Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M M Reid

Publications and source records attributed to M M Reid.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Study of heart rate variability in sick newborn infants.

Heart rate variability has been studied in a group of 66 newborn infants for periods of up to 72 hours from birth. Long term variability was reduced in infants suffering from the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome and this was more marked with severe respiratory distress requiring mechanical ventilation. Persistent reduction in long term variability was associated with increased mortality. Reduction in heart rate variability may be due to high levels of sympathetic activity.

Heart Rate↗

Virus infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The pattern of virus isolation and illness was studied in 64 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) during periods of apparent infection and when the children were well. The virus isolation rate of 2.2 viruses per child a year is similar to that previously found in normal children. In only 32% of children with symptoms were viruses found and 14.5% had viruses isolated when asymptomatic. The children with ALL appear to be more vulnerable to multiple virus infections and to excrete the virus for longer periods. This may be due to failure of production of both local and systemic antibodies. The failure in the past to recognise the true importance of virus infections in ALL may have been due to inadequate diagnostic techniques.

Adolescent↗

Sinusoidal heart rate rhythms in severe neonatal hypoxia.

Sinusoidal heart rate traces were detected in 8 patients, 6 of whom died; the 2 survivors showed evidence of gross cerebral damage. It is felt that the origin of the sinusoidal curve is probably central and reflects loss of central control of heart rate.

Female↗

Neutrophil function in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in the presence and absence of viral infections.

Neutrophil function was assessed regularly in 26 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in remission, both when they were well and during viral infections. Tests of candidacidal ability when these children were apparently free of infection showed a trend towards lower levels compared with controls. The most pronounced depression of candidacidal ability and chemotaxis was during viral infections, and these two functions of neutrophils were more likely to be abnormal then than when the children were free of infection. In children with ALL in remission, whose neutrophils may function abnormally even when they are well, the risk of acquiring bacterial or fungal infections may be made greater by virus infections.

Candida albicans↗

Levamisole in the treatment of cyclical neutropenia.

A child with cyclical neutropenia was observed before and during treatment with levamisole. Marked clinical improvement occurred while on levamisole. Deterioration occurred after stopping treatment. The improvement was not associated with changes in the neutrophil or monocyte counts, nor did tests of phagocytic cell function convincingly demonstrate improvement while the child was on treatment.

Agranulocytosis↗

Neonatal death in Northern Ireland.

A survey of neonatal deaths occurring over two years in Northern Ireland disclosed that many hospitals where babies could be born probably could not be staffed and equipped to deal effectively with major perinatal problems. The incidence of congenital malformations, especially neural tube defects, was high. A reduction in neonatal deaths from this cause might be expected if facilities for antenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy were made available, although this raises grave ethical problems. Many infants died of prematurity and the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome. A considerable reduction in neonatal deaths might be expected with improved care at the place of delivery backed by a regional centre with facilities for transporting and treating severely ill infants needing intensive care.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

Pelvis-shoulder dysplasia.

Pelvis-shoulder dysplasia is rare skeletal dysplasia characterised by symmetrical hypoplasia of the iliac wings and scapulae. It may be associated with unstable hips in infancy, a prominent lumbar lordosis and a waddling gait. Symptoms tend to lessen with increasing age. A child with this condition who has been followed up to the age of five years is described. Her pelvic dysplasia is milder than in previous cases and has caused no disability. Minor skeletal abnormalities are also present in the lumbar spine, femora and rib cage. Radiography of other members of the family was normal.

Bone Diseases, Developmental↗

Role of infection in the death of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Twenty-four consecutive deaths from a total of 70 children receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have been reviewed. An attempt has been made to ascribe the cause of death to either infection, haemorrhage, the leukaemia itself, or a combination of these factors. No child was free of infection at death. Infection, with or without haemorrhage, was responsible for the deaths of all 15 children whose leukaemia had not relapsed. Although infection was present at death in all 9 children whose leukaemia had relapsed, the leukaemia process itself was also a major contributing factor. Viruses were associated with death in many of the children and may be emerging as important pathogens in children with ALL. Familiarity with a protocol may be an important factor in the prevention of fatal infections in such children. Centralization of treatment is necessary if this expertise is to be acquired.

Acute Disease↗

Serial studies of numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Serial studies of numbers of circulating T and B lymphocytes at monthly intervals in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia showed a marked fall in the number of B cells, relatively greater than that of T cells, early in the course of maintenance chemotherapy and immediately after a course of cranial irradiation. The fall in the number of B cell is not a consequence of long-term chemotherapy, and is possibly related to a specific event such as cranial irradiation.

Acute Disease↗

Aspiration cytology in breast cancer. Its relevance to diagnosis.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology as a routine method in the management of breast disease was assessed in 237 patients presenting with a breast lump. The diagnostic accuracy of the method was 95.5% in both benign and malignant lesions. Fine needle aspiration is a safe procedure with an accuracy exceeding that of other diagnostic methods; it does not replace frozen-section histology but improves the management of breast disease by giving accurate preoperative diagnosis.

Adolescent↗