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Biomedical subjects

A Salt

Publications and source records attributed to A Salt.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

How do Child Development Teams work? Findings from a UK national survey.

The area of child disability is the 'Cinderella' of community child health services. It lacks a clear commissioning model, agreed quality standards or guidance on the level of resources required. In this climate of uncertainty, a national survey of Child Development Teams was undertaken in order to describe their basic structure and processes. The paper reports information from 242 multidisciplinary teams providing local services, with statutory funding, to children with neurodevelopmental disability and their families. The picture presented is encouraging in part. For example, 79% of teams operate from a Child Development Centre, which may be expected to enhance team communication. In terms of the initial assessment process for a developmentally delayed child, most teams (91%) report that they would hold a case discussion afterwards, although only 74% would always include parents, and only 70% always give their report(s) to parents. The impression of management practices is weak, with only 62% giving a clear answer about who manages the team, and less than half having a written policy or contract for the team's work. The survey findings provide a sampling framework from which further evaluative research can be generated.

Child↗

Liver transplantation in 100 children: Cambridge and King's College Hospital series.

OBJECTIVE: To review the results of the Addenbrooke's and King's College Hospital children's liver transplantation programme. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the first 100 children to receive liver grafts at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, from December 1983 to March 1990. SETTING: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, and King's College Hospital, London. SUBJECTS: 153 children assessed for liver transplantation, of whom 22 died before a donor became available and 31 were considered unsuitable. 100 children received grafts, of whom 27 had second grafts. RESULTS: One year actuarial patient survival was 71%, with 57% one year graft survival. In the last two years survival rates had improved considerably, with 86% of patients and 63% of grafts surviving for at least one year. Sixty five children were alive 12 to 86 months after transplantation; 63 were well and leading normal active lives and 56 had entirely normal liver function. Children's growth and development were essentially normal, with many showing remarkable catch up growth. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation offers children with terminal liver disease a high chance of a return to full quality life and normal development. Improved surgical and medical care have progressively improved survival. The timing of transplantation is critical but has been constrained particularly by the availability of donors and resources.

Adolescent↗

Liver transplantation in tyrosinaemia type 1: the dilemma of timing the operation.

Four children with tyrosinaemia type 1 received liver transplants. The metabolic disorder was corrected and all four had normal liver function on an unrestricted diet. Two children, transplanted at age five and seven years, proved to have occult hepatocellular carcinoma and both subsequently developed pulmonary metastases. One child was well 32 months after removal of a single pulmonary metastasis but the other child died with multiple metastases. The two younger children, transplanted at age 19 and 21 months, were well 28 and 44 months after operation, one after a second liver transplant. Our experience confirms the high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in this disease and the potential value of early liver transplantation.

Age Factors↗

Viral and toxoplasma gondii infections in children after liver transplantation.

The incidence and morbidity of viral and Toxoplasma gondii infections were studied in 40 children who underwent liver transplantation between December 1983 and February 1988. The incidence of primary and reactivated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was 19% and 47%, respectively; primary infection caused clinical disease in all five cases affected and was fatal in one. Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection occurred in 10 (26%) recipients but caused only mild disease. No reactivated EBV infection was recorded and no lymphoproliferative disorders associated with EBV were found after a maximum of four years' follow up. Adenovirus infection occurred in seven (18%) patients; this was associated in one case with fatal pneumonia and fulminant hepatitis, but otherwise with only mild respiratory disease. Primary T gondii infection was detected in one patient who remained asymptomatic. Other viruses causing infection included herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and respiratory syncytial virus. Surveillance for these infections and the long term sequelae should be included in the follow up of all children who undergo transplantation.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗