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PubMed1975

Chronic granulomatous disease: an inherited disorder of phagocytosis in a Maori ancestry.

Chronic granulomatous disease, in which abnormal susceptibility to infection is caused by an inherited defect in phagocytic cells, has been diagnosed in three brothers. Two brothers had repeated bacterial infections of the skin, superficial lymph nodes and lungs from infancy and died aged 27 months and 13 months. Characteristic suppurating granulomata were found in many organs. The diagnosis was established in both during life, and in the third asymptomatic brother shortly after birth, by studies of phagocytic function which included tests for nitroblue-tetrazolium reduction, hexose monophosphate shunt activity and bactericidal capacity. Their mother and a maternal aunt, both Maoris with no known Caucasian ancestry, were identified as carriers of the presumed sex-linked recessive gene. The clinical features of the disease and the laboratory methods for diagnosis are described.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1999

Effects of larval density on the size of Aedes polynesiensis adults (Diptera: Culicidae).

Replicated cohorts of a Tahitian laboratory strain of Aedes polynesiensis Marks were reared at 3 larval densities with a fixed amount of food. For larvae provided with limiting per capita food (i.e., 400 larvae per pan with 500 mg liver powder) relative to standard rearing conditions (i.e., 200 larvae per pan), mean pupal survival as well as male and female mean adult dry weights were significantly reduced and median developmental times were significantly prolonged. However, excess per capita food did not allow low density cohorts (i.e., 100 larvae per pan) to increase adult production, developmental rate, or adult dry weight compared with cohorts reared under standard rearing conditions. Male and female pupal wet weights, adult dry weights, and adult wing lengths all were correlated for Ae. polynesiensis collected as pupae from natural habitats near Papara Commune, Tahiti. Mean adult dry weights of host-seeking females from the same and a neighboring location did not differ significantly from weights of females emerging from field-collected pupae. The comparison of mean adult dry weight of these adults with adults reared at different densities in the laboratory indicated that field populations develop under food-limited conditions. Aedes polynesiensis responds to intraspecific larval competition by producing small adults over elongated developmental periods. Pupal wet weights, adult dry weights, and adult wing lengths are equally acceptable measures of mosquito size for vector and fecundity studies.

Aedes↗
PubMed2000

Population evolution in 20th-century Easter Island: endogamy and admixture.

We studied the 20th-century evolution of the Rapanui population of Easter Island, the most geographically isolated in the world, to analyze the current process of admixture. Using parochial birth records, we determined origin of the birth parents based on their surnames. The origin of parents reveals two stages of population evolution: endogamy, due to the isolation of the island, but with a strong rejection of isonymous marriages; and admixture, beginning in 1965 with the opening of the island to the rest of the world. We used Lasker's coefficient (Lasker's Ri) and the Shannon-Weaver coefficient of diversity (H) to characterize both stages. The gene flow evaluated from admixture has increased significantly since 1965. Births from exogamous unions represented 3.5% of total births from 1937 to 1965. increased to 43.2% between 1966 and 1980, and constituted 50.8% of all births between 1981 and 1996.

Birth Rate↗
PubMed1976

Normal haemoglobin values in urban Polynesian infants: the possible deleterious influence of artificial feeding.

A longitudinal survey of urban Polynesian infants in the first year of life provided data on gastro-intestinal bleeding and haemoglobin estimations. The results show that urban Polynesian infants are significantly more anaemic than their European counterparts, and that cow's milk-induced gastro-intestinal bleeding may be a significant cause of this anaemia.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed2000

Blood chemistry profile of a South Pacific Island population.

AIMS: To determine basic blood chemistry parameters in the population of the island of Mauke in the South Pacific. METHODS: As a part of a health survey carried out in 1992, 24 laboratory parameters were measured in serum samples of 502 subjects representing 80.8% of the total population. RESULTS: Blood glucose, uric acid and globulin values were above the respective reference intervals in 9%, 5% and 4% of the subjects. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine values were elevated in 1.8% and 1.2% of the subjects. Hypoalbuminaemia was found in 1.2% to 4% of the subjects, more frequently in the older age groups. Gamma glutamyltransferase levels were elevated in 6.2% of the subjects. Iron values were below the reference interval in 8.0% of the subjects. Serum cholesterol levels were elevated in 4.4% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The blood chemistry data reflect the disease profile of this Pacific Island population including the presence of diabetes and iron deficiency as well as renal, hepatic and infectious diseases. The data can be used in comparative inter-island studies as well as in those between Pacific Island and other populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of iron deficiency in Auckland high school students.

AIMS: To determine the frequency of iron deficiency and anaemia in high school students. METHOD: The survey was carried out at eight Auckland high schools with a high proportion (> or =15%) of Pacific Islands students. All students in Forms 5-7 at these schools were invited to participate, and 1644 students (Pacific Island 765, Asian 350, European 295, Maori 234) had iron assessments (response rate 61%). Iron deficiency was defined as any two (or more) of the following, three: serum ferritin <12 microg/L, iron saturation <14%, or red cell distribution width >14.5%. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <120 g/L for females and <130 g/L for males. RESULTS: Iron deficiency and anaemia were each ten times more common in girls (18.3% and 11.5%, respectively) than boys (1.5% and 1.4%). In females, iron deficiency was two to three times more common in Maori (25.6%), Pacific Islanders (20.9%) and Asians (15.4%) compared with Europeans (8.3 %), while anaemia was three to four times more common in Asians (15.9%), Pacific Islanders (12.1%) and Maori (11.2%) compared with Europeans (4.2%). Iron deficiency and anaemia prevalences were inversely associated with aerobic fitness, but not with age or years since menarche. CONCLUSION: Prevalences of iron deficiency and anaemia are high in non-European female adolescents in Auckland, for reasons currently unknown.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sudden infant death syndrome among the Auckland Pacific communities 1988-1996: is it increasing?

AIMS: To define ethnic origin and verify the diagnosis of sudden infant deaths among Pacific peoples in Auckland 1988-1996, and to elicit soci-econonic and demographic characteristics. METHODS: Police (P47) and coroner reports were analysed for an ethnic classification and diagnosis. Postneonatal and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) register and New Zealand Information Services data were analysed for additional Pacific cases. Rates of Pacific SIDS in Auckland calculated. A Pacific SIDS database was developed and families were tracked. Face to face interviews covering the SIDS event were undertaken with selected families. Data were coded, stratified and a thematic approach to analysis was utilised. RESULTS: There were 52 cases of SIDS and the ethnic origins were: thirteen Samoans, nine Cook Islanders, seven Togans fifteen multiple ethnicity, and eight could not be verified. The annual rates of Pacific SIDS varied from less than one (in 1989) to 4.5 (in 1995) per 1000 Pacific live births. 34 cases (65%) couldd not be contacted and eighteen were traced. Nine in-epth interviews were conducted with caregivers of these cases. All babies had slept in the supine position, seven were breasted, and five of the mothers were non-smokers. Eight babies sept in the same room with their primary caregiver, with seven sleeping in their own bed. All of the mothers had had continuous access to childcare and support from their families, and seven had had previous children. Grief counselling for partners and children was identified as necessary by almost all the mothers. CNCLUSIONS: This preliminary study concludes that the rate of Pacific SIDS increased in 1995 and remains a serious problem. Ethnic misclassification and under reporting of SIDS cases is apparent among Pacific infants. There is a need to establish a national infant mortality database that collects accurate data incorporating standardised ethnic specific categories. Official routine and data sources also need to incorporate standardised ethnic specific categories. A national prospective study is required to study SIDS in Pacific communities as a basis for effective prevention strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Injury to Maori. I: Fatalities.

AIMS: Our aim was to determine the significance in Maori of injury in relation to other health problems, to describe the leading causes of injury, and to determine age specific rates for major classes of injury. METHODS: We used New Zealand Health Information Services mortality data files. The New Zealand Census classification of 'Sole-Maori' was used to determine injury mortality rates. RESULTS: For more than three contiguous decades of life (1-34 yrs) injuries were the leading cause of death. For all age groups combined, unintentional injury accounted for 75% of injury deaths, suicide 17%, and assault 7%. The leading mechanism of death was motor vehicle traffic crashes (49%). Occupants of motor vehicles accounted for the majority of the victims. The occupant fatality rate remained relatively constant for all age groups from 15-24 years. The second most common mechanism of death was suffocation (13%), 76% of which were self-inflicted, all of these being hangings. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for government agencies with a mandate for injury prevention to develop specific injury prevention goals for Maori.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2000

Injury to Maori. II: Serious injury.

AIMS: To determine the significance of serious injury in Maori relative to other health problems, to describe the leading causes, and to determine age specific rates for major classes of injury. METHOD: We used New Zealand Health Information Services' public hospital inpatient data files. The New Zealand Census classification of 'Sole-Maori' was used to determine injury mortality rates. RESULTS: On average, one in every eight admissions in Maori, was for injury. Injury was the leading reason for admission for those 5-44 years old. Unintentional injury accounted for 85% of injuries, with those ages 1-14 and 15-24 years having the highest numbers and rates. Falls, followed closely by motor vehicle traffic crashes, were the leading causes, accounting for 23% and 20% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In order to address the priorities identified here, appropriate partnerships between crown agencies and social agencies, both Iwi and/or community based, must be established.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2001

Surveillance of sexually transmitted infections in New Zealand, 1998.

AIMS: To describe the surveillance and epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in New Zealand. METHODS: Sexual health clinics submitted STI data to the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Infection rates were calculated by dividing the number of diagnoses by the number of total clinic visits. Because the denominator used to calculate infection rates changed in 1998, STI rates in 1998 cannot be directly compared with previous years and case numbers were used to identify recent trends. RESULTS: In 1998, genital warts was the most commonly diagnosed STI (4.7%), followed by chlamydia (3.0%) and genital herpes (1.0%). Approximately two-thirds of gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital warts diagnoses were in people aged less than 25 years. Chlamydia rates were 7.3% in Maori, 7.1% in Pacific Island people, and 2.1% in European. Gonorrhoea rates were 1.6% in Maori, 1.9% in Pacific Island people and 0.2% in European. The number of chlamydia and gonorrhoea cases increased between 1995 and 1998. CONCLUSIONS: The reporting of data by age, sex and ethnicity has allowed a more useful evaluation of the incidence of STIs. The majority of STIs were diagnosed among young New Zealanders, and disproportionately high chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection rates were found among Maori and Pacific Island people.

Adolescent↗