Efficacy of intravenous or atomizing ambroxol for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Ambroxol induces the synthesis of surfactant in lung alveolar type II cells. Some studies have shown its effectiveness for the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of two different ways of ambroxol administration, ie, intravenous injection and atomizing inhalation, for the prevention of RDS in preterm infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 125 preterm infants born between 28-37 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned into three groups: Intravenous and Atomizing ambroxol treatment groups (n=40 each) or Control group (n=45). The Intravenous group was injected with 15 mg/kg of ambroxol through the umbilical vein immediately after birth and then received 30 mg/kg of ambroxol daily for 2 days by intravenous drip. The Atomizing group was administered with 30 mg/kg of ambroxol daily for 2 days by atomizing inhalation immediately after birth. The Control group received no ambroxol treatment. The incidences of RDS and complications as well as the blood gas results 6 hrs after birth were compared among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of RDS was 7.5%, 5.0% and 24.4% in the Intravenous, Atomizing and Control groups respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of RDS between the two ambroxol treatment groups. However, the incidence of RDS in the two treatment groups were noticeably lower than in the Control group (P < 0.05). The blood gas results did not show significant differences between the two ambroxol treatment groups but both groups demonstrated improved blood gas results compared with the Control group at 6 hrs after birth (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications, such as pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, intraranial hemorrhage, in the two ambroxol treatment groups was reduced compared with the Control group (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between the two ambroxol groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Early administration of either intravenous or atomizing ambroxol can produce a positive efficacy for the prevention of RDS in preterm infants. The two different ways of administration seem to result in a similar efficacy in the prevention of RDS.</p>

Assessment and analysis on the risk and community treatment of hypertension in rural areas in Changshu city / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess and analyze the risk and community treatment of hypertension in rural population of Changshu city, Jiangsu province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A stratified cluster sampling technique was conducted to select a sample of 800 people, aged 35 - 74 years old, in a rural village according to the proportion of the national population in Changshu. Weight, height, blood pressure, serum lipid, blood glucose and other related factors were examined and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rate of hypertension in the rural area was 32.01%, and significantly higher with the increase of age (P < 0.01). The average systolic blood pressure of hypertension in females was significantly positively correlated while, the average diastolic blood pressure of male and female hypertensives was significantly negatively correlated to age. The proportions of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as senility, hyperlipemia, premature familial history of CVD and overweight of hypertension were significantly high than those without hypertension (P < 0.01). The percentage of medium-low risk on hypertension was 85.72%, but of high risk was 14.28%. The ratio of using medication, exclusive non-medication, comprehensive treatment or total cure were 42.05%, 2.84%, 14.20% and 59.09%, accordingly. The rates of blood pressure control under the above approaches were 35.14%, 40.00%, 36.00% and 39.77%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Assessment on the risk of hypertension in the rural areas suggested that the priority should be given to medium-low risk groups, while the rate of medication and non-medicine intervention was at low level. It is necessary to strengthen a comprehensive intervention program for hypertension control.</p>