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Biomedical subjects

D Lennon

Publications and source records attributed to D Lennon.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Successful intervention in a group A meningococcal outbreak in Auckland, New Zealand.

During two consecutive winter seasons (1985 and 1986) Auckland, New Zealand, experienced epidemic rates of Group A meningococcal disease, a pattern not previously recognized in New Zealand. The overall rate was 8.3/100,000/year. The highest annual rate (64.7) occurred in children 0 to 23 months of age. A city-wide vaccine campaign commencing in May, 1987, was conducted over 6 weeks among children 3 months to 13 years of age with special emphasis on reaching populations at highest risk (Maori and Pacific Island Polynesian children in certain geographic regions of Auckland). Children from 2 to 13 years of age received a single dose of monovalent Group A meningococcal vaccine. Children ages 3 to 23 months received two doses at least 1 month apart. Overall approximately 130,000 doses were delivered; coverage was approximately 90% in the single dose target group. Among the younger children approximately 89% received the primary dose. Only approximately 26% received the recommended "booster" dose. After 2 1/2 years of active surveillance (1987 to 1989) there were no cases of invasive Group A meningococcal disease in children appropriately vaccinated for age. In contrast to this 100% efficacy the efficacy of a single dose of monovalent Group A meningococcal vaccine to prevent illness in the youngest children during the 1987 epidemic period was 52% (95% confidence interval (-330%, 95%)) falling to 16% (95% confidence interval, (-538%, 90%)) after 1 year. Four cases that occurred in infants 3 to 7 weeks before the scheduled "booster" campaign supports limited true efficacy. However, the prescribed 1 to 3-month interval between the two doses in infants may be too long.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Vaccines↗
PubMed1989

The clinical features of paediatric meningococcal disease Auckland, 1985-87.

An epidemic of group A meningococcal disease began in Auckland in May 1985. There were 122 paediatric cases of meningococcal disease in the next 25 months including 98 cases due to group A. The commonest clinical symptoms were vomiting, headache and photophobia, while frequent signs included fever, seizures, petechial rash and meningism or a bulging fontanelle. Complications were uncommon and included sterile arthritis and prolonged fever. The majority had disease confirmed by positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture. Significantly fewer positive cultures were seen in those treated with antibiotics prior to admission. The overall mortality was 7%. If the acute illness was survived, the only detected long term sequela was sensorineural hearing loss seen in 6%. A vaccine programme has been undertaken to control this epidemic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Auckland children 1981-87.

Haemophilus influenzae type b invasive disease was reviewed in the Auckland paediatric population. A total of 205 episodes were confirmed by sterile cavity culture in 203 patients under 15 years of age over a seven year period. The incidence of invasive disease was 14/100,000/year in those under 15 years and 41/100,000/year in under 5 year olds. The age range was from 1 month to 11 years, with 91% under 5 years and 64% under 2 years. Most cases were due to meningitis (63%). Other diseases included epiglottitis, pneumonia, cellulitis, arthritis, and occult bacteraemia. There was only one fatality. Beta lactamase production was found in 9% of meningeal isolates. Recently a new conjugated haemophilus vaccine has been licensed in the United States for use in children 18 months and older. Consideration should be given to introducing this vaccine in New Zealand.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

An outbreak of meningococcal disease in Auckland, New Zealand.

A large epidemic of disease caused by Group A sulfonamide-resistant Neisseria meningitidis has been occurring in Auckland, New Zealand, from June, 1985, and peaking in October, 1985 (spring), and June, 1986 (winter). By the end of 1986 an overall attack rate of 8.3 cases/100,000 total population per year had been calculated. The attack rate in children younger than 15 years was 30.4/100,000/year and the highest rate occurred in children younger than 5 years: all Auckland 68.8/100,000/year; South and Central Auckland 98.7/100,000/year. Seventy-nine percent of cases younger than 15 years of age occurred in 30% of the childhood population. The overall case-fatality ratio was 7% with the highest rate (22%) occurring in male children age 1 to 2 years. An outbreak in an industrialized country of an infectious disease usually seen in developing countries calls for investigation of living conditions and other sociodemographic factors in the population affected. Specific action in the form of a vaccination program particularly targeted to those at risk was planned and implemented before the winter of 1987.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Diet and exercise training effects on resting metabolic rate.

The decline in resting metabolic rate (RMR) during periods of caloric restriction is a well documented phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to determine if either 30 min of daily self-selected aerobic activity (Group D) or prescribed exercise training performed every other day (Group P) for 12 weeks can prevent the decrease in RMR during caloric restriction for weight loss. Seventy-eight adult subjects (38 M, 40 F) whose weights were 15-35 percent above the upper limit for age, sex and frame were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. All three groups followed the same 1200, 1500 or 1800 kcal/d (5023, 6279, 7534 kJ) diet exchange plan. Group C (Control) followed no exercise program, while D and P exercised as described above. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max, m10(2)/kg X min-1) predicted from the Bruce Test increased by 0.08 +/- 7, 9 +/- 12 and 12 +/- 9 percent in groups C, D and P, respectively. The increases for D and P were significantly higher than for C (P less than 0.01). RMR (m10(2)/kg X min-1) increased by 2 +/- 9, 4 +/- 7 and 10 +/- 9 percent in groups C, D and P respectively. The percent change for group P was significantly greater than that for groups C and D (P less than 0.05). There was a significant relationship across all subjects between the % delta in VO2 max and % delta in RMR (r = 0.307, P less than 0.01). However, the association between these two variables was stronger for females than for males.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Folate nutrition in early pregnancy.

Mean daily folate intakes of 195 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were assessed by 5-7 day weighed dietary records. Intakes for total folate ranged from 64.7 to 302.0 micrograms/day with a mean intake of 148.0 micrograms/day. The lowest intakes were associated with social classes III, IV and V, maternal age less than 20 years and vomiting on three or more days per week.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Children as active traffic accident participants.

Children suffer excessive morbidity and mortality from traffic accidents in New Zealand. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents constitute one-third of these accidents. The pattern of involvement of children in such incidents may suggest specific preventive measures.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1977

Maternal nutrition in early pregnancy.

1. Mean daily nutrient intakes of 195 women in the first trimester of pregnancy were assessed by weighed dietary records. 2. In comparsion with recommended intakes for non-pregnant women aged 18-55 years (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969), more than two-thirds of the subjects were having insufficient energy, iron and cholecalciferol. Unsatisfactory intakes of other nutrients were not uncommon. In relation to recommended intakes for the second trimester (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969), all mothers were having insufficient cholecalciferol and more than 80% of mothers had unsatisfactory intakes of energy and Fe. 3. Intakes appreciably lower than those recommended were associated with the following factors: social classes III, IV and V; maternal age under 20 years; smoking ten or more cigarettes daily; vomiting on more than 3 d/week.

Adult↗