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Biomedical subjects

J D Vince

Publications and source records attributed to J D Vince.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hepatitis B surface and e antigen seropositivity in mothers and cord blood at Port Moresby General Hospital: implications for a control program.

Analysis of 100 unselected paired maternal and cord blood samples showed 11 mothers to be HBsAg positive and 6 of these to be also HBeAg positive. 5 cord blood samples were HBsAg positive and 3 were HBeAg positive. Assuming a protective efficacy rate of 75%, the present plasma-derived hepatitis B virus vaccine control program is likely to prevent the perinatal acquisition of the hepatitis B virus carrier state in 27 per 1000 children. The addition of immunoglobulin prophylaxis would be likely to reduce this by another 5 per 1000, but its use does not appear practicable at the present time.

Adult↗

McKusick-Kaufman syndrome: report of an instructive family.

We report on two sisters and their brother, all of whom are affected by McKusick-Kaufman syndrome. This sibship confirms autosomal recessive inheritance and the occurrence of the syndrome in Melanesians. It also demonstrates multisystem involvement in both sexes and illustrates difficulties in the diagnosis and management of hydrocolpos.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Childhood malignant tumours in Papua New Guinea.

Data from the Papua New Guinea Tumour Registry and the Central Pathology Department were reviewed in order to document the incidence and pattern of malignancies in children in Papua New Guinea. Altogether, 680 cases of histologically defined childhood malignancies were recorded during the 14.5 years from 1971 to 1985. The frequencies of the various tumours were compared with past data and with published data from other countries. The incidence of malignancies in Papua New Guinean children appeared to be low, 36.5/1,000,000/year, with a male:female ratio of 1.6:1. Lymphoma was the most commonly occurring tumour and Burkitt's tumour accounted for 53% in this group. The relative frequency of leukaemia compared with lymphoma appeared to have increased since a previous report. A relatively high incidence of retinoblastoma (6.9%) and of other embryonal tumours (4.8%) was recorded, whilst the recorded incidences of tumours of the central nervous system (3.8%) and neuroblastoma (3.7%) were low. Ewing's sarcoma accounted for almost half of the bone tumours, whilst Kaposi's sarcoma was a relatively frequent soft tissue tumour. Differences and similarities between the Papua New Guinea data and those from other countries are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Treatment and outcome of venomous snake bite in children Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.

The case reports of 54 patients from 2 to 16 years of age admitted with snake bite to Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea, over a period of 38 months were reviewed. The case fatality rate was 7.7%. The commonest pattern of toxicity was a combination of neurological deficit and coagulation disturbance, but other patterns were recorded. Treatment included antivenom in 49 patients and endotracheal intubation in 16. The response to treatment was analysed to discover factors associated with a complicated course or a fatal outcome. Early administration of antivenom reduced the need for intubation. Reactions to antivenom were reduced by the use of hydrocortisone and promethazine together. Children 5 years of age or less formed a high risk group. Recommendations are made concerning the use of antivenom, hydrocortisone plus promethazine, and intubation, which may result in the saving of both lives and money.

Antivenins↗

Serum bilirubin levels in Melanesian neonates.

The pattern of early neonatal serum bilirubin levels in a population of normal fullterm healthy Melanesian babies was determined. The mean (and standard deviation) of cord blood serum bilirubin from 98 babies was 1.2 (1.4) mg/dl (20.5 (23.9) mumol/l). Between 24 and 60 h of age the mean serum bilirubin from 99 babies was 8 (3.5) mg/dl (136.8 (59.85) mumol/l). Seventeen babies excluded from the main study group because of factors known to predispose to neonatal jaundice had a mean serum bilirubin of 10.7 mg/dl (183 mumol/l). In the early neonatal period, Melanesian babies have a mean serum bilirubin level higher than that reported for Caucasian but lower than that reported for Asian babies. Genetic factors are the most likely explanation for these differences.

Bilirubin↗

Strongyloides species infestation in young infants of papu, New Guinea: association with generalized oedema.

Clinical and laboratory details of thirteen infants with "Swollen Belly Sickness" who has abdominal distension, respiratory distress, generalised oedema, and variable disturbance of gastrointestinal function were analysed. The intimate connection between the syndrome and infection with Strongyloides species closely resembling Strongyloides fulleborni - is discussed, and a standard treatment using thiabendazole, plasma transfusion and antibiotics, is proposed.

Blood Transfusion↗

Avoidance of anencephalic and spina bifida births by maternal serum-alphafetoprotein screening.

Screening of 11 585 pregnant women between 16 and 20 completed weeks' gestation for raised serum-alphafetoprotein (A.F.P.) levels showed that the birth of 81.4% of babies with open neural-tube defects could be avoided. The screening test was sensitive enough to detect 93% of those affected and serum-A.F.P. levels above the point at which intervention shouldbe considered were found in 1.7% of pregnancies. After 75.2% of false-positives had been excluded by ultrasonography or by a repeat of the serum test, only 0.63% of pregnancies proceeded to amniocentesis, 46.6% of amniocenteses showed raised amniotic A.F.P. levels due to fetal abnormality. Fetal loss by abortion or perinatal death after amniocentesis occurred in 0.034% of pregnancies screeded, 75% being associated with threatened abortion before amniocentesis. There were no terminations of normal pregnancies due to false-positive amniotic A.F.P. results. It is concluded that voluntary maternal serum-A.F.P. screening has a valuable role in antenatal care.

Amniocentesis↗

A semi-automated serum alphafetoprotein radioimmunoassay for prenatal spina bifida screening.

A simple, reliable, semi-automated and inexpensive radioimmunoassay for serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) is described which fulfils the requirements for a screening test for open neural tube defects. The normal range for serum AFP throughout pregnancy has been determined in 1534 samples. In a retrospective study of 15 samples of maternal serum taken from nine pregnant women carrying a fetus affected with a neural tube defect, the serum AFP level was found to be above the 95th centile in four of the five cases of open defect sampled between 15 and 20 weeeks gestation. Preliminary results of a prospective study are reported in which two cases of nencephaly were detected among 671 unselected pregnancies sampled between 15 and 20 weeks gestation.

Adolescent↗