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Biomedical subjects

A F Malan

Publications and source records attributed to A F Malan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Rheumatoid factor in congenital syphilis.

The rheumatoid factor (RF) latex test was evaluated as a test for congenital syphilis. High risk newborns of mothers with untreated or inadequately treated syphilis were studied. The asymptomatic infants were followed up for between 3 and 4 months (or longer if the VDRL test was positive). The overall performance of the RF latex test was better than that of the other tests studied, even though the sensitivity was 46.7%. The specificity and positive predictive value of the test were 100% whilst the negative predictive value was 86.4%. The test was negative in all 84 controls studied. Although a negative RF latex test cannot be used to exclude congenital syphilis in an asymptomatic infant, a positive test in the presence of maternal syphilis should lead one to strongly suspect congenital syphilis.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Amniotic fluid infection syndrome in private and non-private patients.

The incidence of placental histological evidence of amniotic fluid infection syndrome (AFIS) was studied in two groups of patients delivered at term. One group received private medical care during pregnancy, while the other patients were delivered at a midwife obstetric unit. There was no significant difference in histological evidence of AFIS in the private patient (22%) and non-private patient (28%) groups.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1986

The electro-encephalogram in the term neonate. Case reports.

The use of a portable electro-encephalographic (EEG) recorder has proved to be a very useful additional investigation in the neonatal intensive care unit. The normal EEG patterns in term infants are easily recognizable. Inactive or burst/suppression (paroxysmal) recordings during the first week of life signify a poor prognosis.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1986

Health care of preterm infants in the first year of life.

The home environment of preterm infants and their use of health services after discharge from hospital were investigated. Of the mothers of preterm infants studied 49% were not educated beyond primary school level, 38% were unmarried and 20% of these families had marked social problems, and 56% lived in grossly overcrowded conditions. Only the extent of unmarried motherhood and marked social problems were greater in preterm infants than in a control group of term infants. Attendance at primary care services for illness was no different for the preterm and term groups, although hospital admissions were most frequent in the preterm infants. Three preterm infants died in the first year. Only 65% of preterm infants and 55% of controls had completed weight charts on their preschool record card at 12 months of age. Three preterm and 2 control infants had not been fully immunized. In spite of poor social circumstances, the use of health services by the mothers of preterm infants was most encouraging.

Educational Status↗
PubMed1983

Complement activity in the cord blood of term neonates with the amniotic fluid infection syndrome.

Cord blood samples from 11 term neonates whose placentas showed histological changes typical of the amniotic fluid infection syndrome were analysed in order to determine haemolytic activity of the classic and alternative complement pathways and serum levels of complement proteins and immunoglobulins. Although the mean values of all these parameters were higher in this group than in an age-related control group, only classic haemolytic pathway activity was significantly elevated (P less than 0,025).

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1982

Placental size of small-for-gestational-age infants at term.

Placental size was compared between appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) and small-for gestational age (SGA) infants born at term. Placental weight, chorionic plate area and villous surface area were significantly reduced in the SGA infants. Although the ratio of placental weight to birth was similar in the AGA and SGA infants, the latter had significantly underweight placentas for their head circumference and crown-heel length. The ratios of placental weight to assessed brain weight and villous surface area to assessed brain weight were also significantly reduced in the SGA infants. It is concluded that the study SGA infants had both absolutely and relatively small placentas.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1982

Hairy ears.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Ear, External↗
PubMed1981

Size at birth of infants born at term to coloured primiparas in Cape Town.

An in-depth study was made on the size and body proportions of infants born at term to Coloured primiparas in Cape Town. The infants were lighter and shorter than has been found in most comparative studies, but had some sparing of head growth with normal weight/length proportions. This report provides a standard which will facilitate further studies of fetal growth determinants in this community.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1981

The selection of patients at the Groote Schuur Maternity Hospital.

The Peninsula Maternity and Neonatal Service (PMNS) was established on 1 January 1980 as a result of the regionalization of obstetric and neonatal services in the Cape Peninsula. Some 20000 deliveries per annum occur in the 5 maternity hospitals and 3 Midwife Obstetric Units (MOUs) under the aegis of the PMNS. As part of the reorganization of the service the booking and referral criteria have been revised, taking into account the function of the Groote Schuur Hospital Maternity Block as the high-risk unit. The concept of risk in perinatology is discussed. The booking and referral criteria are detailed under the headings of booking criteria for hospital and for MOUs and referral criteria from the MOU to hospital -- antenatally, in labour, in the puerperium and for neonatal problems.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1981

Maternal nutrition and the duration of pregnancy.

Maternal weight assessed at the start of the last trimester was found to be a determinant of the duration of pregnancy in 1022 women. It is suggested that maternal nutrition influences birth weight by altering both the rate of intra-uterine growth and the gestational period.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1980

Intra-uterine growth in infants of diabetic mothers.

The birth weight, length, head circumference and body proportions of infants born to women with well-controlled diabetes were compared with those of infants born to poorly controlled diabetics. The latter infants were significantly heavier, with a greater weight/length ratio and a smaller head circumference/weight ratio, while their length, and head circumference/length ratio were appropriate for age. The size and body proportions of infants born to well-controlled diabetics were normal. Hairiness of the pinna was observed in infants born to both well- and poorly controlled diabetics, and may prove to be a useful clinical sign in identifying the infant of a diabetic mother.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1980

The site of placental insertion and fetal growth.

A simple method of examining the placenta and its attached membranes after vaginal delivery was used to assess the site of placental insertion in utero. The placental site was determined in 187 term infants. Birth weight and length were not influenced by the position of the placenta, but infants with placentas situated at the fundus had significantly larger heads. Infants with low-lying placentas were at no growth disadvantage.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1980

The relationship of umbilical cord plasma cortisol levels to amniotic fluid infection.

Cord plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in 52 preterm infants and related to amniotic fluid infection as evidenced by positive bacterial cultures. The cortisol levels were significantly raised in the group with an infected intra-uterine environment (519 +/- 158 nm/l) compared with the non-infected group (325 +/- 134 nm/l). This effect was independent of length of gestation, duration of rupture of membranes, or duration of labour. Infants with fetal growth retardation had raised cortisol levels (555 +/- 207 nm/l), while maternal dexamethasone therapy suppressed the levels (197 +/- 76 nm/l). Only 2 infants developed hyaline membrane disease, and in both bacterial culture was negative and cord cortisol levels low (231 and 239 nm/l). It is suggested that amniotic fluid infection may play a role in reducing the incidence of hyaline membrane disease by increasing fetal cortisol production.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1980

Maternal post-delivery weight in the assessment of obesity.

Maternal weight recorded on the day after delivery correlated significantly with maternal skinfold thickness measured at multiple sites. Skinfold thickness probably reflects total body fat stores. It is suggested that the relationship between maternal weight and fetal birth weight may be mediated by the amount of maternal fat available to meet the energy requirements of the growing fetus.

Body Weight↗