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Biomedical subjects

S K Chong

Publications and source records attributed to S K Chong.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Endocrine dysfunction in children with Crohn's disease.

A series of 14 children with Crohn's disease and growth retardation was screened for endocrine dysfunction. Four children presented with growth failure. All had normal cortisol responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Ten children had normal growth hormone responses in the same test, while four had abnormal responses. Gonadotrophin responsiveness to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) paralleled the clinical evidence of puberty, or its lack. Serum total thyroxine was normal in every patient, while serum total triiodothyronine was low in six; in these six patients serum triiodothyronine normalised with treatment. Serum folate was subnormal in 13 patients and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in all at the time of diagnosis. Our results demonstrate a spectrum of endocrine changes seen in children with Crohn's disease, particularly prepubertal gonadotrophin responses to LHRH and a relative preservation of growth hormone and cortisol responsiveness to hypoglycaemia, with a defect in thyroxine to triiodothyronine conversion in severely ill children. Serum folate and sedimentation rate may be useful screening tests for Crohn's disease in a child presenting with failure of growth.

Adolescent↗

In vitro effect of Panax ginseng on phytohaemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation.

The effect of hydrocortisone or Panax ginseng, and/or a combination of hydrocortisone and Panax ginseng on phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P)-induced transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in 4 normal healthy adult volunteers. Increasing concentrations of Panax ginseng 0.16-1.60 micrograms X ml-1 caused a dose-related inhibition of PHA-P transformation of lymphocytes. A combination of 500 micrograms X ml-1 hydrocortisone and 0.80 micrograms X ml-1 Panax ginseng produced a greater suppression of PHA-P stimulation than either drug used alone. This suggests that Panax ginseng has a steroid-like effect in vitro, and may have a potentiating effect with hydrocortisone on T-cell-mediated immunity.

Adult↗

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease in childhood.

The diagnosis of Crohn's disease in childhood has been facilitated by the use of fibreoptic endoscopy with biopsies, complemented by double-contrast radiology. Clinical suspicion leads initially to several relevant blood tests. These are followed by endoscopy and multiple colonic biopsies or barium follow-through studies depending on whether large-bowel or small-bowel disease is suspected. The present approach to diagnosis is based on corroborative investigative techniques-endoscopy, radiology, and histology, The availability of paediatric colonoscopes of small diameter should make it possible for paediatricians to perform limited examinations, but when more extensive endoscopy is indicated the child should be referred to special centres.

Child↗

Prevalence of immunoglobulin G to Helicobacter pylori among endoscopy nurses/technicians.

The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) seropositivity among gastroenterology nurses and technicians with that of the general population. Nurses attending the 1996 Indiana Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates Spring and Fall Education Courses were asked to complete a checklist regarding employment, current symptoms, and use of universal precautions, and to have 3 ml blood drawn. These 138 blood specimens as well as 112 serum samples from generally age- and sex-matched blood donors (representing the general population) underwent qualitative HP antibody testing. Results showed that the prevalence of seropositivity for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody for HP among the gastroenterology nurses and technicians was 19 of 138 (13.8%), which was less than that of the blood donor control group, whose seropositivity was 20 of 112 (17.9%). However, this difference failed to reach statistical significance. Seropositivity tended to increase with age, but there was no association between clinical symptomatology and seropositivity. Likewise, there was no difference in seropositivity between nurses assisting with endoscopic procedures for more than 10 years and those assisting for less than 10 years. Although the differences were not significant, these findings refute those of an earlier study in which the researchers found 122 gastroendoscopists and endoscopy nurses significantly more likely to be positive for HP antibodies. Therefore, the findings reported here provide important information.

Adult↗

Prospective study of colitis in infancy and early childhood.

Ten of a total of 106 children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease seen between 1973 and 1983 were aged 3 years or less (9%). These are the subject of this study. Colonoscopy and biopsy revealed ulcerative colitis in two, Crohn's disease in two, cow's milk-induced colitis in two, and colitis of indeterminate type in four. The children were followed up and reassessed 2 years post-treatment. The four children with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease were asymptomatic 6 months after treatment with sulfasalazine and/or prednisolone. The two breast-fed infants with allergic colitis who were treated with cow's milk-free diet in baby and mother showed clinical, endoscopic, and histological resolution. One of the remaining four children with indeterminate colitis is well and off all treatment, and two are well with minimal symptoms and taking sulfasalazine. One child continued to have frequent relapses and subsequently had subtotal colectomy performed with clinical improvement. Histopathology showed features suggestive of intestinal Behcet's disease. The present study shows that colonoscopy and mucosal biopsy allow a firm diagnosis to be established in 60% of cases of this selected group of very young children. In our experience colitis in infancy and early childhood appears to be a heterogeneous group of conditions. An initial assessment of indeterminate colitis should be followed with multiple mucosal biopsies to attempt further categorization.

Animals↗

Infantile colitis: a manifestation of intestinal Behcet's syndrome.

A brother and sister of first cousin Pakistani parents presented with recurrent mouth ulcers and chronic diarrhoea in the neonatal period. Diarrhoea persisted in spite of treatment with oral prednisolone and sulphasalazine. Both children required subtotal colectomy with ileostomy. Histopathology of the resected colons was virtually identical and showed multiple deep "flask"-shaped ulcers, often penetrating to the serosa, in the presence of chronic inflammation, but without any of the characteristic histological features of Crohn's disease. The appearance closely resembled the colitis of Beh,cet's syndrome. Both children (aged 6 and 3.5 years, respectively) have continued to have recurrent perianal disease with intermittent bloody diarrhoea since the operation. Apart from the initial symptoms of oral aphthous ulcerations in both children, no other major criteria have developed so far. Intestinal Behçet's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease in childhood.

Behcet Syndrome↗