ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The effect of breastfeeding on the development of allergic rhinitis and other atopic conditions has been assessed in many studies but remains controversial. To elucidate this issue, a systematic review was conducted of prospective studies that evaluated the association between exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 mo after birth and allergic rhinitis. The 1966-2000 MEDLINE databases were searched and the reference lists of relevant articles were reviewed according to predetermined inclusion criteria. The methodological aspects of each study, duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, outcome measures, control for potential confounding variables and other factors were assessed, and estimates of the association between breastfeeding and allergic rhinitis were abstracted independently by the investigators using a standardized approach. Six prospective studies met the inclusion criteria. The summary odds ratio for the protective effect of breastfeeding was 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.54-1.01). The effect estimate in studies of children with a family history of atopy was 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.48-1.58). CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 3 mo after birth protects against allergic rhinitis in children, both with and without a family history of atopy. The protective association, although of borderline statistical significance, was substantial. Larger prospective studies with strict methodology and longer periods of follow-up are needed.
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Dermatitis, Atopic/prevention & control , Disease Susceptibility/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/prevention & control , Age Distribution , Child , Child, Preschool , Confidence Intervals , Dermatitis, Atopic/epidemiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Israel/epidemiology , Male , Odds Ratio , Prospective Studies , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology , Risk Assessment , Sex DistributionABSTRACT
Wax epilation is a popular and generally safe technique used to remove unwanted body hair. We describe two adolescent girls who sustained severe folliculitis following wax epilation. Despite treatment with systemic antibiotics and local treatment, their rash evolved to severe permanent keloid scars. We suggest that parents and adolescents should be advised to perform wax epilation in optimal hygienic conditions. Physicians should be aware of this possible sequela and treat it rapidly and aggressively, with both topical and systemic agents, to avert complications.
Subject(s)
Folliculitis/etiology , Hair Removal/adverse effects , Keloid/etiology , Adolescent , Female , Folliculitis/pathology , Humans , Keloid/pathologyABSTRACT
Three generations of a family with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism caused by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) unresponsiveness are described. Findings were low to normal serum thyroxine, raised serum TSH, and low radioiodine uptake; goitre was notably absent. This family is the first evidence of an autosomal dominant mode of transmission of TSH unresponsiveness and may enable identification of the precise defect by genetic linkage study.
Subject(s)
Hypothyroidism/genetics , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hypothyroidism/metabolism , Hypothyroidism/physiopathology , Iodine Radioisotopes , Pedigree , Thyrotropin/blood , Thyrotropin/physiology , Thyroxine/bloodSubject(s)
Clonidine/adverse effects , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/complications , Hyperglycemia/chemically induced , Child , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Insulin/administration & dosage , Insulin/therapeutic use , Tourette Syndrome/complications , Tourette Syndrome/drug therapyABSTRACT
Pyridostigmine bromide, a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), is effectively used as a pre-treatment to organophosphate intoxication. Previous studies have shown that an oral dose of 30 mg twice a day produces a sufficient inhibition of the enzyme activity (20-40%) without causing any significant adverse effect. During the Persian Gulf war pyridostigmine was taken for the first time under a chemical warfare threat. We searched for symptoms and complaints that may be related to the medication. Our survey included 213 soldiers who completed a questionnaire regarding possible symptoms and their severity. AChE inhibition level was compared between groups of soldiers with and without complaints. The most frequent symptoms were nonspecific and included dry mouth, general malaise, fatigue and weakness. Typical effects, such as nausea, abdominal pain, frequent urination and rhinorrhea, were infrequent. The severity of the symptoms was generally mild. The symptoms appeared around 1.6 h after taking the medication and recurred after each intake. No correlation was found between levels of cholinesterase and type or severity of complaints. Anxiety, which accompanies wartime, may have contributed to the appearance of significant symptoms. Further investigations concerning the effects of pyridostigmine ingestion under stressful conditions are warranted.
