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Biomedical subjects

C I Franks

Publications and source records attributed to C I Franks.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Respiratory patterns and risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.

The overnight respiratory patterns of 25 infants at high risk and 42 infants at low risk of sudden unexpected death were studied during the first 6 months of life. 'Risk' was determined using the birth scoring criteria of Carpenter and Emery. Recordings were made at home using a twin-channel radar chest movement detector which was designed to avoid the need for contact with the infant. The recordings were analysed for respiratory frequency, total duration of apnoea, periodic breathing, duration of regular breathing, and amount of body movement. The high risk group of infants showed respiratory frequencies that were significantly higher than those of the low risk group. None of the other parameters showed significant differences between the groups. These findings do not support the widespread use of home apnoea monitors for infants.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Somatosensory evoked cortical responses: detection in normal infants.

The detection of evoked cortical potentials to a peripheral stimulus is a possible method of studying sensory innervation in children. The purpose of the present study was to determine the consistency with which evoked responses to the electrical stimulation of nerve trunks can be recorded, and to assess the validity of computer analysis of the records. Automated analysis was felt to be desirable because the identification of evoked potentials is usually subjective. Recording sessions were carried out on 37 normal children between the ages of one and six months, and where possible were repeated on three occasions at intervals of at least one month. Using a rigid recording regime, evoked responses could be obtained in 90 to 95 per cent of sessions, the success rate varying with the site of stimulation. An objective computer analysis of records has been developed which is able to recognise evoked potentials as successfully as an experienced human observer.

Evoked Potentials↗
PubMed1976

Somatosensory evoked cortical responses in children with spina bifida.

The sensory pathways of 18 infants and children with myelomeningocele were studied by recording somatosensory evoked cortical responses to standardised electrical stimuli over major nerve trunks in the arms and legs. The 12 infants were tested between the ages of three days and eight months and the six children were tested between two and three years of age. In the majority of patients the results obtained by this technique correlated well with the clinical testing of sensation.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Abnormalities of foot pressure in early diabetic neuropathy.

Dynamic foot pressure has been studied in 44 diabetic subjects of mean age 52 years with no clinical evidence of neuropathy and in an age and sex matched non-diabetic control group. Vibration perception threshold (VPT), sensory (SCV), and motor conduction velocities (MCV) were also measured in the diabetic subjects. Sixteen diabetic subjects (Group A) had abnormally high pressures under the metatarsal heads (greater than 10 kg/cm2), whereas the remaining 28 diabetic subjects had normal results (Group B). The ratio of toe to metatarsal head loading (normal 0.112) was significantly reduced in Group A (0.077) compared to Group B (0.127: p less than 0.05). VPT and sural nerve SCV were also significantly abnormal in Group A subjects compared with Group B (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.02, respectively), though there were no differences in MCV. A significant inverse correlation was obtained between toe loading and VPT. It is concluded that abnormalities of foot pressure occur in early sensory neuropathy and may precede clinical abnormalities. Assessment of the toe-loading ratio may provide a sensitive measure of motor dysfunction in early diabetic neuropathy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The measurement of pressures under the foot.

An apparatus is described which gives a rapid and detailed picture of the distribution of pressure under the foot, this being displayed either as a continuous grey scale or a color contour map on a television monitor. Automatic analysis systems are outlined which enable the quantitation of the distribution of pressures and loads under the foot during standing and walking, utilizing computer techniques. The use of the static system is illustrated by the results of analytic procedures carried out on normal feet and in the assessment of surgical correction of a series of equino-varus feet in children suffering from spina bifida. The clinical application of the dynamic system is illustrated by the measurement of pressure/time curves encountered under the heel, the five metatarsal heads, and the great toe of a control group of feet and the feet of patients who had undergone metatarsophalangeal fusions, Keller arthroplasties, and Swanson arthroplasties.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic foot pressure and other studies as diagnostic and management aids in diabetic neuropathy.

The pressures and loads under the feet during walking have been compared in three groups of 41 patients each, using a microprocessor-controlled optical system. Group A consisted of patients with diabetic neuropathy, group B of non-neuropathic diabetic patients, and group C of nondiabetic controls. Thirteen patients in group A had a history of neuropathic foot ulceration. Other investigations in the diabetic patients included motor conduction velocity (MCV) in the median and peroneal nerves, vibration perception threshold (VPT) in the great toes, the valsalva response (VR), skin resistance (SR), and the ankle pressure index (API). Fifty-one percent of neuropathic feet had abnormally high pressures underneath the metatarsal heads compared with 17% of the diabetic controls and 7% of nondiabetic subjects. All those feet with previous ulceration had abnormally high pressures at the ulcer sites. Of the other investigations, the VPT correlated most significantly with the presence of foot ulceration. In addition, a low median and peroneal nerve MCV, an abnormal VR, a high API, and the absence of sweating all correlated with the presence of foot ulceration. We therefore conclude that simple bedside investigations, such as measurement of the VPT alone, may be useful in identifying those patients at risk of foot ulceration. Foot pressure studies may then be used in such patients as a predictive and management aid by determining specific areas under the foot that are prone to ulceration.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reduction of abnormal foot pressures in diabetic neuropathy using a new polymer insole material.

The precise pressures and loads under 69 neuropathic feet have been measured during walking using a modified microprocessor-controlled optical system. Abnormally high pressures were demonstrated in 94% of feet with a history of foot ulceration, with pressures as high as 20-30 kg X cm-2 under the forefoot. All subjects were also studied using a new visco-elastic polymer material recently used for insole manufacture. A reduction in pressure was demonstrated that was proportional to peak pressure (linear regression line correlation coefficient of 0.91; P less than 0.001). We conclude that this material causes a significant reduction in the abnormally high pressures recorded under neuropathic feet, and should provide a useful insole for the management of patients at risk of neuropathic foot ulceration.

Adult↗