Multiple dose pharmacokinetics and acute safety of piroxicam and cimetidine in the cat.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the multiple dose pharmacokinetics and acute safety of piroxicam and cimetidine alone and in combination in cats. Seven healthy cats were included in this randomized-crossover study. The cats were assigned to groups designated to receive cimetidine alone (15 mg/kg, p.o., q12 h), piroxicam alone (0.3 mg/kg, p.o., q24 h), and piroxicam combined with cimetidine (both at aforementioned doses). The cats were dosed for 10 days followed by at least a 2-week washout period between trials. Serial blood samples were collected following the first and last doses and analyzed utilizing a high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (LC/MS) assay. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using noncompartmental analysis. Endoscopic evaluation of the gastric mucosa was performed and serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities were evaluated. There were not a clinically relevant difference between the pharmacokinetic parameters of piroxicam administered alone or in combination with cimetidine after either the first or last dose. Gastric ulcers were not observed in any cats although gastric erosions were. The SUN, creatinine, ALP, and ALT activities remained within reference ranges for all cats. It appears that once daily, short-term use of piroxicam alone and in combination with cimetidine in cats is relatively safe based on the parameters evaluated in this study. However, further studies are necessary to determine the long-term gastrointestinal safety of piroxicam.

[Quality of data acceptable for perinatal epidemiology surveillance: assessment of the health certificate at birth and the national obstetrics medical file. Study in three Seine-Maritime maternal wards]. / Qualité des données utilisables pour une surveillance épidémiologique périnatale: évaluation du certificat de santé à la naissance et du dossier obstétrical national. Etude dans trois maternités de Seine-Maritime (France).

Data from several sources could be used for perinatal epidemiology surveillance aimed at an assessment of regional programs such as those proposed by the Superior Committee for Public Health. A retrospective study of 561 births was conducted in three maternity wards in the French Seine Maritime department in order to evaluate the reliability of two data sources: the national obstetrics medical file and the health certificate at birth. The delivery room records were used as the gold standard. The sensitivity of the obstetrics file was better than that of the health certificate. With the obstetrics file, it was possible to identify almost all the vaginal route interventions, almost all the premature births and all the cesareans. With the health certificate, 39-58% of the vaginal route interventions, 61% of the premature births and 61-72% of the cesareans performed in the three wards studied were identified. The quality of data in the obstetrics file appears to be better than that in the health certificate but only concerns 40% of births in the geographical area studied. Inversely, the health certificate is theoretically delivered for all births (actually delivered for 93%). Integrating these two information systems could be an optimum solution.

[Fetal growth in premature infants in Haute-Normandie]. / Croissance foetale du prématuré de Haute-Normandie.

BACKGROUND: Fetal growth standards of preterm infants are different from one study to another, especially for extremely preterm babies. POPULATION AND METHODS: Between 1976 and 1990, a cross-sectional study of the resulting intrauterine growth of premature newborns from Haute-Normandie (France) was conducted by collecting data of the compulsory health certificate set up in the first week after birth. In spite of exclusions, curves for obstetrical terms ranging from 28 to 36 weeks of gestational age were settled. Equivalents of 8,042 birth weights, 7,792 statures, 8,041 head circumferences and 6,737 ponderal index were used. RESULTS: Comparing our results with those published in the literature, we observed short differences for mean or middle values: from less than 170 to more than 180 g for weight, from less than 1 to more than 2.6 cm for stature and from less than 1 to more than 1.9 cm for head circumference. CONCLUSION: The selected normal lower threshold for each parameter and the varieties of fetal growth inadequacy are under discussion.

[Behavior and opinions of health care personnel with regard to breast feeding]. / Comportements et opinions du personnel soignant à l'égard de l'allaitement maternel.

Breast feeding (BF) practice is related to cultural, social and economic patterns of the future mothers; nevertheless hospital personnel seems to have some influence on infant feeding habits. This study describes the professional practices among personnel in the maternity hospitals of the Departement de la Seine Maritime (France) and reports their opinions about BF. Most of the respondents consider that they have a small role in influencing the decision to breast feed, the choice being made before pregnancy. Delivery training sessions seem to be the most suitable time for information about BF. Psychological arguments are considered as the most effective approach. BF is not estimated as leading to an increased work goal by hospital personnel. BF appears to be generally well controlled by mothers before discharge. Technical factors were given as the primary influencing reason for cessation of BF. This survey indicates several ways for establishing future health education programs for the promotion of BF.