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Biomedical subjects

M Manciaux

Publications and source records attributed to M Manciaux.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Pertussis in French adolescents: risk factors and respiratory sequels.

An analysis of the risk factors for pertussis and the possible respiratory sequels was carried out in a sample of 499 children and adolescents aged 10-16 years from the general population in north-eastern France. 44 subjects (8.8%) had pertussis during childhood; and the sex ratio was 1 in these cases. Pertussis was significantly associated with a maternal history of respiratory disease, residence in a rural area and coal heating. In a multiple logistic regression model, a maternal history of respiratory disease was the only significant factor (p = 0.01), the number of siblings being of borderline significance (p = 0.06). No increase in respiratory symptoms or asthma prevalence was found in our subjects who had pertussis during childhood.

Adolescent

[Children's respiratory health and air pollution].

Two surveys--one in children 9-11 living in an industrially polluted area, the other one on younger children in an urban environment--combined the collect of previous health impairments through a standardized questionnaire, clinical examination and respiratory functional testing with automatized air pollution measurement. Results confirmed those of similar surveys, that is the mildness of observed anomalies and the diverging perturbations: clinical symptoms without functional alterations or the reverse. Complementary research is therefore needed, if possible longitudinal.

Air Pollutants

[Value of the restraint systems for security of children under 10 years in motor vehicles].

On the basis of two surveys, the authors study the current status of children's restraint in cars, its consequences on the occurrence of accidental injuries and the ways and means of improving safety. The first survey conducted the long 1988 Whit Sunday week-end by the National police, has reviewed 800 accidental injuries, 9% of which concerning 134 children: 23 children only were restrained, and the comparison with the others allows to estimate the value of the protection insured by various systems of child restraint. The second survey, performed with 277 children of the kindergartens of the Vosges Department, has investigated how they travel in their parents' car: 10.1% report that they are always restrained. An educational campaign has somewhat improved the situation; however, due to the lack of support by the parents, it quickly deteriorated. A specific effort is to be done, in France, as it has been in other countries, where pediatricians are cooperating with policymakers in order to improve children's safety in cars.

Accidents, Traffic

Child health care policy and delivery in France.

Medical and social protection of mothers, infants, and children began in France more than a century ago. A number of laws and regulations have improved the system, which is discussed in detail. The discussion includes an overview of health policy, service delivery, and the financing of care. Is the current French system of Maternal and Child Health responsible for the good health of today's children? This question is addressed through selected examples. Finally, failures and short-comings of the system are described, including the persistence of underserved groups, unequal access to care, and other problems. Solutions are feasible, and some are now being implemented.

Adolescent

Unintended injuries in children: the French situation.

The French situation with respect to mortality from unintentional injuries in children is far from satisfactory. International comparison is made difficult by statistical bias, but although excess injury mortality is decreasing in France, rates are higher than in most advanced European countries. Many regulations have been enacted during the past 30 years to reduce the economic and social burden of injuries, but political will is insufficient to establish a consolidated national program and enforcement of existing legislation is inadequate. Evaluation of preventive and educational programs is less than optimal; many attempts have not met basic methodologic requirements. The situation is improving, partly because of growing social concern. New regulations are in preparation, but solution of this major public health problem also demands behavioral change, which is much more difficult to effect than other measures. Greater commitment to research, proper evaluation of sound programs, and enforcement of existing law doubtless would reduce the excess morbidity and mortality resulting from unintended injuries to children.

Accidents

Postneonatal infectious disease mortality: the French situation.

Mortality caused by infectious and parasitic diseases represents a limited part of all postneonatal deaths in France, which have been stable for the past decade. This component is worthy of careful analysis because it is at least partially preventable. Statistics are presented and interpreted, with discussion on which disorders should be included in assessing the impact of infection on morbidity and mortality. Figures and international rankings change according to the inclusiveness of the definition chosen. There is need for epidemiologic and statistical research to make comparisons of mortality more clear. Morbidity is also important because of high incidence, frequent hospitalization, and a heavy social cost. Policy and services in France that relate to control and treatment of infection are described, as are shortcomings that call for further efforts.

Cause of Death

[Current status of teaching pediatrics in France in the medical curriculum].

On the basis of a surgery performed by a questionnaire sent to all French medical schools (44, out of them 30 replied), the authors describe the current status of the teaching of pediatrics at undergraduate level. The 1970 reform, introducing a block teaching system, made easier to teach pediatrics made easier to teach pediatrics as an autonomous entity. But it leaves a lot to do with a view to improving the situation - in spite of the excessive number of students - by a better definition of the pedogogical objectives, a better integration of basic sciences, a broader place for small group and bedside teaching, a greater emphasis on the social aspects of pediatrics, and by the organisation, for the more motivated students, of optional courses.

Curriculum