne, P., Kiilholma, P., and Välimäki, I. (Department of Paediatrics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland). Colloid osmotic pressure of cord blood in relation to neonatal outcome and mode of delivery. Acta Paediatr Scand, Suppl. 305: 88–91, 1983.—Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) of umbilical cord blood was measured in 184 infants, 113 of whom were delivered vaginally and 71 by Caesarean section, 152 were born at term and 32 were preterm (gestational age <37 weeks). Thirteen infants developed RDS, 20 had transient tachypnoea (TT) and 13 had perinatal asphyxia. There was a significant linear correlation between COP and total protein in cord blood (r=0.91). Such a correlation was also found between COP of cord blood and gestational age in the non–RDS group (r=0.49). COP was higher (19.6 mmHg) in the infants delivered vaginally than in those delivered by Caesarean section (16.8 mmHg, p<0.001). In the RDS group COP was 13.2 mmHg, in the TT group 15.6 mmHg and in the asphyctic group 16.9 mmHg (normal 18.3 mmHg). COP appeared to be of diagnostic assistance in babies developing neonatal pulmonary maladaptation syndromes.
Serum Concentrations of Vitamin D Metabolites in Exclusively Breast‐Fed Infants at 70° North
Authors: MARKESTAD T. , KOLMANNSKOG S. , ARNTZEN E. , TOFTEGAARD L. , HANEBERG B. , AKSNES L.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The effect of prolonged breast‐feeding on the serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase was studied longitudinally in 7 infants from Northern Norway. They were exclusively breast‐fed for a median of 71/2 months. Three of the mothers were supplemented with vitamin D throughout lactation. All but one of the infants had 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25‐OHD) levels in the rachitic range (< 20 nmol/l) on at least one occasion. Vitamin D supplementation of the mother had no apparent effect on the infants' 25‐OHD levels, but the values increased during summer. The infant who had the lowest 25‐OHD levels also had decreased 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25‐(OH)2D) concentrations, while the others maintained l,25‐(OH)2D levels within normal limits. 24,25‐(OH)2D concentrations were undetectable when the 25‐OHD levels were below 35 nmol/l, but the two metabolites were closely correlated for higher values of 25‐OHD. Low 25‐OHD levels were associated with decreased phosphate concentrations at 6 months. The calcium levels were normal throughout the study period of one year, as were all but two of the alkaline phospatase values. Although none of the infants had clinical or biochemical evidence of rickets, the results suggest that the vitamin D supply from human milk is inadequate, and that routine vitamin D supplementation is advisable for breast‐fed infants who are deprived of sunlight exposure.
Early Bladder Training in Patients with Spina Bifida
Authors: BILLE B. , ERIKSSON B. , GIERUP J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A bladder training programme was applied in 43 children with myelomeningocele and complete urinary incontinence. In one group the training was commenced before the age of 3 years (mean age 1.3 years) and in another group between the ages of 3 and 13 years (mean age 5.8 years). The results as regards continence were better in the group with an early start of training, girls showing significantly better results than boys. Pharmacotherapy and cautious urethral surgery were valuable complements in selected cases. Vesico‐ureteral reflux disappeared during treatment in 60 % of the patients. Patients not showing significant improvement should be candidates for clean intermittent catheterization and/or cholinergic drugs, if detrusor hyperactivity is present.
Pregnancy Outcome and Social Indicators in Sweden
Authors: ERICSON ANDERS , ERIKSSON MARGARETA , WESTERHOLM PETER , ZETTERSTROM ROLF
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Perinatal mortality, birth weight, the distribution of gestational age, and the relationship between gestational age and birth weight have been studied with regard to births reported to the Register of Births during 1976–77. In order to determine the influence of socio‐economic factors on the parameters studied, the information from the birth register has been combined with that from the 1975 census in Sweden (including occupation of the mother, income of the family, type of family and housing standard). The total population of 190024 infants was divided into three groups; 6915 infants (3.6 %) were assigned to the most privileged group (group I) and 26430 (13.9 %) to the less privileged group (group III). The perinatal mortality rate did not differ significantly between group I and III. A comparison of the three groups showed a socio‐economic difference as regards birth weight and the incidence of preterm as well as of postterm births. The less privileged group had a greater proportion of infants of low birth weight and of infants that were small for gestational age.
Metabolic Control in Children and Adolescents with Insulin‐Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: KÄÄR M.‐L. , ÅKERBLOM H. K. , HUTTUNEN N.‐P. , KNIP M. , SÄKKINEN K.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The metabolic control, assessed from the mean daily glucosuria, mean daily glucosuria index based on home tests, and mean haemoglobin A1 (HbA1) concentrations during 1980, and the influence of various factors on the control were analysed in 177 diabetic children and adolescents. The mean daily glucosuria was 21 % of the carbohydrates in the subscribed diet, and the mean glucosuria index 55 %. The mean HbA] was 14.0 %. Boys had better metabolic control than girls. Good motivation towards treatment was associated with better metabolic control. There was a negative correlation between metabolic control and both the age of the child and the duration of diabetes. Prepubertal children were better controlled than those in puberty. Adherence to the dietary regimen was related to better control, as was the patient's endogenous insulin secretion, measured by serum C‐peptide concentration. There was also an association between the season and the metabolic control, the control being better in the spring than during the other seasons. On the basis of these results male sex, a good motivation towards treatment, residual beta‐cell function and adherence to the prescribed diet favor good metabolic control, while a long duration of the disease, the presence of puberty and relatively high age in childhood are factors impairing the metabolic control.
The Dosage Dependency of Growth and Maturity in Growth Hormone Deficiency Treated with Human Growth Hormone
Authors: VICENS‐CALVET E. , VENDRELL J. M. , ALBISU M. , POTAU N. , AUDI L. , GUSINE M.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. A group of 11 pre‐pubertal growth hormone deficient patients were treated with human growth hormone over a period of 4 years. In 6 of the patients the dosage was 4 IU 3 times a week and in 5, 8 IU 3 times a week. Changes in height demonstrated that the “catch up” was significantly greater and of longer duration in the second group. In spite of a more rapid increase of bone age in the second group, the prognosis of final height had improved significantly at the end of the study period. A comparative study of the plasma concentrations of T4, T SH, gonadotrophins and steroids, to see if the greater velocity of bone maturity in the second group could be due to contamination of the preparation by other could be due to contamination of the preparation by other hypophysary hormones, did not demonstrate significant differences between the groups.
Height, Sitting Height and Leg Length in Patients with Hypophosphataemic Rickets
Authors: STEENDIJK R. , HERWEIJER T. J.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Height, sitting height (SH) and subischeal leg length (SLL) were determined in 5 boys and 11 girls with hypophosphataemic (vitamin D‐resistant) rickets, aged 4–14 years. Their average height was ‐2.05 ± 1.22 SDS, and SLL (average value: ‐2.59 ± 1.18 SDS) was more reduced than SH (average value: ‐0.91 ± 1.37 SDS). SLL and SH were abnormally low in 11 and 3 of the patients respectively. The difference between SLL and SH was abnormally low in only 4 of the children, indicating a mild degree of disproportion. None of the patients had relatively long legs. There was no relation between height and the degree of disproportion, a finding which tallied with the relatively mild degree of disproportion. This indicated that the normal interindividual differences in proportion were more important than a preferential effect of rickets on leg length.
Plasma Valine and Urinary C‐Peptide in Breast‐fed and Artificially Fed Infants up to 6 Months of Age
Authors: GINSBURG B. E. , LINDBLAD B. S. , LUNDSJÖ A. , PERSSON B. , ZETTERSTRÖM R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Plasma branched‐chain amino acids and urinary C‐peptide‐creatinine excretion was determined at 3, 41/2 and 6 months of age in a group of 50 infants who were either breast‐fed or artificially fed and selected at random. The average concentrations of valine in plasma and C‐peptide in urine as well as the ratio between C‐peptide and creatinine in urine were 2–3 times higher (p < 0.01) in artificially fed as compared to breast‐fed infants at all the ages studied. Plasma valine values correlated significantly with the urinary C‐peptide/creatinine ratio (r= 0.76, p < 0.01), which suggests that the enhanced insulin response induced by the artificial formula is related to its protein content.
Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes in Newborn Infants Treated by Phototherapy
Authors: ALPERT G. , SHOHAT M. , REISNER S. H. , DANON Y. L.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. In order to determine the in vivo effect of phototherapy on the erythrocytes' osmotic fragility, we have tested 10 preterm infants treated by continuous phototherapy, for jaundice of prematurity. Heparinized blood was obtained daily, starting before the initiation of phototherapy and ending 24 h after stopping the treatment. The osmotic fragility was tested in duplicate immediately, after 1 h incubation at 40°C and after 24 h incubation at 4°C in darkness. The erythrocytes of the preterm infant during and at the end of phototherapy showed a normal osmotic fragility pattern. Comparing the consecutive curves in each infant did not show any population of osmotically differing erythrocytes. Heating or cooling the erythrocytes did not alter these results. It is concluded that phototherapy does not increase the in vivo osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in newborn.
Salivary Ribonuclease in Cystic Fibrosis and Control Subjects
Authors: BARDON A. , CEDER O. , EKBOHM G. , KOLLBERG H.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Alkaline acid‐ and thermostable ribonuclease (RNAase) was assayed in whole mixed saliva from controls and from cystic fibrosis (CF) heterozygotes and homozygotes. There was a significant difference in salivary RNAase activity between control adults (n= 99) and CF heterozygotes (n= 77) (12.6 ± 0.60 and 36.6 ± 2.2 U/l, mean ± SE respectively; p < 0.001) and between control children (n= 1834) and CF patients (n= 60) (7.9 ± 0.15 and 47.0 ± 5.4 U/l respectively; p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference in salivary RNAase activity was also found between control children and control adults (p < 0.001) and between CF homozygotes and CF heterozygotes (p < 0.001). The protein concentration was significantly increased by about 50–60 % in saliva both from CF heterozygotes and from CF homozygotes (p < 0.001 for both groups). It is concluded that in view of the great overlapping in values between the groups, these tests can only be of limited use for diagnostic purposes.
Bordetella Pertussis Whole Cell Vaccines–Efficacy and Toxicity
Authors: TROLLFORS B.
Published: January 2008

The literature concerning efficacy and side effects of pertussis vaccines is reviewed. With few exceptions, most vaccines induce a protective immunity lasting for 2 to 5 years. The large‐scale use of pertussis vaccines has markedly contributed to the decrease in pertussis morbidity in small children but in some countries the incidence has increased in older children. Not even countries with immunisation rates of 90–95 % have managed to eradicate pertussis or prevent disease in infants below the age of immunisation. The pertussis‐associated mortality is currently very low in the industrialised countries and no differences can be discerned when countries with high, low and zero immunisation rates are compared. Local and benign systemic reactions are commonly seen after immunisation. The vaccines also sometimes cause convulsions, a shock‐like state and, rarely, serious neurological reactions.
PPD‐Induced Monocyte Chemotactic Factor Production by Human Milk Cells
Authors: KELLER M. , KIDD R. , REISINGER D. , STEWART D.
Published: January 2008

The functional capability of antigen‐stimulated breast milk cells to produce an immunologic mediator was examined. Colostrum and comparison peripheral blood samples were obtained from ten women, two to four days postpartum, and supernatants from PPD‐stimulated mononuclear cell cultures were assayed for the lymphokine, monocyte chemotactic factor. Five of the ten women studied had a history of a positive tuberculin skin test and one had received BCG immunization. Peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures and colostrum cell cultures from four of these six women produced monocyte chemotactic factor. These results demonstrated the functional capability of antigen‐stimulated colostra! cells to produce immunologic mediators.
The Human Milk Contents of Iron, Copper, Zinc, Calcium and Magnesium in a Population with a Habitually High Intake of Iron
Authors: FRANSSON GUN‐BRITT , GEBRE‐MEDHIN MEHARI , HAMBRAEUS LEIF
Published: January 2008

The contents of iron, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium were determined in human milk samples from 18 Ethiopian and 23 Swedish women. The Ethiopian women belonged to two groups with different socio‐economic situations, a non‐privileged and a privileged group. Both groups had an excessively high dietary iron intake–20 to 30 times that of the Swedish women–from the iron‐rich traditional diet. In spite of this, the mean concentrations of iron in the milk, as well as of zinc and magnesium, were similar in all three groups. The mean copper concentration, however, was significantly lower in the Ethiopian than in the Swedish milk samples, the lowest mean value occurring in the privileged group. In contrast, a significantly higher mean calcium concentration was found in milk samples from the Ethiopian women than from the Swedish, the highest mean concentration being noted in the non‐privileged group. The levels of minerals in breast milk showed no correlation to the birth weight of the infants or the length of gestation. Our data suggest that an excessively high dietary iron intake does not increase the breast milk content of iron in mothers with a good iron status. The reasons for the differences in the content of copper between the Ethiopian and Swedish milk samples are unclear. The higher calcium content in milk from the Ethiopian mothers, despite a low dietary calcium intake may be a result of an increased endogenous cholecalciferol synthesis due to greater exposure to sunshine.
Hemolytic‐uremic Syndrome: An Analysis of the Natural History and Prognostic Features
Authors: LOIRAT C. , SONSINO E. , MORENO A. VARGA , PILLION G. , MERCIER J. C. , BEAUFILS F. , MATHIEU H.
Published: January 2008

Sixty‐seven children with hemolytic‐uremic syndrome (HUS) were admitted between 1974 and 1981. Of these, 52 (78 %) were aged less than 3 years. All children had acute renal failure and 48 (72 %) required peritoneal dialysis. The etiology in twenty cases varied from bacterial and viral infections (7 and 5 cases, respectively) to renal irradiation with chemotherapy (2) and preexisting glomerulopathy (1). 5 (7 %) children died during the acute phase of the illness. Long‐term follow‐up (mean 3 years 3 months) of 56 cases showed that 37 children (60 %) had so far experienced no functional sequelae and 8 (13 %) only mild sequelae while 3 (5%) were on iterative hemodialysis, 3 had severe chronic renal failure and high blood pressure (HBP) and 5 (8 %) had HBP and normal kidney function. While the recovery rate was approximately 60 % in all age groups, the mortality rate and serious after‐effects were twice as frequent (42 %) in children over 3 years of age as in those less than 3. Renal histology (total of 37) showed 12 cases of cortical necrosis, 22 of glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and 3 arterial TMA. Prognosis was poor for all cases of arterial TMA and 58 % of those exhibiting cortical necrosis.
Influence of Variations in the Ambient Humidity on Insensible Water Loss and Thermoneutral Environment of Low Birth Weight Infants
Authors: SAUER PIETER J. J. , DANE HUIB J. , VISSER HENK K. A.
Published: January 2008

Total evaporative water loss, transepidermal as well as respiratory water loss was measured in 8 infants on day 1, 11 infants from day 2 to 8 and 8 infants after day 8. Measurements were performed at two levels of humidity, either vapor pressure of 16 or 25 mmHg (2133 or 3333 Pa). Evaporative water loss was 40 % lower at the higher humidity. Neither metabolic rate nor body temperature showed a significant difference between the two levels of humidity. The effect of the change in humidity on the neutral thermal environment was calculated, the neutral temperature being 0.05°C lower when the vapor pressure is increased by 1 mmHg (133.3 Pa). We conclude that a high humidity is of limited value in nursing infants born after 30–40 weeks
Frequent Myocardial Lesions in Shwachman's Syndrome
Authors: SAVILAHTI ERKKI , RAPOLA JUHANI
Published: January 2008

A total of 16 children with Shwachman's syndrome were studied over a period of 17 years. Eight cases were detected in autopsy at 6 to 15 months; all had died of cardiac failure due to myocardial lesions. The left ventricles showed necrosis of myofibres in large areas and the pancreas was atrophic and replaced by adipose tissue. The other eight patients included two siblings of deceased cases. Only one of these showed transient cardiac failure and no significant nutritional deficiences were found. They had steatorrhoea due to failure of the exocrine pancreas and either constant (6 cases) or cyclic (2 cases) neutropenia. The steatorrhoea improved with age. Pyogenic infections, mainly otitis media were frequent during the first three years of life. Measurements of humoral and cell‐mediated immunity were normal, but in addition to low numbers of neutrophils, the neutrophilic chemotaxis was depressed in all seven patients tested. Skin lesions, hepatic inflammation, and growth tended to improve with age. The family data of the patients is consistent with an autosomal recessive trait inheritance
The Silent Ductus Arteriosus in Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: ARCHER L. N. J. , GLASS E. J. , GODMAN M. J.
Published: January 2008

Among 425 pre‐term low birthweight babies who survived more than 48 hours there were 130 with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, 73 of whom received ventilation for their disease. The ductus arteriosus was considered patent by clinical criteria in 41 of these babies, all but 1 of whom had a murmur. Of the remaining 32 infants there were 2 babies only who died and both were found to have a patent ductus arteriosus which had not been detected clinically. Another baby died whilst being ventilated for idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome and although autopsy information is not available it seems likely that factors other than a patent ductus arteriosus caused death. The mean age of murmur detection in those ventilated infants considered to have a patent ductus arteriosus was 6 days (range 2–19). Infants without a murmur or other features of a ductus arteriosus did not require to be ventilated beyond day 7 with the exception of the 2 fatalities already mentioned. Thus, relying on clinical criteria and particularly on the presence of a murmur, if sought often, rarely results in missing or seriously delaying the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus in babies with severe idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome
Serum Gliadin Antibodies for Detection and Control of Childhood Coeliac Disease
Authors: STENHAMMAR L. , KILANDER A. F. , NILSSON L.‐A. , STROMBERG L. , TARKOWSKI A.
Published: January 2008

Serum gliadin antibodies of the IgA and IgG isotypes were determined by means of the diffusion‐in‐gel enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (DIG‐ELISA) in children during different phases of coeliac disease. Fourteen children were studied before onset of dietary treatment, 16 during a period of gluten‐free diet and 16 during gluten challenge. The control groups consisted of 44 children with other gastrointestinal diseases and 14 children without gastrointestinal disorders. All of the children studied had been subjected to small‐intestinal biopsy. On the basis of the results obtained in this study the diagnostic sensitivity with regard to untreated coeliac disease was found to be 100 % and the diagnostic specificity 97 %. In 10 coeliac children followed during the phases of diagnostic evaluation antibody levels decreased in all during dietary treatment and increased in 8 during a subsequent gluten challenge. It is suggested that determination of IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies by means of DIG‐ELISA may be used as a diagnostic test for coeliac disease in children and that this test may be useful in monitoring the dietary treatment in children with known coeliac disease. Moreover, the DIG‐ELISA is an inexpensive and technically simple method
Oxandrolone in Girls with Turner's Syndrome
Authors: JOSS E. , ZUPPINGER K.
Published: January 2008

Twenty‐six one‐year treatment periods on oxandrolone (0.1 mg/kg/day) were studied in 20 patients with Turner's syndrome. Control patients with Turner's syndrome were matched by using the following criteria: difference in bone age being not greater than 0.S years and difference in the Bayley‐Pinneau height prediction not greater than 3 cm. Height and height velocity were compared with standards of girls with Turner's syndrome (10) and expressed in standard deviation scores (SDS). On oxandrolone height velocity increased significantly from −0.3 SDS to +3.0 SDS. The increase in height velocity was negatively correlated to the bone age at onset of treatment (r= 0.62, p<0.01). Height SDS improved by 0.45 SDS in the treated patients whereas it did not change in the control patients. The bone age velocity during the treatment period (including a six‐month period after treatment) was 0.75 year/year in the treated, compared to 0.66 year/year in the control patients (NS). 15 of the 20 patients have reached final height. The difference in final height minus predicted height (Bayley‐Pinneau) at onset of treatment was taken as a measure of “gain in final height”. Seven of those (mean bone age 12.1 years at onset of treatment) were treated for one year only and had–compared to the matched controls–a mean net gain in final height of 2.5 cm (NS). Eight patients (mean bone age 10.1 years at onset of treatment) were treated for two one‐year periods and had a significant mean net gain in final height of 5.2 cm. Height predictions calculated by the method of Lenko (14) gave an identical mean net gain in final height (5.1 cm)
Insulin Resistance in an Infant with Leprechaunism
Authors: KASHIWA H. , KAWAGUCHI S. , TAKEDA M. , KOBAYASHI M. , OMORI Y. , ETO R.
Published: January 2008

A Japanese female infant with typical features of leprechaunism exhibited glucose intolerance despite marked hyperinsulinemia, indicating insulin resistance. Circulating insulin appeared to be chemically and biologically norma). There was no evidence of antagonism of insulin action or circulating antibodies to insulin or insulin receptors. Insulin receptor assay of her erythrocytes showed very low affinity despite a six‐fold increase in the number of receptors as compared with those of normal adult controls. Our studies indicate that insulin resistance in this patient appears to be due to a qualitative abnormality of insulin receptors or to a postreceptor defect
Plasma and Urine Osmolality in Full‐term and Pre‐term Infants
Authors: SUJOV P. , KELLERMAN L. , ZELTZER M. , HOCHBERG Z.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The purpose of the present study was to determine the normal relationship of urine and plasma osmolality in pre‐term and full‐term infants. Twenty‐nine full‐term and 35 pre‐term babies were studied during the first week of life. Random simultaneous urine and plasma samples were measured for osmolality. Statistical analysis defined the normal relationship of plasma to urine osmolality. This suggests an osmotic threshold of 282 mOsm/kg and 291 mOsm/kg for full‐term and pre‐term babies, respectively. These values are different from the 285–290 mOsm/kg of adolescents and adults. The nomograms provided may serve as a useful aid in the bedside diagnosis of dysfunctional secretion of vasopressin.
Hypergonadotropic Hypogonadism in Newborn Males with Primary Testicular Failure
Authors: DUNKEL L. , PERHEENTUPA J. , TAPANAINEN J. , VIHKO R.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Four infants with genital ambiguity but with apparent testes were given a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) test and a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test at age 3–12 days. The results were compared with those from 16 newborn males (aged 2 to 6 days) with minor genital anomalies; 9 with unilateral and 3 with bilateral incomplete testicular descent, 2 with surgically insignificant glandular hypospadias and 2 with penis length <(x̄‐2 SD) for gestational age. Treatment with testosterone resulted in clear phallus growth in all four patients. All four patients had elevated basal luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations as well as an exaggerated LH response to GnRH; three of them also had an exaggerated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) response. Thus in all patients the etiology of genital ambiguity was considered to be testicular. The testosterone response to hCG was normal in two of the patients but impaired in the other two. The steroidogenic response did not show any specific enzyme defect. We conclude that 1) newborn boys with Leydig cell failure are clearly hypergonadotropic, 2) the GnRH test is a more sensitive indicator of Leydig cell failure neonatally than the hCG test and 3) normal testes greatly inhibit the secretion of both LH and FSH during the first week of life.
Longitudinal Study of Calcium Metabolism in Male Puberty
Authors: KRABBE S. , CHRISTIANSEN C.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. With the purpose of studying calcium metabolism at the growth spurt phase in puberty, bone mineral content (BMC) of the forearm, and serum concentrations of total alkaline phosphatase, phosphate, and calcium were determined in 36 boys every three months for about 2 years. BMC increased 35 % throughout the study age period of 10.6 to 14.6 years, with a maximal rate between 12.8 and 13.8 years. In relation to growth velocity BMC rose steepest during the 12 months around peak height velocity (PHV) (p<0.001) and showed a progressive increase from 3 months before the first pubic hair stage (PH2) to PH4 (p<0.001). Serum alkaline phosphatase increased by a total of 55 % throughout the age period with a diminished rate of increase from 13.5 to 14 years, around the PHV, and from PH3 to PH4.
Breast‐feeding, Bottle‐feeding and Related Factors
Authors: FLORACK E. , BOER G. OBERMANN‐DE , KAMPEN‐DONKER M. VAN , WINGEN J. VAN , KROMHOUT D.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Infant feeding practices and related factors were studied in a survey of 189 mothers of 4‐month‐old infants in 1980 and of 151 mothers of 6‐month‐old infants in 1982. In both groups about 70 % of the mothers commenced with breast‐feeding. In 1980, 21 % of the infants were still being breast‐fed at the age of 4 months, compared with 32 % in 1982. 26 % of the infants were still being breast‐fed at the age of 6 months. The most frequently mentioned reason for not commencing with or discontinuing breast‐feeding was ‘insufficient milk’. Univariate analyses showed that the educational level of the mother and her smoking habits were significantly related to both the commencement and the duration of breast‐feeding in 1980 and 1982. These results were confirmed by multivariate analyses which suggest that well educated, non‐smoking mothers are the most successful in breast‐feeding their infants.
Breast‐milk Antimicrobial Factors of Rural Gambian Mothers: Influence of Stage of Lactation and Maternal Plane of Nutrition
Authors: PRENTICE A. , PRENTICE A. M. , COLE T. J. , PAUL A. A. , WHITEHEAD R. G.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4, lactoferrin, lysozyme and secretory component in the mature breast milk of 152 rural Gambian mothers were measured up to 26 months lactation. The concentrations and daily secretion of all the immunoproteins, except lysozyme, decreased during the first year of lactation, but were well maintained thereafter. The production of lysozyme increased progressively throughout lactation. Compared with 10 mothers in Cambridge, U.K., the daily secretion of IgG, IgM, C3 and C4 was higher in The Gambia, that of IgA and lactoferrin was similar in the two communities, and that of lysozyme and secretory component was lower in The Gambia. A dietary supplement given to 90 Gambian mothers, raised the mean daily energy intake from a maximum of 1650 kcal/day and a hungry‐season minimum of 1200 kcal/day to 2300 kcal/day throughout the study. The supplement did not enhance the production of breast milk immunoproteins.
Blood‐pressures in Offspring of Hypertensive Parents
Authors: IBSEN K. KAAS
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The blood‐pressures in a material of 59 children aged 6–17 years and 49 adults aged 18–37 years, all of whom had one parent with essential hypertension were compared with control materials. Despite the facts that all of these had one parent with essential hypertension and 2/3 had, in addition, at least one grandparent with essential hypertension, the blood‐pressures in the age‐group 6–17 years did not differ from the control population. This held true also for the pulse, obesity index, weight and HDL/total cholesterol. In the age‐group 18–37 years, 22 % had diastolic blood‐pressures of over the 95 % control percentile. In the group of men as a whole, the diastolic blood‐pressure (phase 4) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than in the control population while no difference in the systolic blood‐pressure was found. It is concluded that it does not appear to be necessary to control the blood‐pressure in children under the age of 18 years with one hypertensive parent more frequently than in other children, while there may be good reasons for controlling the blood‐pressure in young adults over 18 years if one of the parents has hypertension.
Septic Shock and Hyperthermia as Possible Teratogenic Factors
Authors: IVARSSON S. A. , HENRIKSSON P.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. An infant with arthrogryposis and mental retardation is presented. The mother had a septic shock with hyperthermia in the 20th gestational week. The possible relationship between these events is discussed.
NON‐IgE‐MEDIATED ASTHMA IN CHILDREN
Authors: ØSTERGAARD P. AA.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. Among 586 children with asthma, 484 (82 %) were found to have IgE‐mediated (“extrinsic”) asthma, and seventy‐two (12 %) non‐IgE (“intrinsic”) asthma. The remaining 30 patients (6%) were classified as “intermediate”, as they had serum IgE within or above serum IgE levels of healthy children but no allergy to common allergens. During a three‐year study period, the seventy‐two patients with intrinsic asthma as opposed to 84 patients with extrinsic asthma had significantly 1) more hyperinflation of the lungs, 2) more episodes of acute hospital admissions due to asthma and/or pneumonia, 3) more elevated serum IgG and IgM, and 4) more cultures from secretions of lower airways of Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococci. Further, although treated with corticosteroids, eleven of the children with intrinsic asthma showed progressive disease, judged from fixed and/or declining forced vital capacity followed by signs of lung fibrosis on repeated pulmonary X‐rays. It is emphasized that children with intrinsic asthma may represent an entity of childhood asthma, in some cases with severe progression of disease within a few years.
Management of Pituitary Gigantism
Authors: RITZÉN E. M. , WETTRELL G. , DAVIES G. , GRANT D. B.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. True gigantism with overproduction of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) was diagnosed in two boys, aged 13 years (case I) and 7 ½ years (case II). Both had shown increased growth rates since early childhood (from 4 years and 1 ½ years, respectively), but no skeletal acromegalic features were noted. However, both showed increased sweating and both had advanced pubic hair relative to testis volume. No other pituitary dysfunction was recorded. Case I underwent transsphenoidal surgery with only incomplete and temporary suppression of GH and PRL levels. However, in both patients bromocriptine administration promptly suppressed PRL levels. Following combined irradiation and bromocriptine treatment, GH also gradually normalized over a period of 2 years. Both boys are still on treatment, and both showed an increase in plasma GH concentrations when the dose of bromocriptine was reduced or discontinued, indicating that even 3 V2‐5 years after irradiation therapy (and during continuous treatment with bromocriptine) the disease was controlled but not cured. However, in these two boys bromocriptine has proved effective in controlling the PRL/GH oversecretion.
Psychological Consequences of Neonatal Screening for α1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (ATD)
Authors: THELIN T. , McNEIL T. F. , ASPEGREN‐JANSSON E. , SVEGER T.
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACT. The parents of 61 children with ATD typically attended repeated doctor's appointments concerning the child's ATD during the first years of life. Many (30‐40 %) of the parents felt somewhat relieved about the ATD after the first appointment. Parental attitudes toward the appointments varied considerably within the sample, being related to the physician's reported knowledgeability‐understandability regarding ATD and emotional supportiveness (toward mothers). Most parents were positive and few were negative toward the child's ATD having been identified at this age. Repeated blood tests for the child's liver function were experienced negatively by most parents. The parents’recommendations concerning screening and follow‐up of ATD in children are presented.