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Biomedical subjects

S Leeder

Publications and source records attributed to S Leeder.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Doctor diagnosis and maternal recall of lower respiratory illness.

Epidemiological studies of respiratory illness in childhood have used the mother's recall of her child's respiratory illness experience as a measure of the frequency with which these illnesses occur. This paper explores the relationship between the diagnosis by the doctor of lower respiratory illnesses and the recall by the mother of the occurrence of these illnesses in a cohort of children in the first year of life. While there is a poor relationship between doctor diagnosis and maternal recall of these illnesses, the group of children reported by their mothers to have had bronchitis or pneumonia in the first year of life appear to suffer more respiratory illness than those children whose mothers recall no such illnesses.

Bronchitis↗
PubMed1978

Elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen in cord plasma.

41.5% of 200 newborn infants had levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in excess of 2.5 ng/ml in their cord plasma. There was no direct correlation with the maternal CEA level although the frequency of elevated CEA was significantly greater among infants born to mothers with CEA levels greater than 2.5 ng/ml. There was no preponderance of high CEA levels among infants with low birth weights and there was no influence of maternal smoking on a cord CEA level. There was a tendency toward an increased incidence of cancer in families with infants who had elevated CEA levels and a reverse trend was noted with respect to diabetes; however, these associations were not statistically significant. We were unable to define clearly the factors accounting for the persistent elevation of this oncofetal antigen at birth; however, the possible association with susceptibility to the development of neoplasia merits further study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The outcome of childhood Haemophilus influenzae meningitis. A population based study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the morbidity and mortality from childhood Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis in a well defined population. DESIGN: Retrospective survey 1985-1987 and prospective surveillance of hospital laboratories 1989-1990. Information on outcome of meningitis was obtained from hospital records and attending physicians and, in 1989-1990, from a survey of the children's parents. SETTING: Sydney Statistical Division, which had a population of children aged 0-4 years of 229,165 in 1986 and 263,758 in 1990. PATIENTS: Eligible children were aged from one month to four years and had clinical and microbiological evidence of Hib meningitis on standard criteria. RESULTS: There were 229 eligible children. Twelve were excluded (seven died and five had pre-existing neurological deficits). A neurological deficit was detected at the time of hospital discharge in 45 patients (21%) and persisted for 12 months or longer in 29 patients (13%). Follow-up information was available for 165 (96%) children who were normal at the time of hospital discharge and persistent deficits were recorded in 12 (7%) of these children. Forty-one children (19%) had readily recognisable neurological or hearing problems: nine (4%) had persistent severe neurological deficits and seven (3%) had severe hearing loss requiring hearing aids or a cochlear implant. Age had a significant influence on outcome. The youngest children were significantly more likely to be admitted to intensive care. Severe neurological deficits showed a significant negative trend with increasing age (P = 0.03). Severe unilateral or bilateral sensorineural loss (odds ratio [OR] 8.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5-81) and ataxia at discharge (OR 13.3, 95% CI 2.8-128) were noticeably more common in children over two years of age, with a significant positive trend (P < or = 0.001) with increasing age. Patients requiring intensive care were much more likely to have an adverse outcome, particularly if positive pressure ventilation was needed. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide population-based estimates of the minimum incidence of adverse outcomes from Hib meningitis in an urban community with good access to medical services. This is important in assessing the impact of Hib vaccination, as meningitis is responsible for most of the long-term morbidity from childhood invasive Hib disease. Determination of the relationship between morbidity and age is important for assessing alternative vaccine strategies.

Age Factors↗