Biomedical subjects

O Pettay

Publications and source records attributed to O Pettay.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1977

Perinatal cytomegalovirus infection in man.

In a prospective study of 148 children from urbanized southern Finland 3 were found to be congenitally and 48 perinatally infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), while 6 developed "late" infection during the first year of life. During pregnancy and the first year after delivery 23 of the mothers had no CMV antibodies; none of the children of these seronegative mothers developed any type of CMV infection. Fresh blood exchange transfusions did not increase the risk of CMV infection. The data support the hypothesis that the mother is the source of perinatal CMV infection. Children with a low birthweight not due to prematurity, and first children seem to run a greater risk of acquiring perinatal CMV infection. If the child is breast fed up to the age of 2 months the risk seems to be increased. Perinatal CMV infection gave rise to no symptoms or signs and had no effect on growth or on motor and psychosocial development during the first year of life.

Birth Order↗

PubMed1976

Vaccination against meningococcal group A disease in Finland 1974-75.

Meningococcal group A polysaccharide vaccine was used in children 3 months to 5 years of age in the winter 1974-75 during an epidemic caused by sulphanamide-resistant group A meningococci. In 3 provinces, the vaccine was offered on a double-blind basis, using Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccaride vaccine as control. Approximately 100 000 children were vaccinated with either one of the vaccines. In the Kymi province, approximately 22 000 children representing 90% of the child population of this age received the meningococcus vacine. Infants below 18 months received a booster dose of vaccine 3 months after the first dose. The meningococcus vaccine caused local symptoms in 71%, mild systemic reactions in 37%, and high fever (38.5 degrees C or more) in 1.8% The haemophilus vaccine produced fewer side effects. No clinical infections caused by group A meningococci were reported in the first 6 months after vaccination among those who had received the meningococcal vaccine. At the same time, group A cases continued to appear in other age groups and other areas of the country.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

An epidemic due to sulphonamide-resistant group A meningococci in the Helsinki area (Finland). Epidemiological and clinical observations.

An epidemic due to sulphonamide-resistant group A meningococci started in Finland in January 1973. By the end of 1974 the number of cases exceeded 1300. This report describes epidemiological and clinical observations in 370 patients treated in Helsinki 1973-1974. The incidence was about 65 per 100 000 per year in children under 7 years of age and about 10 per 100 000 in adults. More than one case occurred in 3.8% of the families and in 36% of the lodging-houses of the lowest social group. The fatality rate of patients treated in hospital was 4.1%. Persistent neurological damage was noticed in 4.6%.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1975