ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The present study had three aims: to estimate for the first time with standardized methodology allowing international comparisons the prevalence and the severity of childhood allergies in Reunion Island, to determine their risk factors and to make a comparison with metropolitan France. METHODS: The same standardized protocol (ISAAC) was used in population-based samples of adolescents recruited in metropolitan France between 1993 and 1994 (n=18555) and in Reunion Island in 2000 (n=2 362). RESULTS: Compared to metropolitans, the adolescents living in Reunion Island suffered significantly more from asthma in the past Year and in life (22 vs 13% and 19 vs 13% respectively). The trend was less clear for allergic rhinitis and eczema since in the case of these manifestations the adolescents reported more symptoms (27 vs 16% et 14 vs 10%, respectively) whereas the metropolitans reported more lifetime diagnostic labels (14 vs 17% et 18 vs 23%, respectively). In Reunion Island, allergies were slightly more severe (1.1 vs 0.8% for severe asthma and 15 vs 2% for eczema). Furthermore, 68% of asthmatics who had severe asthma attacks in the past Year and more than a third of adolescents with severe asthma did not take any asthma medication, which is different from the metropolitan situation. Risk factors for allergies were the same in Reunion Island and in metropolitan France, except the ownership of a pet in the first Year of life, which was not protective against the development of allergies as recently shown in some western countries but was a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma and allied diseases are less frequent in metropolitan France than in Reunion Island where management appears to be insufficient. Improvement in prevention and management plans are required in Reunion Island.
Subject(s)
Hypersensitivity/epidemiology , Adolescent , Asthma/epidemiology , Asthma/therapy , Child , Female , France , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Reunion , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Urban HealthABSTRACT
This longitudinal study included 113 patients seen through a period of 8 years with febrile convulsive crises, especially of the tonoclonic type, with predominance in males and with average age at the onset of the disease of 6 months. Infectious respiratory processes were considered as the main cause of fever and the drug given most often was sodium diphenylhydantoin. The value of EEG in febrile convulsive crises was confirmed since the first graphic traces were abnormal in 95% of cases and that generalized paroxysmal or focal alterations were considered suggestive of epilepsy and or organic damage. The most common grapho-element was of slow wave of high voltage. Alterations in the E.E.G. persisted and was more abnormal in 23% of the cases including specific tracings in 37%. These findings are similar to those reported in other studies carried out in children with febrile convulsions.
Subject(s)
Seizures , Electroencephalography , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Phenytoin/therapeutic use , Respiratory Tract Infections/complications , Respiratory Tract Infections/drug therapy , Seizures/diagnosis , Seizures/etiologyABSTRACT
With the purpose of determining the advantages obtained in the electroencephalographic diagnoses of different clinical conditions, 567 electroencephalograms were practiced to 276 patients from the outpatient service of the Hospital Infantil de México of different ages and clinical diagnoses during various stages of wakefulness, spontaneous or sleeping induced with chlorous hydrate and nembutal. In comparative studies carried out under induced sleeping, it was found that bioelectrical abnormalities showed up in a high percentage of the recording obtained during wakefulness, independently of age; thus, it is considered the ideal state. And in cases suggestive of hypsarrhythmia, or where asymmetries are investigated it is convenient to practice recordings under both conditions: wakefulness and sleep.
