[BCG vaccination of the newborn infant with the 131 Copenhagen strain]. / Untersuchungen zur BCG-Impfung des Neugeborenen mit dem Stamm 1331 Kopenhagen.

From October 1, 1979 to September 30, 1981 a prospective study on the side-effects of BCG inoculation was conducted in the cities of Duisburg, Essen, and Mülheim, in very close cooperation with practising pediatricians, public health authorities, and obstetric departments. Particular consideration was given to suppurating regional lymphadenitis. In the period covered by the study 21.294 infants from 23.390 live births (i.e., 89%) were BCG-vaccinated using the Copenhagen 1331 strain manufactured by Behringwerke. A suppurating regional lymphadenitis occurred in 66 cases, i.e., a complication rate of 0.3%. The conversion ratio was high. Out of 8.144 documentation forms that could be assessed 6.840 (84%) attested to a positive tuberculin reaction caused by prophylactic test U 4. If the result of this test was negative a second test, after Mendel-Mantoux, strength 10, was used. According to this a total of 7.311, i.e., altogether 98.4% of the inoculation results evaluated, were positive. Both the conversion ratio as well as the incidence of ulcers at the vaccination site depend to a slight degree on the concentration of units in the vaccine which are capable of reproduction, to the extent that at higher concentrations the conversion ratio increases, as does the number of ulcers at the vaccination site.

Cerebral CT in fatal courses of resuscitated sudden infant death.

Three children revived after sudden infant death syndrome were observed by cerebral computed tomography (CT). The scans were correlated with clinical and electroencephalographic findings of brain deterioration. The salient features of the CT presentations are described. Necropsies performed in two of the three cases revealed liquefactive necrosis.

[Respiratory gas exchange during breathing of O2 in different inert gases (author's transl)]. / Respiratorischer Gasaustausch bei Atmung von 20,9% Sauerstoff in verschiedenen Inertgasen.

In 15 patients with chronic bronchitis with or without emphysema breathing of room air was compared with breathing of 20.9% O2 in helium and in argon. Minute ventilation and alveolar ventilation showed no differences, whereas the alveolar and arterial pO2 and PCO2 showed an improvement of the CO2 gas exchange and a deterioration of the O2 gas exchange. This contradictory behaviour cannot be explained by shunts or inhomogeneities or influence of gaseous or alveolo-capillary diffusion. Perhaps the physicochemical properties of the alveolo-capillary membrane change by the depletion of nitrogen. The recommendation of helium-oxygen breathing, proposed by other authors for patients with obstructive airway diseases, cannot be supported, when the gas exchange for O2 is deteriorated.