Biomedical subjects

N Beyers

Publications and source records attributed to N Beyers.

96 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1981

Iatrogenic hyperosmolality in a neonate. A case report.

An infant presented in the first week postpartum with markedly elevated serum osmolality of unknown origin. The cryptic osmols were identified as glycerol and alcohol and were traced to the contents of local phenobarbitone elixir administered to control neonatal convulsions. This report highlights the importance of recognizing the potential dangers inherent in the nominally inert components of medication and stresses the extreme care required when modifying well-established formulations.

Drug Combinations↗

PubMed1979

The nephrotic syndrome in families.

Six families, each with 2 siblings suffering from the nephrotic syndrome, are reported. The incidence, causes, clinical picture and management of the nephrotic syndrome occurring in families are discussed, as well as possible ways of preventing this syndrome.

Child↗

PubMed1978

Depressed skull fracture in the newborn. A report of 3 cases.

Three cases of depressed skull fractures in neonates are reported. Two of the fractures were related to birth trauma, but the third probably occurred antenatally. Treatment differed in all 3 cases. One baby underwent surgical elevation of the fracture, and another vacuum elevation, while the third received no treatment. We stress the fact that non-surgical elevation of depressed skull fracture may be successful and preferable to more drastic surgical procedures.

Female↗

PubMed1978

The fetal alcohol syndrome.

Four cases of the fetal alcohol syndrome are described, and the clinical features are reviewed. The most consistently found features are pre- and postnatal growth retardation, small palpebral fissures and mental deficiency. In view of this, chronic alcoholic women shold avoid pregnancy until they have weaned off alcohol, but should it occur then the question of termination must be considered.

Body Height↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Static bone histomorphometry in preterm and term babies.

The nature and pathophysiology of the bone loss which occurs in term and especially preterm neonates are poorly understood, and it is unclear whether this neonatal osteopenia results from impaired bone formation or increased bone resorption. This study compared the static bone histomorphometry of preterm and term babies, employing iliac crest bone biopsy specimens obtained postmortem. All the babies died within the first 6 days of life and none had any clinical, biochemical or radiologic evidence of metabolic bone disease. The trabecular bone volume, as well as static parameters of bone formation (OV/TV, OV/BV, OS/BS, OB.S/BS) did not differ significantly in preterm and term babies. Although time-spaced tetracycline labelling could not be employed in the present study, evidence of rickets was not apparent. Parameters of bone resorption in preterm babies were, however, significantly higher (p = 0.01) than those of term babies, suggesting that increased bone resorption and not impaired formation, underlies the development of osteopenia in the preterm neonate.

Biopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

High turnover osteopenia in preterm babies.

Osteopenia is common in preterm babies, but its pathogenesis is uncertain. In this study bone density in babies was quantitated, postnatal bone mineralization compared to expected intrauterine bone mineralization and the pathogenesis of osteopenia investigated. Healthy babies (103 term, 76 preterm) were examined clinically, biochemically and radiologically the day after birth and at a time corresponding to expected full term gestation. Appendicular bone density was quantitated by magnification radiogrammetry, using the humeral cortical index (CI). The CI of preterm and term babies was similar the day after birth. In preterm babies elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and high urinary hydroxyproline indicated increased bone turnover. The CI of preterm babies at expected full term gestation was lower (p = 0.0001) than that of term babies at birth, implying that postnatal bone mineralization lagged behind expected intrauterine bone mineralization. Radiologic data suggested increased endosteal resorption rather than decreased bone formation. At expected full term gestation the preterm babies had higher serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary calcium, phosphate, c-AMP and hydroxyproline (p = 0.0001) than term babies at birth, and 15% had periosteal reactions. The biochemical as well as the radiologic data therefore indicated high turnover osteopenia in preterm babies. We conclude that postnatal bone mineralization in preterm babies lagged significantly behind expected intrauterine bone mineralization and that the osteopenia observed in preterm babies is caused by increased bone resorption and not by decreased bone formation. The cause(s) of this high turnover osteopenia, however, remains to be ascertained.

Bone Density↗