Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Heikkinen

Publications and source records attributed to T Heikkinen.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Signs and symptoms predicting acute otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether acute otitis media can be distinguished from an uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection by the symptoms of the children. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Urban, pediatric primary care center in Turku, Finland. PATIENTS: Three hundred two children younger than 4 years (mean age, 2.1 years) attending day-care centers were followed up and examined during episodes of upper respiratory tract infection. The signs and symptoms of the children were recorded daily by the parents. MAIN RESULTS: The specificity and positive predictive value of earache for acute otitis media were 92% and 83%, respectively. However, 40% of the children with acute otitis media had no apparent earache. Restless sleeping had a specificity of 51% and a positive predictive value of 46% for acute otitis media. Thirty-one percent of the children with acute otitis media had no fever. Continuation of respiratory symptoms for several days after the first examination was significantly related with later development of acute otitis media. CONCLUSIONS: Earache in children with upper respiratory tract infection is indicative of acute otitis media, but the absence of earache does not preclude acute otitis media. Therefore, even in the absence of any signs and symptoms localized to the ear, all children at risk for acute otitis media should be examined during upper respiratory tract infection, and if respiratory symptoms persist for several days after the initial visit, a reexamination should be performed. Restless sleeping and fever are of no value in distinguishing acute otitis media from an uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Short-term use of amoxicillin-clavulanate during upper respiratory tract infection for prevention of acute otitis media.

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether acute otitis media could be prevented by antibiotic therapy initiated promptly after the appearance of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. One hundred four children aged 1 to 4 years received a 7-day course of either amoxicillin-clavulanate or placebo. Acute otitis media developed in 9 (18%) of the 50 children receiving amoxicillin clavulanate and in 12 (22%) of the 54 children receiving placebo (p = 0.59).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Incidence of acute otitis media associated with group A and B respiratory syncytial virus infections.

The comparative association of respiratory syncytial virus group A and B infections with acute otitis media was determined by analysing the hospital records of children with community-acquired respiratory syncytial virus infection during three successive outbreaks from 1987 to 1992. Of 326 episodes analysed, 192 (59%) were caused by group A and 134 (41%) by group B infections. Acute otitis media was diagnosed in 101 (75%) children with group B infection, compared with 119 (62%) with group A infection (p = 0.01). Group A infections were more often associated with wheezing (71% versus 59% in group B; p = 0.02) and oxygen therapy in inpatients (48% versus 31%, respectively; p = 0.008). The higher incidence of acute otitis media associated with group B infections was observed both after adjustment for potential confounding variables and during each outbreak.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Maternal smoking and tooth formation in the foetus. II. Tooth crown size in the permanent dentition.

Altogether 2159 pregnancies among black and white Americans in the Collaborative Perinatal Study and dental casts from their children at the age of 6-12 years were studied to determine the effect of maternal smoking on permanent tooth crown dimensions. A trend of reduction, similar to that observed in the deciduous second molars, was found in the permanent first molars and also in the mesio-distal dimension of permanent incisors in relation to sex and race of the children and smoking habits of the mother. In terms of peak in their mitotic growth, the results can be interpreted to indicate a sensitive period of intra uterine development from the 24th to 28th gestational weeks. Comparisons of postnatal body size and differential correlation patterns in affected tooth dimensions with early postnatal body and head size between smokers and non-smokers, suggests that maternal smoking during pregnancy may have an effect on basic growth of the head and body and/or the developmental process that impacts tooth development at some specific sensitive period also during the postnatal formation of these tooth crowns.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1992

Maternal smoking and tooth formation in the foetus. I. Tooth crown size in the deciduous dentition.

Altogether 2159 pregnancies among black and white Americans in the Collaborative Perinatal Study and dental casts from the children at the age of 5-12 years were studied to find out the effect of maternal smoking on deciduous tooth crown growth. Minor crown size reduction (2-3%) in some dimensions was found in children whose mothers had smoked during pregnancy. The possible change in dimensions seems to be influenced by sex, race and smoking habit. The critical time periods of the gestational development (16th to 19th) weeks would possibly appear from these data to be targeted by the detrimental effect of maternal smoking. It is concluded that deciduous tooth sizes seem to be greatly unaffected when compared to reduction in birthweight.

Black People↗
PubMed1991

Influenza vaccination in the prevention of acute otitis media in children.

We studied a new approach to the prevention of acute otitis media through the administration of influenza vaccine to 187 day-care center children aged 1 to 3 years before the influenza A epidemic of 1988-1989. The control group consisted of 187 unvaccinated children of similar age and background. During the 6-week study period, influenza A infection was diagnosed in five (3%) of 187 vaccinees and in 29 (16%) of 187 controls. Acute otitis media developed in three (60%) of five vaccinees with an influenza A infection compared with 18 (67%) of 27 controls (excluded were two children with a double viral infection). The incidence of acute otitis media associated with influenza A was reduced by 83% in the vaccinees. The total number of children with acute otitis media in the vaccine group was 35, compared with 55 in the control group, disclosing a 36% reduction among the vaccinees. We conclude that influenza vaccination decreases the incidence of acute otitis media in children during an influenza A epidemic, suggesting also that other vaccines against respiratory viruses may be an effective way to reduce the incidence of acute otitis media.

Causality↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of 238 consecutive patients with the extended data set of the Standardised Audit for Hip Fractures in Europe (SAHFE).

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to introduce the extended data set inquiries of the Standardised Audit of Hip Fractures in Europe (SAHFE) and to report our experiences of its use. METHOD: The extended SAHFE data set was applied to 238 consecutive patients (mean age 78.4 (50 - 102) years, 52 males, 186 females) aged over 50 years with non-pathological fractures of the hip. The extended data set contains 95 questions concerning the patient's abilities prior fall and at follow-up, detailed background factors, concomitant diseases, additional details of the injury, treatment, fracture type and reduction and complications. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the fractures occurred at home and 38% in a hospital. Thirteen percent of the cervical fractures were non-displaced (Garden 1 & 2) and half of the trochanteric fractures intertrochanteric two-part fractures (A11 - A13). The mean Garden alignment index evaluated from antero-posterior roentgenograms changed from the preoperative 144 degrees to the postoperative 168 degrees and that from lateral projections from 144 degrees to 171 degrees , respectively. Most of the patients (89%) had associated diseases, especially cardiovascular conditions. The patients' functioning was significantly impaired at four months compared with the preoperative situation according to the ADL score. The need for social support and assistance had increased, respectively. A total of 63% of the surgeries were delayed for more than 24 hours. Low molecular weight heparin was given to every patient for thromboembolic prophylaxis and 92% received antibiotic prophylaxis. Urinary tract (21%) and chest infections (7%) were the most common complications. The deep infection rate was 2.5%. CONCLUSION: The extended SAHFE data set is useful and makes it possible to study in more detail the background and outcome factors of hip fractures in a standardized manner.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship of difficult forceps delivery to dental arches and occlusion.

This study examined the relationship between the extensive use of forceps procedures during delivery and later occlusal characteristics. The work uses data collected in National Collaborative Perinatal Research Project (USA), in which more than 60,000 pregnancies and the children's health were followed by regular medical tests and examinations. Of these, a subsample of 2,074 children participated in dental examinations, including the production of dental casts with wax bites to register occlusion. A total of 84 children, 55 boys and 29 girls, were coded as having undergone difficult or very difficult forceps deliveries. A control group was matched by age, sex, race, and site of dental examination. The results show a significant increase in asymmetric molar occlusion (P < 0.005) and canine relations (P < 0.001) in the study group. The sagittal length of the mandibular arch was increased in the difficult forceps delivery group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, difficult forceps procedures are associated with a later asymmetric occlusion.

Birth Injuries↗