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Biomedical subjects

B Peitersen

Publications and source records attributed to B Peitersen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The value of the micromethod erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the diagnosis of infections in newborns.

200 newborns, gestational age between 27 and 43 weeks (mean 39 weeks) and a birth weight between 900 and 4600 g (mean 2600 g) were studied. 18 patients had severe infections, 20 topical infections, 11 had signs of infection but negative microbiological cultures, 26 had positive cultures but no clinical signs of infection, and 125 patients had no sign of infection at all. In the group without infection (125 patients), the micromethod erythrocyte sedimentation rate (MESR) raised slowly from 2 mm/h at birth (95% upper limit 8 mm/h) to 4 mm/h 8 days after delivery. The MESR of the patients with respiratory distress, asphyxia, intubated children and patients with umbilical catheter, who had no infection, did not differ from other patients in this group. In patients with focal and general infections, rapidly rising MESR within wide limits was observed. Thus, in the individual newborn a high MESR supports the diagnosis of severe infection, whereas a low MESR does not exclude this diagnosis.

Bacterial Infections↗

Netilmicin: efficacy and tolerance in the treatment of systemic infections in neonates.

38 newborn infants, 28 males and 10 females, were treated with netilmicin in doses 6-7 mg/kg/day for suspected or verified infections. 19 patients were mature (mean birth weight 3169 g) and 19 were premature (mean birth weight 1864 g). 32 had moderate or severe underlying diseases. 37 babies survived, 33 were cured or improved markedly and in 4 the results were indeterminate. Pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in 24 cases and were eliminated in 15. Only one baby died. He suffered from severe respiratory distress syndrome and Escherichia coli septicemia. No E. coli was isolated at autopsy. The mean netilmicin peak serum value was 7.7 micrograms/ml (range 1.0-30.0) and the mean trough concentration 2.1 micrograms/ml (range 0.0-9.2). No adverse effects were seen.

Bacterial Infections↗

Comparisons between serum concentrations of thyroxine and thyroxine-binding proteins in samples simultaneously obtained from capillary, peripheral vein, central vein and aorta in newborn infants.

A total number of 40 newborn infants with various maturity were studied: 13 babies without perinatal events, 19 infants recovered from transient diseases, 6 infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome and 2 infants with asphyxia indicating artificial ventilation. Comparisons were performed between serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4), thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), prealbumin (TBPA) and albumin (Alb) in capillary versus peripheral vein, aorta versus central vein and, finally, in peripheral versus central veins. In healthy infants serum T4 concentrations in capillary blood and peripheral vein did not differ significantly. Although serum concentrations of thyroid hormone-binding proteins tended to be increased in aortic compared to central venous specimens no statistically significant differences appeared. In infants in good clinical conditions serum T4, TBG, TBPA, and Alb levels were 6--8% higher in peripheral than in central veins, possibly primarily due to a hemo-concentrating effect of venous stasis. Therefore, in evaluation of the thyroid variables in newborn infants the technique of blood sampling must be considered. In most infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome and in one asphyxiated baby a remarkable tendency to a low serum TBG and T4 concentration in peripheral compared to central vein samples were observed.

Aorta↗

Serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin, prealbumin and albumin in healthy fullterm, small-for-gestational age and preterm newborn infants.

Simultaneous serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), prealbumin (TBPA) and albumin (Alb) were measured in 130 fullterm, 32 small-for-gestational age and 25 preterm infants during their first six days of life. In all infants serum concentrations of TBG were higher and serum TBPA and Alb were lower than in male adults. Even higher serum TBG levels were found in the mothers. There was no correlation between serum concentrations in paired maternal and cord sera. In infants with birth weights appropriate for gestation serum TBG, TBPA, and Alb concentrations increased progressively with gestational age. In small-for-gestational age infants born at term serum concentrations of TBG and Alb were lower than those in fullterm, but higher than those in premature newborns. Serum TBPA in small-for-gestational age babies was even lower than seen in prematures. A positive correlation was found between thyroid hormones and TBG concentrations, not between serum TBPA and thyroid hormones. The ratios between serum concentration of thyroid hormones and proteins might indicate that more thyroid hormonebinding sites are occupied in fullterm than in low birth-weight newborns. However, the main reason for the different serum levels of thyroid hormones in fullterm, small-for-gestational age and preterm babies is probably the various serum TBG concentrations demonstrated in these infants.

Birth Weight↗

Serum concentrations of thyrotropin, thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone-binding proteins during acute and recovery stages of idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome.

A total number of 27 premature infants with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) and 52 healthy controls with comparable gestational age and body weights were studied during the first month of life. In infants with IRDS a reduced thyrotropin (TSH) response to birth was suggested, as serum TSH was lower in IRDS patients than in controls during the first two days of life. Low serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were found in the acute stage of IRDS reaching minimal values by day 3--5. After that period an increase in thyroid hormone levels occurred. The serum T2 increased to the level of healthy prematures by day 6--10, whereas the serum T4 increased to normal levels by day 21--30. Serum concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) were significantly lower in IRDS patients than in healthy controls; a gradual increase to normal levels occurred during recovery. Serum prealbumin (TBPA) levels in IRDS infants increased rapidly after birth and exceeded levels of healthy infants. Serum albumin values were not significantly different in the two groups of infants. The serum T4/TBG ratios were low during recovery from IRDS.

Humans↗

Incidence, seasonal and geographical patterns of juvenile-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Denmark.

The incidence, sex, seasonal and geographical patterns of juvenile-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (j.i.d.m.) were studied retrospectively on one third of the Danish population 1970-1974. The j.i.d.m. incidence remained fairly constant during the study period, the average being 13.2 per 100000 per year. The total number of boys exceeded the number of girls by 27%. A marked peak of incidence was found at 12-14 years, earlier for females than for males. A seasonal variation in onset (diagnosis) of j.i.d.m. was observed with the lowest number of new cases in May-July. The j.i.d.m. incidence seemed to show socioeconomic differences, being highest in those parts of the survey area with lower status.

Adolescent↗

Medium chain triglycerides for treatment of spontaneous, neonatal chylothorax. Lipid analysis of the chyle.

Volume and contents of lipid and protein in the pleural fluid from a three weeks old girl with spontaneous chylothorax were studied (a) during parenteral, nonfatty nutrition and later (b) during administration of a formula (Biosorbin) containing medium chain triglycerides (MCT). The pleural fluid production could not be correlated to the treatment employed but suddenly ceased after 20 days management. Triglyceride and total esterified fatty acid concentrations in pleural fluid were high on admission when feeded with human milk, and chylomicrons and other lipoproteins were present in the chyle. During parenteral treatment a pronounced decrease in pleural fluid concentrations of triglyceride and total fatty acids occurred concomitant with a disappearance of the chylomicrons. During the following MCT diet a pronounced increase in triglyceride and total fatty acids concentrations appeared and the chylomicrons reappeared in the chyle. The cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in the pleural fluid showed only small changes during the different treatments. No significant changes in protein and albumin concentrations of chyle were observed. It is concluded, that administration of the Biosorbin MCT formula, containing 871/2% of the fat as MCT, seems without value ih the treatment of spontaneous, neonatal chylothorax.

Chyle↗

B, T and null lymphocytes in newborn infants and their mothers.

Estimation of B, T and null cells were performed on 29 newborn healthy babies and 16 mothers. The lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral venous blood, which is considered to be more representative of the immune state in the newborn than the cord blood. B lymphocytes were estimated by cytofluorometric measurements, T lymphocytes by sheep red blood cell rosette technique, (SRBC-R). Combined immunofluorescence and SRBC-R technique revealed the null cells. In the newborn babies the amount of B and T cells were found to be diminished. In the mothers the amount of B lymphocytes were low compared with normal adults. The rather high null cell percentage found in the babies might represent immature precursor cells. Mothers seem to be immuno-depressed as reflected in the low amount of B cells.

Adult↗

The relationship between pregnancy, HCS and B lymphocytes.

The quantitative distribution of the lymphocyte subpopulations (B, T and null) and the serum concentrations of Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin (HCS), immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA, complement component C4 and C1 inactivator, were estimated in venous blood samples from 32 women at various stages of pregnancy and compared with a control series of 7 non-pregnant normal women. A significant decline in the B cell percentage during pregnancy was seen. The fall in the percentage of the B lymphocytes was found to be concomitant with the rise in HCS concentration. No significant changes in the other parameters studied were present.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Quantitative determination of immunoglobulins, lysozyme, and certain electrolytes in breast milk during the entire period of lactation, during a 24-hour period, and in milk from the individual mammary gland.

During a period commencing at birth and lasting for up to 27 months 193 milk samples have been collected from 29 mothers. The IgA globulin content was high immediately after birth, averaging 2.7 arb.U, decreasing to 0.3 arb.U within the first 2 to 3 weeks after birth, then remaining almost constant for the rest of the lactational period. In the case of IgG globulin, similar results were obtained, but the quantity was much smaller. IgM globulin was demonstrated in small quantities during the first 3 weeks of lactation. The lysozyme content varied considerably during the whole lactational period. Individual variations were found for all the immunoglobulins, while the concentration in the individual woman varied only slightly from day to day following in other respects the pattern described above. In 19 mothers IgA, IgG, IgM, lysozyme and electrolyte content were determined in serum and in milk from the right and the left breast on the same day. No difference in content was found between milk from the left and the right mammary gland. A positive correlation was found between the concentrations of IgA and sodium chloride in milk, between those of IgG in milk and serum, and between those of lysozyme in milk and serum. No variations were registered during the individual breast feeding, nor for the 24-hour period as a whole.

Adult↗