bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyhydramnios, congenital malformations, and intrauterine detection
Authors: Nadler Henry L. 
Published: December 2021

Polyhydramnios is a common clinical problem occurring in approximately 1% to 2% of all pregnancies. In most instances, it presents as a chronic disorder with excessive amounts of amniotic fluid accumulating over many weeks; however, in some cases it may be of acute onset, resulting in severe abdominal pain and dyspnea. Acute polyhydramnios is frequently associated with uniovular multiple pregnancies.
Polyhydramnios may be associated with a number of maternal and fetal disorders, and in a significant percentage of cases is followed by fetal or neonatal death. Although the relative frequencies vary in reported series, polyhydramnios most commonly appears to be related to multiple pregnancies, maternal diabetes mellitus, or congenital malformations or is idiopathic, i.e., mother and fetus are presumably normal.
PERSPECTIVES IN PEDIATRIC PATHOLOGY. Edited by H. S. Rosenberg, M.D., and R. P. Bolande, M.D. Chicago, Year Book Medical Publishers; vol. I: 1973, $27.50, 406 pp; vol. II: 1975, $27.50, 318 pp
Authors: Ruckman Roger N. 
Published: December 2021

Perspectives in Pediatric Pathology is a new periodical designed to fill the void "between individual studies published in a monthly journal and the necessarily concise and frequently dated material in the texts." Its content, edited by a distinguished board of pediatric pathologists, is aimed at a broad audience of pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, radiologists, obstetricians, perinatologists, and pathologists. Each volume consists of nine or ten chapters, written by authorities in the field. Each review serves to synthesize and clarify the pathogenesis of recognized pediatric diseases and, in addition, helps define evolving knowledge. Volume I offers reviews in the areas of immunology and infectious disease (the phagocytic system, postsplenectomy sepsis, and intrauterine rubella), nephrology (hereditary disorders of the kidney, childhood nephritis), developmental defects (tracheobronchial anomalies, coarctation of the aorta), oncology (mesoblastic nephroma), and laboratory methods (electron microscopy). There is also a thorough review of the histiocytosis syndromes. The second volume includes material from the areas of perinatology (hyaline membrane disease, placental pathology), neurology (leukodystrophy), oncology (peripheral neuroectodermal tumors), immunology and infectious disease (DiGeorge's syndrome), and developmental defects (Hirschsprung's disease). In addition, the unique problems of sudden infant death syndrome and cystic fibrosis are discussed.
Each of the chapters provides helpful photographs of gross and microscopic material. Clinicopathologic correlations are made effectively and major points are summarized at the end of most of the articles. The reviews and their excellent bibliographies provide a balanced emphasis on laboratory investigation and clinical studies. Where applicable, the importance of tissue sampling to patient management is also discussed.
CHANGING
Authors: Milio N. 
Published: December 2021

It is a paradox that health professionals, in their efforts to improve people's health-related practices, seem to expect more of the ordinary consumer than they do of themselves. Almost all patient and consumer health education assumes, explicitly, that if people know what is most healthful, they will do it.
Perhaps the most obvious test of this assumption is to look at health professionals themselves. If knowing what is health-generating were directly related to doing, then surely we in the health field would be among the most robust in the nation, slim, agile, nonsmoking, temperate eaters of complementary protein, low fat and cholesterol, low-sucrose, and nonrefined carbohydrate foods, avoiders of drugging levels of alcohol and other artificial moodchangers, evenly paced in our daily patterns. This picture is obviously nonexistent. Nor do we expect it to exist. Most will recognize that it is not much more likely for a physician earning $85,000 a year to change his life pattern than for a $6,000-a-year hospital aide to do so. However, the potential for lifestyle change, the array of options available to these two individuals, may differ considerably.
Physician uncertainty, specialty ideology, and a second opinion prior to tonsillectomy
Authors: Wennberg John E. 
Published: December 2021

For half a century, the tonsil has been the target of a large-scale, uncontrolled surgical experiment-tonsillectomy. In the fourth and fifth decades of this century, well over 50% of children appear to have undergone the procedure; since World War II, opinion has swung away from mass use and by 1973 about 25% of children appear to have been affected.
Pediatricians have been the weathermen in the change of clinical climate, pressing for reduction in use of tonsillectomy in their journal articles. Among a sample of California physicians, the offspring of pediatricians underwent fewer tonsillectomies than the children of other types of physicians.
Varicella Vendetta: Plotkin's Plug
Authors: Plotkin Stanley A. 
Published: December 2021

In the January 1977 issue there were two articles by Asano et al. concerning a Japanese live vaccine against varicella. Preceding the articles was a commentary by Philip Brunell denouncing the studies described. Although my friend Dr. Brunell and I have already presented opposing views on this subject in a previous issue of Pediatrics, I think fairness requires that your readers hear the other side once again.
Somewhere Montaigne wrote that the three stages of scientists' reactions to a new fact are first that it's not true, second that it's true but not important, and third that it's important but obvious.
The Costs of a Blood Culture
Authors: Feinberg Arthur N. 
Published: December 2021

As a pediatric practitioner, I approach every article on bacteremia in the outpatient setting with high hopes that this presentation will solve all my problems in this area.
In the welter of data presented by McCarthy et al. (Pediatrics 57:861, June 1976), I was most dismayed by the cost of proper identification of organisms. The figure of $6.40 per blood culture presumably refers to the cost to the hospital for bottles bought in large volume.
Questions About Hyperkinesis Study
Authors: Axelrod Penny , Haller Jerome S. 
Published: December 2021

We are concerned with the findings and implications of the article by Huessy and Cohen (Pediatrics 57:4, January 1976).
The authors designated students in their study as "hyperkinetic" based on a questionnaire completed by teachers. It assessed the "social maturity, neuromuscular development, academic performance, and general attitude and behavior." They validate their use of this questionnaire by citing its high correlation (.77) with a research instrument used by Conners.1 Conners finds, however, that his rating instrument measures primarily aggressive, disturbing behavior and is only "somewhat correlated with another factor which measures hyperactivity."
Cigarette Smoking and the Fetus and Child
Authors: Dunn Henry G. , McBurney Annetta K. 
Published: December 2021

The authoritative statement on the "Effects of Cigarette-Smoking on the Fetus and Child" (Pediatrics 57:411, March 1976) is an excellent summary but necessarily brief. With respect to the later growth and development of the children, the statement quotes only one study, which demonstrated no long-term effects of maternal smoking on physical growth and intellectual development through the first seven years of life. We believe that such effects may indeed be demonstrable though slight.
In the quoted study, Hardy and Mellits1 established 88 pairs of children of matched smoking and nonsmoking mothers.
The Smog Syndrome
Authors: Grossman A. M. 
Published: December 2021

The fine article by Driscoll et al. on chest pain in children (Pediatrics 57:648, May 1976) failed to mention one of the most common causes of chest pain seen especially in southern California.
The "smog syndrome" consists of conjunctivitis, rhinitis, retrosternal pain, and cough. Most of the patients examined have only the pain on inspiration, and about 50% complain of both inspiratory and expiratory pain on days the ozone level in the atmosphere is 0.35 ppm and the temperature is above 32.2 C (90 F) while the relative humidity is below 40% and the wind current is less than 9.6 km/hr (6 mph).
Questions on Ambulatory Bacteremia
Authors: O'Shea John S. 
Published: December 2021

Although it has long been appreciated that hospitalized children found with bacteremia fairly frequently have life-threatening infections,1 there has been a recent fascinating but perplexing emphasis on bacteremia in ambulatory children. Febrile children brought to pediatric outpatient areas of some large New England hospitals appear to have a small but definite incidence of bacteremia especially if they are infants with leukocytosis.2-4 Some of these children still have bacteremia when cultured a second time several days after the first visit, and occasionally life-threatening or even fatal infections develop.
See table in the PDF file
Prenatal Hair Growth
Authors: Baum David 
Published: December 2021

I read with interest the article by Saadat et al. entitled "Measurements of Hair in Normal Newborns" (Pediatrics 57:960, June 1976). May I, through the courtesy of your columns, draw the authors' attention to the study which we published in 1974 entitled "Neonatal Hair as a Record of Intrauterine Nutrition."1 In this study, using the scanning electron microscope, we measured scalp hair diameters serially from the hair root to the tip.
We studied three groups of infants, a well-grown group of term infants; a group of very-small-for-dates term infants; and a group of preterm infants.
Suggests More Tests for Chest Pain Diagnosis
Authors: Elmore Michael F. , Lehman Glen A. 
Published: December 2021

Driscoll et al. (Pediatrics 57:648, May 1976) reported a series of 43 patients with chest pain evaluated by history and physical examination, psychiatric interview, screening laboratory studies, ECG, and chest x-ray film. No organic cause was identified in 45% of patients, and various psychiatric aspects of the pain were discussed.
The history obtained from pediatric patients is often suboptimal, and specific pain characteristics and associations cannot be defined. We therefore propose that more vigorous diagnostic work-ups are necessary before chest pain can be classed as "idiopathic."
The History of Research on RLF
Authors: White Colin 
Published: December 2021

The Committee on Fetus and Newborn has given a thorough account of the history of research on the etiology of retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) (Pediatrics 57(suppl), April 1976), but there are characteristics of this research program as a whole, and of the report, which are worthy of further comment.
1. Anyone who followed the work of Patz and his colleagues should have recognized by the end of 1953 that overuse of oxygen was the chief etiological factor in the disease.
In Reply: A Different Position on Postural Drainage
Authors: Kosloske Ann M. 
Published: December 2021

Dr. Kravath is absolutely correct in pointing out our error. The affected lobes are placed in a nondependent (or antidependent) position during the treatment. We employ positioning of the patient as outlined in the Guide to Diagnosis and Management of Cystic Fibrosis.1
Probably Dr. Kravath's thoughts on antimatter were inspired by the 12 children in our series from whom the foreign body was not retrieved yet who recovered. Was the foreign body annihilated? Could be.
DES Effect on Males
Authors: Rosenfield Robert L. , Gill William B. , Bibbo Marluce 
Published: December 2021

We have found defects in the urogenital tract of males exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero, but the anomalies are different than those expected from the data of Henderson and co-workers (Pediatrics 58:505, October 1976). They reported an increased incidence of suspected urethral stenosis in boys exposed to DES. Their conclusion was drawn from the response of 225 DES-exposed males to a questionnaire.
We have thoroughly examined 163 DES-exposed males and found a significantly increased incidence of oligospermia, hypotrophic testes, low ejaculate volumes, epididymal cysts, and microphallus.1
THOMAS WILLIS ON THE TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY (1667)
Authors: C. T. E. 
Published: December 2021

Although Thomas Willis (1621-1675) was not specially devoted to diseases of children, his writings occasionally contained items relating to this subject that were sufficiently important to be quoted by subsequent writers on pediatrics. This is how Willis viewed the preventive and therapeutic management of epilepsy.
A Man in this Neighborhood, had all his Children dead of Convulsions, within three months after they were born. At length, to prevent the same Fate in a Son of his that was new-born, he thought proper to try the Power of Medicine. I was called to him a few days after the Birth, and ordered an Issue in the first Place to be made in his Neck, and that two Ounces of Blood should be drawn next Day at the Neck, by the Application of Leeches. I advised besides, that for three Days before each Change of the Moon, and again before the Full, about five Grains of the following Powder should be given him Morning and Evening in a Spoonful of the Julap.
Take prepared Human Skull, the Root of Male-Peony, of each one Drachm. Pearls in Powder, half a Drachm. Mix them all together, and make a very fine Powder.
Take of Black Cherry-Water, three Ounces. The Antepileptick Water of Langius, and Ounce. Syrup of the Flowers of Male-Peony, six Drachms.
I likewise ordered the Nurse to take a Draught of Whey, in which the Roots and Seeds of Male-Peony, and the Leaves of Lilly of the Valley had been boiled, twice every Day at the same Hours.
COMMUNICATION
Authors:   Student
Published: December 2021

Here is . . . part of a message a Houston high school principal recently sent to the parent of a pupil:
"Our school's cross-graded multi-ethnic, individualized learning program is designed to enhance the concept of an open-ended learning program with emphasis on a continuum of multi-ethnic, academically enriched learning using the identified intellectually gifted child as the agent or director of his own learning.
"Major emphasis is on cross-graded, multi-ethnic learning with the main objective being to learn respect for the uniqueness of a person."
The parent wrote back.
"I have a college degree, speak two foreign languages and four Indian dialects, have been to a number of county fairs and three goat ropings, but I haven't th Submitted by Studente faintest idea as to what the hell you are talking about. Do you?"
INTRAVENOUS CANNULATION-PLASTIC CATHETERS OR SCALP VEIN NEEDLES
Authors: Goldmann Donald A. , H. R. J. 
Published: December 2021

Although there are no adequate studies comparing the incidence of complications with plastic catheters versus scalp vein needles, a review of the available literature does permit certain general observations. The use of plastic catheters is accompanied by a high rate of phlebitis, catheter colonization and sepsis. In most studies the rate of these complications increased with the length of time catheters were left in place; when catheters were left in longer than 48 hours, the associated septicemia rate ranged between 2% and 5%. In contrast, only one case of cannula-related septicemia was noted among 535 patients receiving intravenous therapy via scalp vein needles in 4 studies. Moreover, rates of phlebitis and cannula colonization are lower with scalp vein needles than with plastic catheters. Suppurative thrombophlebitis has recently been reported in association with IV therapy via scalp vein needles. In other words, serious infections may be rare, but they do occur, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. The factors responsible for the relative safety of scalp vein needles are unknown; it has been suggested that needles are safer because they tend to infiltrate quickly, forcing changes at frequent intervals. The small teflon catheters now available may be less irritating than previously marketed plastic catheters.
Present information strongly suggests that scalp vein needles should be used for intravenous therapy whenever possible. If the cannula is to be used only for the periodic administration of medications such as antibiotics, a heparin lock is preferred to a "keep open" infusion since intravenous fluid supports the growth of bacteria and thus increases the risk of intravenous-related sepsis. Plastic catheters should be used when a child's life may depend on the reliability of the intravenous cannula as a route for the rapid administration of medications. Both scalp vein needles and plastic catheters should be changed every 48-72 hours.
A NOVEL IRISH CURE FOR WHOOPING COUGH AND CHICKEN POX (1898)
Authors: C. T. E. 
Published: December 2021

No disease has had as many supposed cures as whooping cough. The following Irish cure is surely a novel one. I have not been able to discover whether or not it proved effective.
There are many curious customs and superstitions existing even in this enlightened age, and among the most peculiar are some practised by the peasants of Ireland for the cure of various complaints. In certain districts of that country whooping-cough is treated in quite a unique manner. A few months ago much amusement was caused by a case which came before the Coroner's Court in Belfast, in which whooping-cough was treated in a child by passing the sufferer three times under a donkey. Mr. W. R. Le Fann, in his amusing book on Irish life, relates several other instances of a like nature, and draws attention to the fact that nearly all the most popular remedies are for the relief of whooping-cough or chicken-pox. Some donkeys are believed to be possessed of curative virtues in a much higher degree than are others. A man living in County Cork owned an animal which could boast of more than a local reputation. This man used to lead his donkey through the streets of the City of Cork, crying out: "Will any one come under my ass for the chin-cough?" [A name given to whooping-cough in the rural parts of Ireland.] In County Down the charms in vogue were more various. Two kinds of food obtained from two first cousins who are married, and soup made from the tails of mice is there regarded as a panacea for chicken-pox.
AN EARLY CASE REPORT OF INFANTILE DEHYDRATION IN COLONIAL AMERICA (1663)
Authors: Pynchon John 
Published: December 2021

In colonial America the outstanding members of the governing class who were acknowledged as physicians were the two John Winthrops, father and son. John Winthrop, Jr. (1606-1676), Governor of Connecticut, far surpassed his father in the extent of his medical activities. His medical advice was sought, usually by letter, by hundreds of people. Typical of the letters he received is the one below, sent to him by John Pynchon concerning his daughter's illness. I believe this is the first case report of dehydration in American medical literature and, to my knowledge, has never been published.
Much Honored Sir-
We are bold to crave your advice concerning our young daughter about or neere one yeare & three quarters old. God having pleased to visit her with Illness. She hath not bin welt these 3 or 4 days, but especially yesterday morning was taken with a greate looseness & vomiting which doth continue much & exceedingly weakens her. Shee is very restless & unquiet & sleepes litle & is exceding dry craving for drink: how the Lord may deale with her & us we know not, but desire in the use of meanes to submit to his good pleasure: desiring your helpfullness in what you conceive needfull. I comend you & your affaires to the guidance of God & humbly take leave to subscribe.
THE REVEREND COTTON MATHER'S DESCRIPTION OF MEASLES (1713)
Authors: C. T. E. 
Published: December 2021

It may surprise the contemporary physician that Cotton Mather (1663-1728) may well be "the first significant figure in American medicine."1 During the most widespread and most alarming of the colonial epidemics of measles that began in the late summer of 1713, Mather published a short letter on the medical aspects of the disease, which, although written for the benefit of the poor, happens to be a classic of American pediatrics and compares favorably with any description of measles written on the continent.2 Mather wrote3:
The Measles are a Distemper which in Europe ordinarily proves a light Malady; but in these parts of America it proves a very heavy Calamity; A Malady Grievous to most, Mortal to many, and leaving pernicious Relicks behind it in All. Because the Sickness is now spreading in all Parts; and its Malignity increases, as the Winter advances, and Good Physicians are not every where at Hand, for the Relief of the Sick, and a very nice Management of the Case is very requisite: You are now addressed with a short Letter of Advice concerning it . . .
The Usual Symptoms of an Arrest from the Measles are, an Head-ake; on Troubles in the Eyes; a Dry Cough; an Oppression on the Breast or Stomach; or a pain there, and in the Back and Limbs; and sometimes a Faintness, with Sickness, perhaps Vomiting, on Griping and Purging; A Thirst, with a constant Fever, which is mild at first, but grows high enough before it has done . . .
DR. ZABDIEL BOYLSTON DESCRIBES THE MELANCHOLY SIGHT OF MR. DORR'S FAMILY FOLLOWING SMALLPOX INOCULATION DURING THE EPIDEMIC OF 1721 IN BOSTON
Authors: C. T. E. 
Published: December 2021

Zabdiel Boylston's (1680-1766) role in attempting to stem the severe epidemic of smallpox of 1721-1722 in Boston by introducing inoculation is well known. But less well known is how inoculation affected many of those who underwent this procedure. Boylston's vivid description of the postinoculation woes of one Boston family follows.
[November 29, 1721]
I inoculated Mr. Edward Dorr's other three children, one of 9, and one of 7 years, and the other about 18 months old, his Servant Man 20, and Indian Girl about 17 Years old [Mr. Dorr 35, and three of his children, one 11, one 5, and one three Years old had previously been inoculated on November 24, 1721]. Mr. Dorr would have had these five inoculated when he and the three Children were, but I refus'd to do it then. But for the Convenience of nursing and having one Nurse only for them all, they were put into one Chamber, and for better Stowage, two or three in one Bed, (the End of the Chamber being partition'd off for a private Lodging, in which was laid the Indian Girl) and by the time the first three were broken out a Day or two, the other five began their Sickness. Here was a melancholy Sight indeed! I had often three or four, but never nine in a Room together; the poor Children, with their Sickness and the Winter's Cold, prov'd froward, one crying, another coughing; one wanted Drink, another to do its Needs; one to get up, another to go to Bed, and so on; so that together with opening and shutting the Doors, the gigling [sic] of the Warming-pan, Fire-shovel and Tongs, there was scarce a Minute in the 24 Hours that all was still and quiet.
Who Should Have a CAT Scan?
Authors: Fisher Julian H. 
Published: December 2021

While the utility and ease of diagnosis by computerized axial tomography (CAT) continue to be demonstrated in new situations, as in the evaluation of chronic seizure disorders by Bachman et al. (Pediatrics 58:828, December 1976), the logistics and availability of this now invaluable tool are such in many centers that there must be priorities set for its use.
Thus, the CAT might more profitably be used in the evaluation of patients whose patterns of chronic seizure disorders have changed, with the thought that the yield in terms of treatable pathology might be higher than the 2% reported by Bachman et al. in static seizure disorders.