Children's deaths and population growth.
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Birth Rate↗
Biomedical subjects
Y Hofvander
Publications and source records attributed to Y Hofvander.
Sickle cell anaemia in Sudan: clinical findings, haematological and serum variables.
Ninety homozygous patients with Hb S haemoglobinopathy from Sudan were reported with respect to clinical findings, haematological and serum parameters. For comparison, 27 Hb AS heterozygous subjects and 28 Hb AA controls were investigated also. The patients showed an extreme type of illness presenting with severe clinical signs such as dactylitis, liver enlargement and cardiac complications. There was marked haemolytic anaemia (mean haemoglobin 66 g/l). Some patients also presented with low serum (S)-iron levels, indicating iron deficiency. S-bilirubin, S-ASAT, S-ALAT, S-GT and S-urate were notably raised, most probably as a consequence of haemolysis with liver involvement. The patients had lower S-calcium levels when compared with the AS and AA subjects. This may suggest a possible role of HB S in the production of this feature.
Adolescent↗
A longitudinal study on anthropometric and clinical development of Indian children adopted in Sweden. I. Clinical and anthropometric condition at arrival.
One hundred and fourteen children (60% girls) adopted from India through five major adoption organizations, were recruited consecutively. This paper describes the environment of the children in India and in Sweden, discusses the certainty of the ages and reports their condition at arrival in Sweden. The median age at arrival was 9.3 months, 62% being below one year of age (range 3-72 months). Infectious diseases similar in kind and frequency to those noted in child populations in developing countries, were found. Height/age and weight/age mean values were approximately -2 standard deviation scores (SDS) of the NCHS/WHO standard, which is similar to the anthropometric status of Indian average children. There were no significant sex differences. Thirty-seven birth weights were known, the majority below 2,500 g. Psychomotor retardation was found in 29% of the children. In the children with stunting and in those with weight/age less than -3 SDS at arrival there were high percentages of psychomotor retardation, anaemia and combined wasting and stunting. Therefore these children should be regarded as a risk group and be followed up with special care.
Adoption↗
A longitudinal study on anthropometric and clinical development of Indian children adopted in Sweden. II. Growth, morbidity and development during two years after arrival in Sweden.
One hundred and fourteen consecutively recruited children adopted from India (60% girls) to Sweden were studied during 2 years after arrival, with examinations monthly the first 6 months and thereafter every 3 months. Sixty-two percent were below 1 year of age at arrival. There was a mean increase from -2.2 standard deviation scores (SDS) height/age to -0.7 SDS during the two years, and a similar development for weight/age, with no significant difference between boys and girls. The weight/height remained at around -0.8 throughout the study period. Those who had lowest height/age at arrival had the most marked catch-up, but remained smaller throughout the 2 years. The psychomotor development was initially delayed in nearly 30% of the children, mainly among those stunted and/or with very low weight at arrival. After 2 years the rate was at a level similar to Swedish children. In a sub-sample, birth weight was found to be correlated to subsequent height and weight development. Hepatitis B, salmonella, giardia lamblia, trichuris trichiura, ascaris and hymenolepis nana were still found in a small percentage after 2 years. Other morbidity was at the same level as in Swedish children. Adopted children who are stunted and/or have a very low weight at arrival should be followed up with special care, and infectious diseases found at arrival should be kept in mind for differential diagnosis at subsequent disease episodes.
Adoption↗
[Children in the poor world--to die now, survive in misery or with some quality of life?].
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Child↗
Minor and trace elements in human milk from Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire. Results from a WHO/IAEA joint project.
Concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, and Zn were determined in human whole milk samples from Guatemala, Hungary, Nigeria, Philippines, Sweden, and Zaire; in most of these countries, three groups of subjects representing different socioeconomic conditions were studied. Analytical quality control was a primary consideration throughout. The analytical techniques used were atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectrometry with an inductively coupled plasma, colorimetry, electrochemistry, using an ion-selective electrode and neutron activation analysis. The differences between median concentrations of Ca, Cl, Mg, K, Na, and P (minor elements) were lower than 20% among the six countries. Among trace elements, concentrations observed in Filipino milk for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, and V were higher than for milk samples from other countries. The remaining five countries showed a mixed picture of high and low values. In the case of at least some elements, such as, F, I, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Se, the environment appears to play a major role in determining their concentrations in human milk. The nutritional status of the mother, as reflected by her socioeconomic status, does not appear to influence significantly the breast milk concentrations of minor and trace elements. Significant differences exist between the actual daily intakes observed in this study and current dietary recommendations made by, for example, WHO and the US National Academy of Sciences. These differences are particularly large (an order of magnitude or more!) for Cr, F, Fe, Mn, and Mo; for other elements, such as, Ca, Cu, Mg, P, and Zn, they amount to at least a factor 2. In the opinion of the present authors, these findings point to the need for a possible reassessment of the dietary requirements of young infants with respect to minor and trace elements, particularly for the elements Ca, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, and Zn.
Democratic Republic of the Congo↗
Patterns of breast feeding and weaning in the United Arab Emirate.
Two-hundred urban high and urban average mothers and 86 rural mothers in Dubai were interviewed to obtain baseline data about the duration of breast feeding and weaning patterns. The median duration of breast feeding was 4.5, 5, 9 months in urban high, urban average and rural groups, respectively.
Adult↗
Studies on perceived breast milk insufficiency. III. Consequences for breast milk consumption and growth.
Fifty-one mother-infant pairs were followed prospectively during the period 3 days to 18 months after delivery. In total 54.9% of the mothers experienced transient lactation crises, emanating mostly from a perception of breast milk insufficiency. Within the crisis group no significant difference in the infants' intake of breast milk during the crises compared with control measurements 1 week later was found. Nor had the crises any immediate impact on growth of the infants. A comparison between the crisis and the non-crisis group, revealed that the breast milk consumption in the crisis group was throughout lower with significant differences at 3 and 5 months. The infants in the crisis group also had a significantly lower weight at 2, 3, 4 and 9 months and were significantly thinner for their height at 1-6 months and at 9 months, although both groups were above the NCHS mean. We conclude that even if the infants in the crisis group had a lower consumption and a slower growth development, the differences were comparatively small. Furthermore, evidence was provided that the breast milk insufficiency occasionally perceived as acute by the mothers was in most cases not real.
Adult↗
Long term sequelae of childhood acute bacterial meningitis in a developing country. A study from the Sudan.
35 survivors of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) from a group of 44 Sudanese children--seen during 18 months (April 1985-November 1986)--were prospectively followed to ascertain the long-term sequelae of the disease. 30 (17 with Haemophilus influenzae, 8 Neisseria meningitidis, 4 Streptococcus pneumoniae and one child with Enterobacter cloacae meningitis) could be followed during the surveillance period (3-4 years). Three (10%), including 2 with hemiplegia, died after 11-12 months. The association between motor deficit on discharge from hospital and subsequent death was significant (p = 0.04). Of the remaining 27, neuropsychologic sequelae were recorded in 9 (33%). Sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 6 (22%) patients and improved in one during surveillance. Motor deficits were found to improve with time but were replaced by the development of epilepsy about 3 years later in 11% of the survivors. The mean IQ (+/- SD) score for a subgroup of 19 post-meningitic children (92.3 +/- 13.9) was found to be significantly lower than in their nearest-age sibling controls (100.7 +/- 10.2; p = less than 0.01). Younger age at admission and longer duration of ABM symptoms before treatment were significantly associated with poorer outcome (respectively, r = 0.63, p = less than 0.01, r = 0.67, p = less than 0.01). The potential impact of vaccination against the commonest organisms causing ABM in developing countries is discussed.
Acute Disease↗
[Global prevention of HIV infection. Steady sexual relations mean safe protection. Use of condoms is like Russian roulette].
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Contraceptive Devices, Male↗
Endemic bacterial meningitis in Sudanese children: aetiology, clinical findings, treatment and short-term outcome.
During the period April 1985 to November 1986 (18 months), 196 children (of age greater than 1 month) admitted to the Children's Emergency Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, with clinical suspicion of meningitis/meningoencephalitis were followed up prospectively. Bacterial meningitis was diagnosed by culture, direct microscopy and/or antigen-detecting assays (co-agglutination and enzyme immunoassay) in 44 infants (25 Haemophilus influenzae type b, 8 Neisseria meningitidis, 7 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 3 enterobacteria and one mixed infection), aseptic meningitis in 52, cerebral malaria in 4 and febrile convulsions in 96. The majority of cases of bacterial meningitis were boys and 57% of those in whom H. influenzae was the commonest isolate were less than 1 year old. The presenting signs and symptoms are described as well as the transient and permanent short-term sequelae. The total mortality from bacterial meningitis was 19%, permanent neurological sequelae were seen in 26% of survivors. Prospective follow-up, including audiometry, of 35 children 1-2 months after discharge showed that 11% had hemiplegia and 20% had hearing impairment. The potential impact of vaccination against invasive H. influenzae infections is discussed.
Bacterial Infections↗
Clinical features and complications of epidemic group A meningococcal disease in Sudanese children.
The clinical presentation and laboratory features in relation to short-term outcome in 118 prospectively studied Sudanese children who were admitted with meningococcal (MC) meningitis and/or septicaemia during the 1988 group A MC epidemic in Greater Khartoum are described. Their ages ranged from 25 days to 15 years (mean: 78 months) and 42% were less than 5 years old. The male:female ratio was 1.6:1. Forty (34%) came from one of the peri-urban shanty towns encircling Greater Khartoum. A history of MC immunization (A and C vaccine) was obtained in 22%, but only five children (4.8%) had the vaccine between 4 weeks and 1 year before their illness. The commonest symptoms on admission were vomiting, neck rigidity and diarrhoea. Convulsions were significantly more frequent in children under 5 years old (p = 0.0005). Fifty-six (47%) had evidence of malnutrition. In descending order, fever, neck stiffness and Kernig's sign were the most commonly observed signs, the latter two being significantly more often detected in children older than 1 year. Twenty-four patients 20%) had disturbed consciousness. The case fatality rate was 6.3% and this was significantly higher in those presenting with meningococcal septicaemia (p = 0.0006). Other significant associations with mortality were short duration (less than 1 day) of symptoms (p = 0.0006) and clinical shock detected on admission p = 0.003). Transient complications were infrequent and permanent neurological sequelae were confined to bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss in three children (2.9%) and hemiplegia in two 1.9%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adolescent↗
Features of a large epidemic of group A meningococcal meningitis in Khartoum, Sudan in 1988.
A large epidemic (February-August 1988) of group A sulphonamide resistant, clone III-1 meningococcal meningitis in Khartoum, Sudan is described. A total of 10,099 cases were admitted to treatment centers with 8,397 cases during March and April, corresponding to an annual incidence of 1,679/100,000 inhabitants during this period. The age profile showed a high morbidity in adults (31% of the cases greater than or equal to 20 years). The male dominance was marked especially in the adult cases with a proportion of 3.2:1. The epidemic started during the hot and dry season and declined when the clouds came, humidity rose, temperature fell and a mass vaccination campaign had been implemented together with other epidemic precautions. Vaccination with a combined group A/C polysaccharide vaccine had been given 4 weeks-1 year before hospitalization to 11% of the children, 80% of whom were greater than 18 months of age. The estimated case fatality rate was 6.3%. Since 47% of the cases came from periurban and rural areas, the actual mortality during the epidemic might have been higher when considering those who may have died before reaching any of the treatment centres. Fatal cases had a short history of acute illness and a septic condition. Septicaemia was rare and seen in only 3.7% of the cases, the rest had acute purulent meningitis. Hearing loss/impairment and hemiplegia was diagnosed in 2-3% of the cases. The epidemiology, based on detailed typing/subtyping and restriction enzyme patterns of meningococcal strains, was apparently associated with the Mecca outbreak in August 1987.
Adult↗
[All adopted children should be HIV tested].
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Adoption↗
Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis by an enzyme immunoassay of cerebrospinal fluid.
A total of 250 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were analyzed using a rapid enzyme immunoassay (Pharmacia Meningitis EIA-Test) (EIA) for the detection of antigens of Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis (serogroups A,B,C) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (25 selected types). The test is performed in less than 1 h and read by the naked eye. EIA and coagglutination (CoA) were compared with a constructed reference that comprised samples which were either positive by culture and/or on direct microscopy (DM), or in which there were positive results with both EIA and CoA for the bacteria covered by the assays. Using this reference for CSF samples assayed in a period between two meningococcal meningitis epidemics, the sensitivity was 0.86 for EIA and 0.69 for CoA, the specificity 0.95 (EIA) and 0.97 (CoA), the predictive value for a positive result 0.81 (EIA) and 0.87 (CoA) and, the predictive value for a negative result 0.96 (EIA) and 0.93 (CoA). Antibiotics had been given to 54% of the patients before admission. All of the 56 samples that were positive in any of the tests taken during an epidemic of group A meningococcal disease were detected by EIA; CoA was negative in 45% and culture/DM was negative in 32%. Sequential dilutions of two CSF samples from which H. influenzae type b had been isolated, showed the EIA to be 16-32 times more sensitive than CoA. With both technical feasibility and good sensitivity and specificity, the EIA seems to be useful and reliable for the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis, especially in situations where pretreatment with antibiotics are likely.
Antigens, Bacterial↗
Prevalence of IDDM in schoolchildren in Khartoum, Sudan.
The prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in 42,981 schoolchildren (aged 7-14 yr) in Khartoum, Sudan, was determined. With the 1985 World Health Organization revised criteria for diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus, the overall crude prevalence rate of IDDM was 0.95/1000 in the age groups studied. This figure is thought to reflect the minimum prevalence of IDDM in that population, because there is an inherent tendency in the method of screening used toward underestimating the true prevalence rate. The prevalence of IDDM was found to increase significantly with age and was slightly higher in girls than boys, but this was not statistically significant. Of 41 children with IDDM detected in the survey, 7 were not known to have IDDM before but were showing suggestive symptoms at the time of the study. This study showed that IDDM in childhood is not rare in Sudan and that probably a substantial number of undiagnosed cases exist.
Age Factors↗
The ecological context of child health in Saudi Arabia.
The general background to child health in Saudi Arabia is reviewed. Information is provided on the social and demographic characteristics of the population, on common health indicators, on the health care system and its utilization, and on the general pattern of childhood morbidity and mortality. The unprecendented socioeconomic development has transformed the health care system. In 15 years the number of nurses have increased from 3261 to 29896, physicians from 1172 to 14335, primary health care centers from 591 to 1821, and hospital beds from 9036 to 30707. In spite of this progress, the disease pattern seems to resemble that of some developing countries with more limited resources. Parasitic diseases are still widespread, and sample surveys have indicated suboptimal nutrition of rural preschool children. Recent estimates on the infant mortality rate have ranged from 65 to 120 per 1000 live births. The preferred marriage partner is a close relative, and genetic diseases, such as hemoglobin disorders, are common in certain areas. Thus, the prevalence of alpha thalassemia is reported at 50 percent, and the sickle cell trait at 4.4-20 percent in sample surveys from the Eastern Province. The modest educational attainment of the mother, the heavy reliance on foreign manpower in all sectors, including the health sector, and the further development of the primary health care system are key issues today. It is emphasized that demographic and epidemiological information from Saudi Arabia is scarce and frequently uncertain, and that further studies are needed to identify the health needs of Saudi children.
Breast Feeding↗
Patterns of breastfeeding and weaning in Saudi Arabia.
The patterns of breastfeeding and weaning were studied in 4 groups of Saudi children: Privileged urban children; children representing the average urban population; less privileged urban children, and rural children from 3 different areas. The data represented retrospective and actual information and were analyzed according to the life table technique. The median duration of breastfeeding of rural, urban low, urban average and urban privileged children was 17.8 months, 10.8 months, 7.5 months and 2.1 months, respectively. In all groups the rate of breastfeeding was lower in young compared with old mothers. Thus the median duration of breastfeeding was 11.7 months for rural mothers less than 23 years and 23.6 months for mothers greater than 31 years. Corresponding figures for urban low mothers were 3.4 months and 11.4 months, respectively. By one month 52 percent of privileged and 42 percent of urban low children were started on bottle. By contrast, 26 percent of rural children were started on bottle at 6 months. At 6 months, 6 percent of rural children were started on any kind of solid foods compared with 90 percent of privileged children; at 12 months the figures were 33 and 96 percent, respectively. The data indicated a successive decline in the duration of breastfeeding with increasing affluence, and late introduction of weaning foods to rural children.
Bottle Feeding↗