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Biomedical subjects

R Kurz

Publications and source records attributed to R Kurz.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Effect of aminophylline therapy in mature infants with sleep apnea syndrome].

Pneumograms of 33 fullterm infants (age 1-16 weeks) with idiopathic sleep apnea syndrome (SAS), treated with aminophyllin administered orally, were compared with pneumograms of 12 age-matched infants without aminophyllin treatment. In a one hour oxycardiorespirography (OCRG) all infants had pneumogram abnormalities defined as apneas greater than or equal to 15 s, greater than or equal to 3 apneas lasting 10 s, MA-value (mean duration of all apneas during sleep time) greater than or equal to 7 s/min, and greater than or equal to 3 episodes of periodic breathing. The diagnosis of an SAS, discussed as a possible risk factor of SIDS, was made in general in the presence of clinical symptoms such as apneas, cyanosis during sleep, poorly coordinated sucking, swallowing and respiration, and gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in combination with an abnormal pneumogram. Of the 33 infants 12 with a history of an SIDS sibling were clinically asymptomatic. We found that after one week of aminophyllin treatment in 88% the pneumograms were normal. The mean plasma concentration of aminophyllin at this time was 8.3 micrograms/ml (range 4-19 micrograms/ml). All abnormalities showed a statistically significant reduction. In the infants without aminophyllin the pneumogram was still abnormal and no abnormality was significantly reduced. After at least 6 weeks we discontinued aminophyllin and one week later we monitored the OCRG. In 83% of the infants we found a normal pneumogram and compared to the initial pneumogram there was again a statistically significant difference.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1988

[Retrospective study of incidents of sudden death (SIDS) in 80 infants].

The parents of 80 victims of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) participated in this retrospective study. The semistructured interview included questions concerning events preceding infants' death and the situation at the discovery of the death. Fifty-eight of the 80 SIDS victims were male, twenty-two were female. Fourty-four of the babies underwent a postmortem examination. There was a high incidence of death during the winter months and concerning the hour of the day in the morning hours. Most families (91%) had no socioeconomic difficulties--in contrast to reports of other authors. In 34% of the SIDS cases the parents reported about stress or irregularities of the daily family life cycle (journey, mayor family events, quarrels) immediately before the death of the baby. About 20% of the victims were not in the usual surrounding at the time of death. In about 30% of the SIDS victims an infection was observed. Since between the 2nd and 4th month of life a major neuronal reorganization in the central nervous system is assumed (Prechtl, 1984), stress during this period may be particularly effective and dangerous for the baby. This would explain the high incidence of SIDS during this vulnerable phase (60%) in which the baby, apparently, is unable to react properly.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1987

Circadian variation and age dependence of human atrial natriuretic peptide levels in hospitalized patients.

Circadian variation of plasma levels of human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) was studied in 8 patients less than or equal to 65 a of age (mean +/- SD = 43.8 +/- 13 a; 5 females, 3 males) and in 15 patients greater than 65 years of age (mean +/- SD = 81.4 +/- 5.7 a; 9 females, 6 males). Intraindividual variation was up to 40% relative to the day's mean level in both groups. A significant elevation of hormone levels in the evening was observed in patients greater than 65 years of age (P less than 0.002), no circadian rhythm could be detected in patients less than or equal to 65 years of age. All patients except the two eldest had average plasma levels of hANP within our normal range of 3-75 ng/l (N = 106; mean +/- SD = 29.9 +/- 15.3), found in healthy persons up to 65 years of age. We propose, that in the elderly hANP levels rise during the day by edema because of latent renal and/or cardial insufficiency. At rest, in the evening and during the night edema is eliminated by the well known nycturia, which might well be facilitated or at least partially caused by elevated levels of hANP.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Quantitative determination of LP-X in the differential diagnosis and treatment of direct hyperbilirubinemia in infancy].

Quantitative measurements of serum concentrations of LP-X were performed in 45 newborn and infants. The changes of LP-X concentrations before and after a 2-3 weeks' course of cholestyramine therapy differentiated extrahepatic biliary atresia (n = 6) from other causes of neonatal liver disease with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 78.6 to 84.6% and an efficiency of 81.3 to 86.7%. The efficiency was decreased in children with alcoholic stools (75-80%). Cholestyramine treatment of 3-7 days did not allow to diagnose all children with extrahepatic biliary atresia. However, the test was superior to a combination of single measurements of LP-X and GGT. The changes of LP-X concentrations in serum were influenced by the individual course of the disease but not by the synthetic function of the liver (as indicated by CHE activities) or by parenteral nutrition or bacterial infections. LP-X was a valuable parameter in the management of cholestyramine therapy in infants with liver diseases.

Biliary Atresia↗
PubMed1987

Effects of sex and age on growth hormone response to growth hormone-releasing hormone in healthy individuals.

The influence of age and sex on human GH secretion is controversial. In previous studies, serum GH responses to arginine and insulin-induced hypoglycemia were significantly higher in pre- and postovulatory women than in men. In contrast, recent studies suggest that GH responsiveness to GHRH is higher in normal young men than in age-matched women. To clarify the question of sex and age influence on GHRH-(1-44)-stimulated GH secretion, we studied 116 normal women and men (with body mass indexes of 18-25 and 19-26, respectively) between the ages of 18 and 95 yr. The peak serum GH increments after GHRH administration were significantly higher in premenopausal women than in age-matched men (P less than 0.003 for the age group 18-30 yr and P less than 0.03 for the age group 30-50 yr, as assessed by analysis of variance). The responses were not different in postmenopausal women and age-matched men. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between GHRH-induced GH responses (integrated area under the curve) and age in both women (P less than 0.002) and men (P less than 0.001). In addition, we determined basal serum testosterone, estradiol, cortisol, and PRL levels in all subjects. Multivariate regression analysis of the GH responses to GHRH administration revealed a significant positive correlation (P less than 0.01) between serum estradiol and both GH increase and the area under the GH response curve. No correlation was found between GHRH-stimulated GH secretion and basal serum cortisol, testosterone, or PRL concentrations. Our data clearly demonstrate a marked influence of both sex and age on GHRH-stimulated GH secretion. We found a higher GH increase in premenopausal women compared with age matched-men and an age-dependent decrease in GHRH-stimulated GH secretion in both sexes. Furthermore, in women a significant influence of estradiol on GH secretion after GHRH administration could be demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Tolerability of a new vitamin K1 preparation for parenteral administration to adults: one case of anaphylactoid reaction.

The efficacy and tolerability of a conventional vitamin K1 preparation containing polyoxyethylated castor oil as solubilizer were compared with those of a new compound containing mixed micelles as solubilizer in 30 patients. A statistically significant increase in the thrombotest was detected after treatment in both groups. No hematological or chemical toxicity was observed during the observation period. One patient had an anaphylactoid reaction after intravenous injection of the mixed micelles preparation. Intradermal testing yielded positive results. The authors conclude that intravenous administration of vitamin K preparations should be reserved for acute emergencies.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Our responsibility to children].

The significant advances in medicine during this century have led to a shift in emphasis in paediatrics: whilst two thirds of all infant deaths still result from complications during the neonatal period, the sudden infant death syndrome has come to the fore, and in older children accidents and malignant disease account for most deaths. Chronic illness, physical disabilities and psychological disturbance are constantly gaining increased importance. I suggest four principal answers to the problems concerning children today: Scientific research taking into account the child's personality as a basis of real progress: Accentuation of health education in paediatrics; Training of cybernetic thinking--with respect to the child as a psychosomatic unity, the multifactorial pathogenesis of several diseases, and interdisciplinary teamwork between doctors and scientists. Empathetic attitude to the child as a special entity and wholly valid human being, with specific needs at each stage of development.

Austria↗
PubMed1986

Experiences in the treatment of esophageal atresia with Rehbein's olive technique.

During the past few years four children with esophageal atresia without lower fistula were treated with the thread-and-olive method according to Rehbein. Our experiences indicate that excellent results can be achieved if the thread is inserted early, endoscopically, and olive bougienage is performed at short intervals. Tracheoscopy should be mandatory prior to the start of treatment, since we observed an upper fistula in three of four cases. Endoscopic thread insertion may lead to perforation of the main bronchus; control tracheo-bronchoscopy must therefore be done immediately following insertion. Perforation of the main bronchus turned out to be harmless, so the maneuver can be repeated after a few days. Two of the four infants died of congenital malformations. Therapy was not related to the fatal outcome in either case. One of the survivors has practically normal esophageal motor function with proven propulsive peristalsis. Esophageal stenosis had to be resected in the second survivor; this was followed by massive gastroesophageal reflux with esophagitis and disturbed gastric motility, rendering subsequent fundoplication and pyloroplasty necessary.

Esophageal Atresia↗
PubMed1986

Effects of naloxone on apnoea duration during sleep in infants at risk for SIDS.

The effects of intravenous injections of the opiate antagonist naloxone (0.005-0.4 mg/kg body weight) on respiratory pattern, apnoea duration and frequency were investigated in six infants with severe sleep apnoea syndrome. Since several authors found elevated plasma- and CSF-levels of endogenous opioids (endorphines) in infants with sleep apnoea syndrome, we wanted to determine whether the impairment of the control mechanisms of respiration during sleep is due to an effect of endogenous opioids. Independent of the dose, naloxone did not exert any effect on respiratory pattern and occurrence of periodic apnoea. We were unable to prove that endorphines play a major role in pathogenesis of sleep apnoea syndrome in infancy and possibly in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). We speculate that elevated levels of endorphines reported by some investigators rather seem to be a consequence of hypoxic stress than a cause for sleep apnoeas.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1986

[Antibiotic treatment of perforated appendicitis in childhood--a prospective study].

A prospective randomised study (I) was carried out on 130 children undergoing laparotomy for perforated appendicitis. The present study evaluates the therapeutic effectiveness of different antibiotic regimens in modifying the rate of post-operative complications (intraabdominal abscess, ileus, wound infiltration or abscess). During the first year of this study two treatment groups were used. Group A consisted of 29 children treated with Sulfometrol/Trimethoprim; the rate of postoperative complications was 44.8%. Group B consisted of 36 children treated with mezlocillin, the rate of complications being 13.8%. However, the same treatment with mezlocillin during the second year of the prospective study showed an increase of this rte to 39% (28 children--group C). The final group of 37 children was treated during the second year with mezlocillin and metronidazole (group D). The postoperative rate of complications was 10.8%. A retrospective analysis of further 80 children (study II) with perforated appendicitis treated with mezlocillin and metronidazole showed a consistent low rate of postoperative complications at 10.2%. In 6.8% of children studied, an operative intervention was necessary (four cases of ileus, four wound abscesses). The mean postoperative hospitalisation period decreased from 22.7 days in group A to 15.2 days in group D and finally to 14 days in study II. The present study shows that an effective and persistent attenuation of the rate of postoperative complications after perforated appendicitis in children depends on an early onset of therapy and on the appropriate choice of antibiotic drugs that are effective against aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1986

[Immunologic findings in oral pertussis vaccination].

Whooping cough specific surface IgA antibodies, agglutinating serum IgG antibodies and the in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to Bordetella pertussis germs were investigated in newborns and infants both unvaccinated and parenterally and orally immunized against whooping cough. Furthermore the E-rosette formation and the lymphocyte reactivity to phytohaemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A were studied. Only oral pertussis immunisation effected a local immune reaction with formation of secretory surface IgA antibodies in the saliva and prevented the postnatal disappearance of the Bordetella pertussis specific IgG antibodies seen in unvaccinated infants. From the third month of life the lymphocyte reactivity to a Bordetella pertussis germ suspension resulted in measurable stimulation following oral whooping cough vaccination. After the third month of life the pertussis stimulation indices of the orally immunized infants remained above the values for adults with a history of whooping cough and were equivalent to those for the parenterally immunized infants.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1986

[Studies of brain stem function in infants with apnea syndrome using acoustically evoked brain stem potentials and heart rate variability].

Twenty-four infants aged between 6 days and 7 months and 2 infants (16 m and 3 y) were subjects of combined brain-stem auditory evoked potential and heart rate variability measurements. Ten infants had a sleep apnea syndrome and one a Near miss sudden infant death syndrome; thirteen infants formed the control group. Seventeen of the twenty-six infants had normal, age-depended brain stem potentials. All infants of the apnea syndrome-group, which had no therapy, had increased I to V interpeak latencies outside of the one-sigma level, the six infants treated with aminophylline were within the normal range. Heart rate variability measurements revealed the following mean +/- standard deviation of the control group: 4.5% +/- 1.5%; of the apnea syndrome-group without therapy: 5.4% +/- 2.0%.

Aminophylline↗