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Biomedical subjects

H Simpson

Publications and source records attributed to H Simpson.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Estimating the cots required for neonatal intensive care.

Estimates of the number of cots required for neonatal intensive care have been based on recommendations made in 1971 in the Sheldon report, and there is concern that the recommendations are now out of date. Therefore changes in the use of neonatal care within one health region (North-east Thames) during the years 1972, 1974, and 1976 have been examined. It was found that new developments in the sophisticated care of very small and sick babies have placed greater demands on cots and other resources. More babies of very low birthweights are now being cared for in the two units in the region and the average length of stay in hospital is increasing. Criteria have been refined and brought up to date to estimate the likely requirements for neonatal intensive care cots, taking into account recent developments in the care of small babies.

Bed Occupancy↗
PubMed1981

Nebulised cromoglycate, theophylline, and placebo in preschool asthmatic children.

Sixteen children aged under 5 years with chronic asthma completed a double-blind crossover trial of treatment with oral choline theophyllinate (6.7 mg/kg four times daily) and nebulised sodium cromoglycate (20 mg four times daily). The trial comprised three 8-week treatment periods during which active sodium cromoglycate, active choline theophyllinate, and placebo were given in random order. Symptom scores for sleep disturbance, cough, wheeze, and daily activities were similar during the three treatment periods if results were analysed using Friedman's non-parametric analysis of variance. However the Mantel-Haenszel test showed that sodium cromoglycate was superior to placebo (P less than 0.05) in maintaining normal daily activities. Either regimen is safe and well tolerated by young children.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1981

Oculoplethysmography and pulsed Doppler ultrasonic imaging in diagnosis of carotid arterial disease.

The individual and combined diagnostic accuracy rates for fluid-filled oculoplethysmography and pulsed Doppler ultrasonic imaging in the detection of extracranial carotid artery insufficiency were calculated. Results of the two techniques were compared with those of contrast arteriograms which were available for 109 patients, 210 arteries, for computations of sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivities for oculoplethysmography and ultrasonic imaging were 84 and 87 per cent, while specificities were 87 and 81 per cent, respectively. These values were not significantly, p greater than 0.05, different. Results of oculoplethysmography and ultrasonic imaging agreed in four-fifths of the arteries, producing a sensitivity of 98 per cent and a specificity of 97 per cent. In the remaining arteries, the results of the two tests did not agree, resulting in a sensitivity of 71 per cent and a specificity of 79 per cent. Fluid-filled oculoplethysmography and pulsed Doppler ultrasonic imaging are diagnostic tests of comparable accuracy which, when used together, provide accurate hemodynamic and anatomic information in the diagnosis of extracranial carotid arterial disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

When do pregnant women attend for antenatal care?

The case records of a representative sample of 313 women from four health districts in the North-east Thames Health Region were reviewed to determine the stage of pregnancy at which they contact antenatal services. Patients seeking care (when a blood specimen was obtained) after 20 weeks' gestation ranged from 6% to 26%. These women were more likely to be of higher parity and immigrants. Appreciable delays in obtaining an early blood specimen, or in referral to a hospital antenatal clinic, were due to delay by hospitals in giving appointments and, to a lesser extent, to slowness of general practitioners in referring patients or taking blood.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed1979

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. A retrospective review of 103 hospitalised children.

The clinical aspects of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in 103 children under 12 years admitted to hospital over an eight-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Respiratory illnesses occurred in 87 (85%) cases. The prevalence of lower respiratory tract involvement was similar in both pre-school and school children. Cough was the commonest symptom at all ages. Coryzal symptoms and wheeze were common in pre-school children. Most infants had signs of pharyngitis or otitis media. Non-specific symptoms--fever, lethargy, malaise, anorexia and vomiting--were common accompaniments in children older than one year of age. Non-respiratory illnesses in 16 (15%) patients included gastroenteritis, convulsions, non-specific skin rashes and limb pains. The duration of stay in hospital ranged from two to 30 days (median five days) with apparent clinical recovery and resolution of chest X-ray abnormalities within three months in 78 (76%) patients seen for review.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Mycoplasma pneuminia infection. A follow-up study of 50 children with respiratory illness.

Fifty children with a previous history of Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infection were assessed clinically, and pulmonary function tests carried out after an interval ranging from 1 1/2 to 9 1/2 years (median 2 1/2). 23 suffered from recurrent wheezy bronchitis or asthma, and in 5 the index illness appeared to precipitate the wheezing tendency. All were symptom-free when respiratory function tests were performed. Simple tests of ventilatory function (PEFR, FEV, and FVC) were within normal limits. Increased bronchial reactivity after exercise (a fall in PEFR greater than 15% resting value) was demonstrated only in children known to have asthma. Maximum expiratory flow rates in air at 50% of vital capacity (V mas50) were within the normal range in all patients with the exception of two. The response in flow rate at 50% of vital capacity after inalation of an 80% helium and 20% oxygen mixture delta V max50) was reduced (P less than 0.001) in asymptomatic patients with a history of M. pneumoniae respiratory infection, when compared with normal data from 48 healthy schoolchildren without a background of significant respiratory illnesses. These findings indicate impairment of small airways function, even in totally symptom-free children in the study group.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Viral infection as a precipitant of wheeze in children. Combined home and hospital study.

Sixteen children with asthma were studied for one year and viral isolation attempted during all episodes of wheezing. In 91 episodes investigated, 13 viruses were isolated (isolation rate 14%); whereas only one virus was isolated from 120 specimens taken when the children were symptom free. Rhinovirus was the commonest isolate and most were obtained during August, September, October. Episodes of wheezing associated with virus infection were not clinically different not more severe than those due to other precipitants.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Severe ventilatory failure in asthma in children. Experience of 13 episodes over 6 years.

During the 6-year period from 1 October 1971 to 30 September 1977, 13 (about 1%) of 1225 admissions to hospital with asthma developed severe ventilatory failure (peak arterial PCO 2 greater than 8 kPa). Mean age was 4.1 years (2.3--7.9), and on average each patient had been admitted to hospital on 5 occasions during the preceding year. 11 gave a family history of asthma or a personal history of associated allergies. A viral upper respiratory tract infection was the commonest precipitant of wheeze, and in 7 patients the duration of wheeziness before admission to hospital was 12 hours or less. Six (0.5%) patients were treated by mechanical ventilation and all survived. The changing patterns of management during the study period are reviewed.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1978

Season of birth among the sibs of schizophrenics.

The season of birth distribution of 1,039 sibs of Canadian schizophrenic patients was compared with that of births in the Canadian general population over the same time period. The excess of winter births observed among the schizophrenics was not found among their sibs.

Canada↗
PubMed1977

Cerebrospinal fluid acid-base status and lactate and pyruvate concentrations after short (less than 30 minutes) first febrile convulsions in children.

Twenty-nine infants and children with short (less than 30 minutes) first febrile convulsions were studied between 3 and 22 hours after convulsive episodes. Arterial and CSF acid-base variables, lactate and pyruvate concentrations, and lactate/pyruvate ratios were measured. Biochemical signs of cerebral hypoxia were found in only 2 patients, one of whom had short, repeated convulsions. Our findings indicate that hypoxic damage is unlikely to result from a short-duration febrile convulsion.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1977

Cerebrospinal fluid acid-base status and lactate and pyruvate concentrations after convulsions of varied duration and aetiology in children.

Twenty-two infants and children were studied after convulsions of varied cause and duration. Arterial and CSF acid-base variables, lactate and pyruvate concentrations, and lactate/pyruvate ratios were measured between 3 and 18 hours after convulsive episodes. Biochemical signs of cerebral hypoxia were found in 7 patients with prolonged (greater than 30 minutes) or recurrent short convulsions. These signs were absent in patients with single short convulsions. These findings indicate that cerebral hypoxia and possible brain damage is a hazard of prolonged or rapidly recurring short convulsions.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗