Biomedical subjects

L Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to L Kennedy.

135 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori gastritis in a child with sickle cell anemia and recurrent abdominal pain.

PURPOSE: Recurrent abdominal pain is a common complaint in children with sickle cell disease. Helicobacter pylori gastritis has recently been described in association with recurrent abdominal pain in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case report is given of a 16-year-old black male with hemoglobin SS disease presenting with recurrent abdominal pain and hematemesis. RESULTS: Endoscopic exam of the upper gastrointestinal tract revealed gastritis, and biopsy confirmed H. pylori infection. Serology studies demonstrated increased anti-H. pylori antibody titers. The young man responded well to treatment, with resolution of his symptoms. CONCLUSION: Helicobacter pylori infection is a new diagnostic consideration for children with recurrent abdominal pain and should be included in the differential diagnosis of children with sickle cell disease, especially when abdominal pain is recurrent and accompanied by vomiting. Larger case studies will be necessary to determine the true incidence of H. pylori in children with sickle cell disease and recurrent abdominal pain.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of fluctuations in albumin on serum fructosamine assay.

Serum fructosamine, albumin and plasma glucose were studied in eight patients during recovery from diabetic ketoacidosis, and in eight patients with "decompensated" diabetes without acidosis. In the ketoacidotic group, serum fructosamine had fallen significantly by a mean of 12% by 8h, and fell further during the remainder of the study. A smaller but significant fall in fructosamine (mean 6.1%) was seen in the decompensated group after only 18 h, with again a further fall thereafter. These changes in serum fructosamine were accompanied by decreases in serum albumin. However, when fructosamine was corrected by calculating a fructosamine/albumin index (FAI) (fructosamine X 100/albumin), the FAI did not change significantly in either group until a small reduction was noted in the ketoacidotic group at 5 days, which might reasonably be expected as an index of intermediate-term glycaemia. Therefore minor fluctuations in albumin levels seen in diabetic patients can affect fructosamine, and correction may be be advisable for the test to be a valid measure of glycosylated serum proteins.

Acidosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied