ABSTRACT
Thirty-three children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were studied using serial cranial computerized tomography (CCT) and cerebrospinal fluid procoagulant activity (PCA) for 5 years from the time of diagnosis. PCA was also studied in control children without neurological disease and in those with a variety of neurological disorders. Temporary elevation in the CSF PCA was observed during the phase of prophylactic central nervous system treatment in ALL and there was a late rise at 2-3 years off treatment. PCA also rose in the CSF following CNS disturbance in neurologically abnormal children, which suggests that the elevation observed in ALL is not specific to myelin disturbance.
Subject(s)
Brain/diagnostic imaging , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/cerebrospinal fluid , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/diagnostic imaging , Blood Coagulation Tests , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedSubject(s)
Face , Granuloma/pathology , Mouth Diseases/pathology , Adolescent , Cheilitis/pathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Crohn Disease/pathology , Female , Humans , Lip Diseases/pathology , MaleSubject(s)
Dehydration/therapy , Diarrhea/complications , Fluid Therapy , Hypernatremia/therapy , Dehydration/etiology , Female , Humans , Hypernatremia/etiology , InfantABSTRACT
A care by parent scheme was established in the children's department of a university hospital. It was seen as the natural extension of the increased involvement of parents in the care of their children in hospital. A structured observational study was carried out to monitor its effect on the lives of child patients. Children in the scheme spent far less time awake alone, cried less, and slept less than those nursed unaccompanied. They had far more social interaction with a smaller number of adults, most of their contacts being with family members rather than hospital staff. Children with a resident parent but outside the scheme were generally in an intermediate position on these factors.
Subject(s)
Child, Hospitalized/psychology , Parent-Child Relations , Parents/psychology , Adult , Child , Child Care , Crying , Family , Humans , Patient Care Team , Social Class , WalesABSTRACT
A care by parent option was introduced into a general paediatric ward without any additional finance or facilities. Most parents coped successfully and were grateful for the opportunity of caring for their children. All believed that their children benefited from their active involvement. The nurses believed that their role was enhanced and their job satisfaction increased. This system offers advantages and could become more generally used in paediatric wards in Britain.
Subject(s)
Child Care/methods , Hospitalization , Parents , Pediatric Nursing/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Health , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , WalesABSTRACT
The application and interpretation of computerised spectral analysis of the neonatal electroencephalogram (EEG) using the Neuroscience Berg Fourier Analyser (BFA) is described. Recordings are immediately available at the cotside. Electrophysiological changes can be recognised by individuals with no previous experience in EEG technology. The compact nature of the analysis allows long periods of recording to be viewed within minutes. In addition to the unequivocal demonstration of both clinical and subclinical seizures, the BFA is useful in the evaluation of interseizure activity--that is, disturbance of sleep patterns, electrical output, and hemisphere asymmetry.
Subject(s)
Electroencephalography/methods , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Seizures/diagnosis , Brain/physiopathology , Computers , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Seizures/physiopathology , Sleep/physiologyABSTRACT
A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 86 children in prolonged remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was performed to calculate changes in the rate of increase in height and weight gain. The rate of increase in height decreased during initial treatment, and the potential for final adult height was not regained. Weight gain was excessive; this started during treatment and persisted into the remission years. Values of weight adjusted for height did not return to values found before treatment until eight years after diagnosis. Several factors can account for this weight gain, but there is a practical need to provide dietary advice, particularly when chemotherapy is stopped.
Subject(s)
Body Height , Body Weight , Leukemia, Lymphoid/physiopathology , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Infant , Leukemia, Lymphoid/drug therapy , Leukemia, Lymphoid/radiotherapy , Male , Retrospective Studies , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Between 1974 and 1981, 28 701 children in Wales were admitted to hospital for observation after an injury to the head. Only 22 of 35 who subsequently developed intracranial haemorrhage, presented for examination within 24 hours of the injury. All of these patients had symptoms or signs clearly needing continued observation or treatment six hours after the injury. Many children who are currently admitted to hospital could safely be discharged after a limited period of observation.