ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In most instances, constipation is considered idiopathic or functional. The total and segmental colonic transit time, traced by radio- opaque markers, makes possible the identification of the colon segment that has the motility alteration that causes constipation. METHODS: A study was performed of 13 adolescents, aged 12 to 18, with functional chronic constipation and 13 without constipation. In all of them the total and segmental colonic transit times were measured with radio-opaque markers. The adolescents ingested 20 markers each on three successive days, and on the fourth day a plain abdominal radiograph was performed. RESULTS: In the nonconstipated adolescents the total colonic transit time (mean +/- SD) was 30.2 +/- 13.1 hours, in the right colon 5.7 +/- 3.9 hours, in the left colon 7.9 +/- 7.8 hours, and in the rectosigmoid 15.5 +/- 10.6 hours. In the constipated adolescents, the total colonic transit time was 58.3 +/- 17.4 hours, in the right colon 15.9 +/- 12.4 hours, in the left colon 14.7 +/- 13.4 hours, and in the rectosigmoid 17.2 +/- 16.2 hours. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the total colonic transit time, and in both the right and left colon transit times between constipated and nonconstipated adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of total and segmental colonic transit times is a simple method that allows one to distinguish constipation due to colonic dysfunction (right colon and left colon) from constipation due to distal obstruction (rectosigmoid).
Subject(s)
Colon/physiopathology , Constipation/diagnostic imaging , Constipation/physiopathology , Contrast Media , Gastrointestinal Transit , Adolescent , Child , Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , RadiographyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To identify the clinical findings of first attack in acute rheumatic fever (ARF), and to find a profile of its epidemiology. METHODS: Results of clinical manifestations, incidence, laboratory findings relative to a new cases of first attack in ARF were studied. Six hospitals in Porto Alegre area were involved in the surveillance, during 16 months between 1992 and 1993. RESULTS: Fifty-one cases with clinical manifestations were recorded: 40 (78.4%) cases with arthritis; 28 (56%) with carditis; 6 (11.8%) with Sydenhan's Chorea, 6 (11.8%) with erythema marginatum and 4 (7.8%) with subcutaneous nodes. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic criteria firstly described by Jones are still employed in the clinical diagnosis in ARF in a first attack and that remains the principal etiology of valvar heart disease in that city.
Subject(s)
Rheumatic Fever/epidemiology , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Brazil/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Prevalence , Rheumatic Fever/diagnosis , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
O trabalho apresenta a experiencia no Controle de Diarreia Aguda na infancia, a nivel ambulatorial. No periodo de dezembro/ 1982 a marco/1983, foram atendidos 4.829 pacientes com diarreia aguda em 32 Unidades Sanitarias da Regiao Metropolitana de Porto-Alegre, da Secretaria de Saude e Meio Ambiente do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Sao comentados aspectos quanto ao diagnostico, tratamento e adaptacao dos diferentes niveis de atendimento ambulatorial. Os metodos propostos sao baseados no Programa de Controle da Doenca Diarreica Aguda, preconizado pela Organizacao Mundial de Saude (OMS). Esta etapa do trabaho apresentou um coeficiente de letalidade de 0,082%
Subject(s)
Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Humans , Primary Health Care , Dehydration , Diarrhea, Infantile , Fluid TherapyABSTRACT
O estabelecimento da etiologia de sangramento retal na infancia, como em adultos,e um fato de extrema importancia. Em nosso meio, poucas sao as publicacoes a respeito do assunto.Os autores estudaram 23 pacientes com polipo juvenil.Vinte pacientes com sangramento retal e tres com prolapso do polipo sem sangramento. Inspecao toque retal e retossigmoidoscopia, com anestesia geral foram realizadas em todos os pacientes, em bloco cirurgico. Foram analisados os seguintes aspectos: clinicos, distancia da margem anal dos polipos, relacao entre o toque retal e exame endoscopico para o diagnostico, numero de polipos encontrados por exame e numero de sessoes de resseccao endoscopica por paciente. Todos os polipos ao exame anatomopatologico, foram hamartomatosos
