Service directories: reinvigorating a community resource for self-care.

This article reviews the development, distribution, and effectiveness of a free, comprehensive mass-mailed community service directory designed for older people. While only half of a pre/post-distribution sample remembered receiving it, recipients of the directory indicate it increased service awareness and prompted various types of use. Alternatives for design and distribution of community directories are discussed.

Blood pressure response to dynamic exercise in adolescents before and after percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty.

The blood pressure response to maximal bicycle exercise was studied using the James protocol in two adolescents with renal artery stenosis before and after percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty. Prior to angioplasty, one patient (pt A) had persistent and one patient (pt B) had labile elevation of the resting blood pressure above the 95th percentile for age; both patients had elevated systolic blood pressure at maximal exercise (pt A: 215 mm Hg; James expected 170 +/- 20; pt B: 228 mm Hg; James expected 156 +/- 15). Following angioplasty, both patients had resting blood pressures below the 95th percentile for age; patient A had improved systolic pressure at maximal exercise (195 mm Hg) while patient B had persistent elevation in the exercise systolic blood pressure (215 mm Hg). Angiography confirmed the presence of residual/recurrent renal artery stenosis in patient B. We conclude that measurement of blood pressure during exercise may reveal residual abnormalities not apparent at rest and thus may be useful in assessing the result of renal artery angioplasty in children with renal artery stenosis.

Absorption of oral vancomycin - possible associated toxicity.

We report a case of an anephric child who accumulated significant concentrations of vancomycin during oral therapy for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis. Sustained serum vancomycin levels of 34 microgram/ml and CSF level of 4.2 microgram/ml were documented during an unexplained clinical syndrome of fever and encephalopathy. Discontinuation of drug and performance of hemodialysis reduced serum concentrations to 24 microgram/ml and were associated with rapid resolution of symptoms. Patients with renal impairment and intestinal disease who receive oral vancomycin may absorb and accumulate significant amounts of drug.

Development aspects of peritoneal dialysis kinetics in dogs.

To determine whether solute transfer during peritoneal dialysis is age related and to identify those factors which might explain age-related differences in dialysis kinetics, the peritoneal dialysance of [14C]urea (DU), [3H]inulin (DI), and the permeability index (DR = DI/DU) were examined in six puppies and five adult dogs. Exchange volume of lactated Ringer's (40 ml/kg) and exchange times (30 min) were identical in all studies. Theoretical calculations for urea dialysance for animals of differing body size were made. Assuming the existence of a similar functional peritoneal surface area per kg and the use of similar exchange volumes per kg and dwell times, theoretical values for the urea dialysance per kg for different sized animals were identical. The experimental studies demonstrated that DI per kg and DU per kg were higher in the puppies (0.146 +/- 0.023 and 0.765 +/- 0.054 ml/min kg; X +/- S.E.) than in the adult (0.052 +/- 0.01 and 0.462 +/- 0.05 ml/min/kg) (P less than 0.01). Also, DR was higher in the puppies (0.187 +/- 0.026), than in the adults (0.11 +/- 0.015) (P less than 0.05). The greater values for DI and DU per kg and DR in the young are best explained by the young having an increased peritoneal membrane permeability as well as an increase in functional peritoneal surface area relative to body weight. This increase in solute movement is independent of the dialysis mechanics used in an exchange and reflects age-related differences in the intrinsic characteristics of the peritoneal membrane.

Uric acid in childhood essential hypertension.

Serum uric acid concentrations and the fractional excretion of uric acid were determined in 31 children from 3 1/2 to 18 years of age with essential hypertension. While on an unrestricted sodium intake, elevated serum values of uric acid were found in 13 of 31 (42%) of the children. After ingesting a low-sodium diet (200 mg/day) for three days, mean serum uric acid values increased by 0.7 mg/dl (P less than 0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation between the serum uric acid concentrations and fractional excretion of uric acid during the normal and low-sodium diet. This study indicates that the major factor leading to hyperuricemia in our hypertensive patients was a decrease in urate clearance. Insofar as hyperuricemia may represent a cardiovascular risk factor, this abnormality already exists in a significant fraction of hypertensive children and adolescents.

Hypochloremic alkalosis in infants associated with soy protein formula.

Thirteen infants, 2 to 10 months of age, developed hypochloremic alkalosis (serum chloride 59 to 92 mEq/l) while taking Neo-Mull-Soy (Syntex), a soy-based formula low in chloride (measured to be 0 to 2 mEq/l) but with considerable potassium citrate. Range of symptoms included lethargy, anorexia, mild spitting up, diarrhea, hematuria, and growth failure. Urine chloride excretion was less than 3 mEq/l. Plasma renin activity or aldosterone, measured in six infants, was elevated. All responded promptly to supplemental salt. One infant receiving Neo-Mull-Soy redeveloped alkalosis when supplemental salt was discontinued. Two of nine apparently normal infants receiving Neo-Mull-Soy also had hypochloremia (85, 86 mEq/l). Three of four receiving Prosobee (Mead Johnson; Cl content 7 mEq/l) had urine chloride concentration less than 20 mEq/l. The chloride content of some infant formulas is insufficient to offset salt losses following mild stress.