Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H D Heese

Publications and source records attributed to H D Heese.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Health care of preterm infants in the first year of life.

The home environment of preterm infants and their use of health services after discharge from hospital were investigated. Of the mothers of preterm infants studied 49% were not educated beyond primary school level, 38% were unmarried and 20% of these families had marked social problems, and 56% lived in grossly overcrowded conditions. Only the extent of unmarried motherhood and marked social problems were greater in preterm infants than in a control group of term infants. Attendance at primary care services for illness was no different for the preterm and term groups, although hospital admissions were most frequent in the preterm infants. Three preterm infants died in the first year. Only 65% of preterm infants and 55% of controls had completed weight charts on their preschool record card at 12 months of age. Three preterm and 2 control infants had not been fully immunized. In spite of poor social circumstances, the use of health services by the mothers of preterm infants was most encouraging.

Educational Status↗
PubMed1986

Serum zinc and copper levels in healthy middle and higher socio-economic class infants in Cape Town. A longitudinal study during the 1st year of life.

Serum zinc and copper levels were measured using a flame atomic absorption technique in 55 healthy infants and their middle and upper socio-economic class mothers at delivery, and also longitudinally in the infants during the first 12 months of life. Mean cord serum zinc levels (99.50 +/- 27.63 micrograms/100 ml) were 1.5 times higher than maternal serum levels at birth (66.3 +/- 21.0 micrograms/100 ml). The mean serum zinc levels showed no significant change (P greater than 0.05) at each of the study periods. However, the mean serum zinc levels at birth were significantly higher (P less than 0.05), than those after 6 weeks. The infants' levels remained within the normal adult range at all the study periods. The mean cord serum copper levels (34.46 +/- 12.60 micrograms/100 ml) were about one-sixth of the mean maternal serum copper levels at delivery (217.7 +/- 64.39 micrograms/100 ml). The mean serum copper levels increased significantly (P less than 0.05) from birth to 12 months of age. Mean serum copper levels similar to those of normal adults were reached at 12-24 weeks.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Serum zinc and copper levels in healthy South African women at term and during the first year after childbirth.

Serum zinc and copper levels were measured longitudinally in 55 healthy middle and upper socio-economic group white mothers living in Cape Town from the birth of the baby to 12 months after parturition. Mean maternal serum zinc levels showed a significant rise (P less than 0.05) from delivery (66.34 +/- 21.07 micrograms/100 ml) to 12 weeks (87.88 +/- 15.93 micrograms/100 ml), but no further changes were detected at 24, 36 and 52 weeks after parturition. The mean maternal serum copper levels decreased from 217.73 +/- 64.34 micrograms/100 ml at delivery to 141.65 +/- 45.60 micrograms/100 ml at 12 weeks (P less than 0.05); they remained constant at all the other sampling periods. No differences (P greater than 0.05) were noted at all the different sampling periods between mean serum zinc levels of primiparous and multiparous mothers, but mean serum copper levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in the primiparas. The mean serum zinc and copper levels of healthy white South African mothers at delivery and 12 months after parturition correspond with those for Northern American mothers. Normal non-pregnant adult serum zinc and copper levels were attained within 12 weeks of delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Ferritin levels in human milk.

Ferritin was detected and quantitated in breast milk from 24 mothers of healthy fullterm infants 3 days, 7 days, 6 weeks and 3 months after delivery. Highest concentrations were found at day 3 and demonstrated a marked decline at day 7, with negligible levels at 6 weeks and 3 months. The values in breast milk were compared with mother's serum ferritin concentration at delivery and a significant but weak correlation (r = 0.475, P less than 0.05) was found between the paired values of maternal serum ferritin at delivery and breast milk ferritin at day 3. The possible biological significance of ferritin in breast milk is discussed.

Ferritins↗
PubMed1986

Complement abnormalities during an epidemic of group B meningococcal infection in children.

During an epidemic of group B meningococcal infection mean values obtained in 96 consecutively affected children showed a reduction in classical pathway function (CH50), normal alternate pathway function (AP50), C4 and factor B levels, and raised C3 levels. CH50, C3 and Factor B were however significantly lower in those children who had a rapid onset of illness, were in shock, had signs of septicaemia, had extensive skin purpura, or who died. The presence of detectable meningococcal antigen by Counter Immuno Electrophoresis (CIE) and laboratory evidence of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) also correlated with lower complement levels. The significant reduction in CH50 and Factor B in the more severely affected patients suggests that activation of both classical and alternate pathways occurs in group B meningococcal infection.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Zinc and copper levels in the breast-milk of Cape Town mothers.

Zinc and copper levels were measured longitudinally in the breast-milk of 55 healthy South African women from the middle and upper socio-economic classes. The mean foremilk zinc levels showed a significant fall (P less than 0,05) from 652,9 +/- 240,7 micrograms/dl at 3 days after delivery to 413,3 +/- 143,0 micrograms/dl at 7 days and 228,1 +/- 136,1 micrograms/dl at 6 weeks. Lower foremilk zinc levels were obtained at 36 weeks (64,3 +/- 50,0 micrograms/dl). In contrast, foremilk copper levels were low at 3 days (57,0 +/- 74,8 micrograms/dl), with a gradual decline to very low levels (28,0 +/- 29,7 micrograms/dl) at 36 weeks. No differences were detected between the fore- and hindmilk zinc and copper levels at any stage of lactation studied (P greater than 0,05).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Abnormal serum protein levels in infants with hyaline membrane disease--evidence of an underlying immunological disorder.

Evidence is presented that newborn infants who develop hyaline membrane disease (HMD) have higher levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) than comparable infants who do not show evidence of the disease. A hypothesis is put forward that HMD is the result of an immune reaction between mother and infant, which may commence as early as the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. It is postulated that HMD infants, who generally have raised levels of serum IgM, produce IgM antibodies to foreign maternal IgG and that this reaction between the infant's IgM and maternal IgG accounts for the signs of systemic disease at birth. The onset of breathing during the intrapartum period may lead to an exacerbation of the immune response in the lung. It is known that AFP suppresses T-cell-dependent antibody responses. The presence of raised AFP levels may be an attempt to prevent formation of fetal or infant IgG antibodies resulting in an uncontrolled immune response and a lethal outcome.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1985

Serum zinc and copper levels in children with meningococcal disease.

Mean serum zinc and copper levels were depressed in 94 children aged 1 month to 9 years who presented with meningococcal disease. The mean serum zinc level was 44 micrograms/dl (reference value 78 micrograms/dl, SD 18) and the mean serum copper level 157 micrograms/dl (reference value 159 micrograms/dl, SD 27). Nineteen patients had serum zinc levels less than 25 micrograms/dl and ten patients had serum copper levels less than 101 micrograms/dl. Serum zinc levels were significantly lower in patients who were septicaemic or in whom manifestations of severe disease such as shock, more than 20 petechiae, ecchymoses and evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred compared to those without these features. Serum copper concentrations were higher than reference levels in patients with meningitis and in less severely ill patients. Copper levels were significantly lower in patients with septicaemia, severe disease, shock, more than 20 petechiae, ecchymoses, disseminated intravascular coagulation, leucopenia and patients who died compared with patients without these features.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The prevalence of iron deficiency in apparently healthy Cape coloured infants.

In order to obtain a more accurate picture of the prevalences of anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, haematological iron deficiency and diminished iron stores, 240 Cape Coloured infants from the lower socio-economic groups were studied. Anaemia was diagnosed in 42 infants (17,5%), iron deficiency anaemia in 81 (34%), and haematological iron deficiency in 28%; 64 (27%) showed evidence of diminished iron stores. The findings indicate that iron deficiency was a common problem in the infants studied, and the same probably also applies to the community at large.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Serum-IgE levels in rural Namibian infants.

Serum IgE levels were examined in 237 infants ages 2 wk to 12 mo in a remote rural area of Namibia. There was a wide range of values (0.5 to 884 IU/ml). The highest value in the first month of life was 295 IU/ml. Median values for the age groups 2 wk to 3 mo, 3 to 6 mo, and 6 to 12 mo were higher than those reported from Western countries. Values in general increased with age, but only 4% of the variation is explicable on this basis. There were differences between median values for male and female infants, but they did not reach statistical significance at the 5% level. Levels between Baster and Nama infants, the main ethnic groups in the area, did not differ. The median IgE levels in breast-fed infants, although high, tended to be lower than those in weaned infants. The differences were not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). Investigations did not suggest that parasitic infestations or atopy were of significant importance. It was not possible to identify the factor(s) responsible for the high IgE levels. They must have been operative from very early life. However, the basic immunologic mechanisms involved are presumably genetically determined and similar to those responsible for the corresponding high IgG, IgA, and IgM levels reported in infants from developing communities.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1983

Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels in the first year of life.

Free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) levels were measured in 161 infants judged not to be iron-deficient. In addition to high mean FEP levels in cord blood, a significant number of infants had FEP levels in excess of 120 micrograms/dl red blood cells during the first 6 months of life. These levels are comparable to those found in iron-deficient adults. It is concluded that the clinical significance of an FEP level in excess of 120 micrograms/dl and its value as a marker of early iron deficiency during the first 6 months of life require further study. FEP values in excess of 120 micrograms/dl were not observed in infants aged 7-12 months.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Placental size of small-for-gestational-age infants at term.

Placental size was compared between appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) and small-for gestational age (SGA) infants born at term. Placental weight, chorionic plate area and villous surface area were significantly reduced in the SGA infants. Although the ratio of placental weight to birth was similar in the AGA and SGA infants, the latter had significantly underweight placentas for their head circumference and crown-heel length. The ratios of placental weight to assessed brain weight and villous surface area to assessed brain weight were also significantly reduced in the SGA infants. It is concluded that the study SGA infants had both absolutely and relatively small placentas.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1981

Size at birth of infants born at term to coloured primiparas in Cape Town.

An in-depth study was made on the size and body proportions of infants born at term to Coloured primiparas in Cape Town. The infants were lighter and shorter than has been found in most comparative studies, but had some sparing of head growth with normal weight/length proportions. This report provides a standard which will facilitate further studies of fetal growth determinants in this community.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1981

Measurement of zinc and copper levels in breast milk.

Zinc and copper levels in breast milk were measured to assess the accuracy of the analysis and to obtain a range of values for the local population. Samples were collected 7 days after delivery from 48 well-nourished mothers who had given birth to healthy full-term infants. The method was found to be accurate and reproducible provided precautionary measures were taken to avoid sample contamination. A wide variation in values was found in samples from different mothers, however, ranging from 155 to 680 microgram/dl for zinc and from 27 to 90 microgram/dl for copper.

Copper↗
PubMed1980

The relationship of umbilical cord plasma cortisol levels to amniotic fluid infection.

Cord plasma cortisol concentrations were measured in 52 preterm infants and related to amniotic fluid infection as evidenced by positive bacterial cultures. The cortisol levels were significantly raised in the group with an infected intra-uterine environment (519 +/- 158 nm/l) compared with the non-infected group (325 +/- 134 nm/l). This effect was independent of length of gestation, duration of rupture of membranes, or duration of labour. Infants with fetal growth retardation had raised cortisol levels (555 +/- 207 nm/l), while maternal dexamethasone therapy suppressed the levels (197 +/- 76 nm/l). Only 2 infants developed hyaline membrane disease, and in both bacterial culture was negative and cord cortisol levels low (231 and 239 nm/l). It is suggested that amniotic fluid infection may play a role in reducing the incidence of hyaline membrane disease by increasing fetal cortisol production.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1979

The age, nutritional status and major diagnoses of outpatients at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

In 1961 a study of the age, sex, race, nutritional status and common diagnoses of children attending the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town during one 12-month period was reported. A similar study was undertaken during two 2-week periods in 1972--1973. Comparison of the studies shows: (i) that a greater number of older children attended the hospital in 1972/1973; (ii) that the proportion of malnourished children whose percentage of expected weight for age was less than 66% had decreased from 8--10% to 5,5--6%; and (iii) that the overall pattern of disease had not changed appreciably, most of the children presenting with minor or preventable conditions.

Age Factors↗