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Biomedical subjects

A M Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to A M Thomson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Skeletal maturation of Hong Kong Chinese children in the first five years of life.

This report describes the skeletal maturity during the first five years of life of 492 Chinese children in Hong Kong in a longitudinal study. Hand-wrist radiographs taken half-yearly were assessed by the Tanner-Whitehouse method and rated according to the TW1 20-bone self-weighting maturity score. Skeletal age was in advance of chronological age in both sexes, but significantly more so in females, especially between 18 months and three years. The relationship of the skeletal maturation of these children to various socioeconomic factors is discussed, including the effect of preferential child rearing in favour of males.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗
PubMed1977

Home and hospital confinement in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1960 to 1969.

During the decade 1960 to 1969, perinatal mortality rates in Newcastle upon Tyne fell in parallel with national trends, in association with a marked reduction of domiciliary midwifery. Analysis of the records of women booked for confinement at home or in specialist hospitals showed that the reduction of mortality occurred with unexpected uniformity in both categories, in low risk as well as high risk patients, and in all causes of mortality except congenital malformations. It could not be attributed to improvements in maternal characteristics nor to increased size of babies at birth. The most probably explanation seems to be a combination of many improvements in the quality of care, with increased awareness of risks, better selection of high-risk groups, and improved supervision and management throughout. There is no indication that single factor in obstetric management, such as more intervention during labour, had a dominant effect.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1976

The diets of preschool children in Newcastle upon Tyne, 1968-71.

1. Ninety-one families containing 140 children under 4 years of age at enrolment were studied. At 1-monthly intervals, the children were weighed and measured and qualitative information about feeding habits was obtained. Weighed dietary surveys for periods of 5 d were made at approximately 8 months, 3 years, and 5 years of age; there were forty-six failures in 260 surveys attempted. 2. At the four specified ages, mean energy intakes were 3-75, 5-03, 5-82 and 6-75 MJ (896, 1203, 1392 and 1613 kcal)/d respectively. At 8 months, milk products provided on average, 43% of the total energy intake, and commerical baby foods provided 17%. These values decreased to 21 and 2% respectively at 20 months and there was little further change therafter. 3. Average intake of energy and of most nutrients met recommended intakes (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969). Iron intakes were marginal, and vitamin D intakes were low. 4. The energy intake of boys was significantly higher than that of the girls at 3 years of age, but the boys were not significantly heavier. The energy intake of children from "manual-worker" families was higher than that from "non-manual" families. Similarly, the energy intake of children from larger families was higher than that of children from smaller families. 5. Energy intakes were correlated with body-weights and with rates of gain in weight. Irrespective of body-weight, "big eaters" at 20 months tended to be "big eaters" at 3 years also.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1975

Foetal growth from 50 to 150 days of gestation.

Weight and several linear measurements have been related to postmenstrual age in a series of fresh, apparently normal foetuses, ranging in age from 8 to 21 weeks. Although the correlation between these variables and age was high, the prediction of foetal age from such measurements can never be precise, due in part to difficulties inherent in the concept of postmenstrual age. The average relationships agreed in general with those in previous reports, including those based on spontaneous abortion material.

Body Height↗
PubMed1975

Lactation and reproduction.

The authors review the literature on the effect of lactation on fertility in the absence of contraception and on the effects of contraceptive measures on lactation. They examine data from several countries on the intervals between births and on the return of menstruation and ovulation after childbirth, comparing lactating with nonlactating women. They conclude that lactation is an inefficient contraceptive for the individual, but that in populations sustained lactation is associated with reduced fertility. Possible physiological mechanisms causing lactation amenorrhoea are discussed. Though much of the literature on the effect of contraceptives on lactation is inadequate, there is general agreement that the estrogen component of hormonal preparations has an adverse effect on lactation, but that progestins alone do not. Many questions remain. Is this effect seen in established lactation, or only in the puerperal period? Is it a direct pharmacological effect, or are pill-users the mothers least motivated to maintain breast-feeding? Does a close relationship exist between hormones given and lactation performance? The authors comment on some of the technical deficiencies of previous studies in this field and discuss practical possibilities of, and limitations to, obtaining adequate scientific information in the future.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1975

Nutritional aspects of human lactation.

This paper reviews the literature on the incidence and duration of breast-feeding in various countries, the volume and composition of breast milk, the health and nutrition of breast-fed babies as judged by growth and morbidity, maternal nutritional requirements during lactation, and the effect of prolonged lactation on maternal health. It appears that lactation can be as well sustained by impoverished as by affluent mothers, and that even in communities where malnutrition is common the average growth of infants is satisfactory up to the age of about 3 months on a diet of breast milk alone. Breast milk appears to have specific anti-infective properties, but prolonged breast-feeding will not prevent infections among older infants reared in a poor environment. The authors believe that breast-feeding is the best form of nutrition for the young infant and deplore its decline in modern industrial societies. The recommendations of various FAO/WHO Expert Groups on nutritional intakes during lactation are summarized. The need for an increased daily energy intake of 4.2 MJ (1 000 kcal) is questioned, and an increase of 2.5 MJ (600 kcal) is suggested. Data on the effect of prolonged lactation on the health of the mother are scanty; body weight appears to be maintained even among poorly nourished mothers. The authors stress the need for well-planned and technically adequate studies of the material and psychological factors involved in breast feeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1974

Non-specificity of laboratory test for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

It has been claimed that the inhibiting effect of linoleic acid on the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test provides a specific laboratory method for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and may also enable susceptible relatives of M.S. patients to be identified. Three trials of the method under double-blind conditions have failed to confirm that the test is diagnostically useful.

Animals↗