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Biomedical subjects

A Meberg

Publications and source records attributed to A Meberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Children with congenital heart defects in Vestfold 1982-88. Increase in the incidence resulting from improved diagnostics methods].

In the population of live born children in the County of Vestfold, Norway, during the seven-year period 1982-88 (N = 15,307), 138 cases of congenital heart defects were diagnosed (patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants excluded), an incidence of 0.9%. In 114 infants (83%) the defect was diagnosed before discharge from hospital after birth (nursery, neonatal unit), in 20 infants (14%) it was diagnosed later during the first year of life, and in four (3%) during the second year of life. In 24 children (17%) congenital heart defect was associated with a syndrome (Down syndrome eight, Edwards syndrome three, other syndromes three), or other congenital malformations (single eight, multiple two). Diagnosis was made clinically only (including ECG, phonocardiography and X-ray pictures) in 15 patients (11%). 13 were classified as having ventricular septal defects, and two were unclassified. Echocardiography was performed in 120 children (87%), heart catheterization in 44 (32%), surgery in 47 (34%), and autopsy in 12 (9%). 15 children (11%) died, all during the first year after birth. 45 children (33%) are healthy after spontaneous closure of a ventricular (41 children) or atrial septal defect (four children), and 15 (11%) after surgical repair. 63 (46%) are alive with a defect. We found a tendency towards increasing incidence of congenital heart defects. This increase was explained by echocardiographic diagnosis of small muscular ventricular septal defects in the early neonatal period, with spontaneous closure of the defect during the first year of life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Heart Defects, Congenital↗
PubMed1990

Declining incidence of low birth weight--impact on perinatal mortality and incidence of cerebral palsy.

The present study was undertaken to separate the impacts of a declining incidence of low birth weight from the effects of an improved perinatal care on perinatal mortality and incidence of cerebral palsy (CP) in an unselected population of infants and children. In the total population of infants with birth weight 500 g or more born in a Norwegian county (Vestfold) 1970-84 (n = 34,756), the incidence of low birth weight (500-2499 g) declined significantly, from 5% during the 10-year period 1970-79, to 4.1% during the 5-year period 1980-84 (p less than 0.01). The decline was stronger for very low birth weight infants (500-1499 g) than for moderately low birth weight infants (1500-2499 g) (31% vs. 13%; p less than 0.01). Perinatal mortality decreased from 17 to 10.3% (p less than 0.01), and the incidence of CP from 2.6 to 2.1% (p = 0.4). Because low birth weight infants were at increased risk for perinatal death and CP, the declining incidence of low birth weight was attributable 41.4% of the decline in perinatal mortality, and 40% of the reduction of CP from the period 1970-79 to 1980-84. Strategies for prevention of low birth weight may be important for further reduction of perinatal mortality and handicaps related to low birth weight.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1990

Hydrophobic material in routine umbilical cord care and prevention of infections in newborn infants.

In a prospective randomized study 2 different regimens for umbilical disinfection in newborn infants were tested: (i) a bandage of hydrophobic material (Sorbact; n = 1,213), and (ii) daily cleansing with 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol (n = 1,228). Infections were registered in the nursery as well as after discharge until 6 weeks of age, and bacterial cultures taken from infected areas. A total of 410 infections were registered in 377 (15.4%) of the 2,441 infants. Total infection rates of 16.3 and 14.6% were found in the hydrophobic material group and the chlorhexidine-ethanol group respectively (p greater than 0.05). No differences were found between the groups in infection rates in the nursery (8.9 vs. 8.7%), after discharge (7.4 vs. 5.9%), or in rates of different types of infections (conjunctivitis, pyoderma, paronychia, omphalitis) (p greater than 0.05). 536 strains were isolated. 498 (92.9%) were gram-positive, 45 (8.4%) gram-negative, and 7 (1.3%) candida strains. 229 (55.9%) were Staphylococcus aureus strains. No differences were found between the two groups concerning distribution of the different strains isolated. Separation of the umbilical cord occurred significantly later in the hydrophobic material group than in the chlorhexidine-ethanol group (6.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 5.8 +/- 2.1 days; p less than 0.05). Hydrophobic material does not prevent infections more effectively compared to 0.5% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1987

Three different manifestations of congenital muscular aplasia in a family.

This report concerns three different manifestations of congenital muscular aplasia/hypoplasia in a mother (aplasia of the left tensor fasciae latae muscle) and her two children (aplasia of the left depressor anguli oris muscle, right hemidiaphragm hypoplasia), indicating autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression (pleiotropy) as aetiology for the conditions.

Buttocks↗
PubMed1986

Smoking during pregnancy--effects on the fetal thyroid function.

Infants delivered at term by mothers smoking at least 10 cigarettes daily during pregnancy (n = 46) were found to be growth retarded compared to infants of non-smoking mothers (n = 49), birthweights 3,445 +/- 385 (SD) g and 3,667 +/- 392 g respectively (p less than 0.05) in the two groups. Cord serum thyrotropin (TSH) was significantly decreased (8.2 +/- 4.0 U/l vs. 10.3 +/- 4.9 U/l) and free thyroxine index (FT4I)/TSH ratio significantly increased (18.8 +/- 9.0 vs. 14.4 +/- 7.6) (p less than 0.05) in the smoking group compared to infants of non-smokers. Cord serum thyroxine (T4) and FT4I were higher in the smoking group (149.0 +/- 22.4 nmol/l and 125.5 +/- 14.9 respectively) compared to infants of non-smoking mothers (140.6 +/- 21.6 nmol/l and 120.0 +/- 16.5 respectively), with borderline statistical significance (0.05 less than p less than 0.10). The results indicate that infants of smoking mothers may have a hyperfunction of the thyroid gland at birth compared to infants of non-smokers, with a negative feed-back on TSH production from the pituitary gland. Increased metabolic rate and oxygen consumption caused by fetal thyroid hyperfunction may be pathogenetic factors for the fetal growth retardation caused by maternal smoking.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Moderate alcohol consumption--need for intervention programs in pregnancy?

Consumption of alcohol was investigated in two groups of pregnant women: an intervention group (n = 58) (two structured interviews during pregnancy including counseling focused on reduction of alcohol consumption and potential benefits to the fetus, and interview after delivery), and a control group (n = 74) (interview after delivery). Prepregnancy 80% of the women were light or moderate alcohol consumers, and 20% teetotalers. Pregnancy considerably reduced alcohol consumption in both groups. 66% abstained from alcohol during pregnancy, and use of liquor nearly ceased. The changes in alcohol consumption occurred independently to the intervention program. Strategy for reducing alcohol consumption during pregnancy should include a structured alcohol anamnesis at the first ante-natal visit, accompanied by counseling focused on reduction of alcohol consumption. More extensive intervention programs may be reserved for pregnancies at higher risk (high-consumers, abusers).

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Bacterial colonization and neonatal infections. Effects of skin and umbilical disinfection in the nursery.

In a prospective randomized study different regimens for skin and umbilical disinfection in newborn infants were tested: daily whole body soap wash (control group), daily whole body soap wash and umbilical cleansing with (i) benzine solution, or (ii) 0.05% chlorhexidine, and daily whole body wash and umbilical cleansing with a 4% chlorhexidine detergent solution (Hibiscrub). Bacterial cultures were taken from the nose and umbilical area at discharge. Clinical infections were registered in the nursery, and after discharge until 6 weeks of age. Cultures were taken from infected areas. In the control group a high colonization rate was found for S. aureus (91%), E. coli (39%), and group B streptococci (GBS) (20%). The colonization rates were influenced by the Hibiscrub regimen (colonization rate for S. aureus 59%, E. coli 23%, and GBS 10%), but not by the other regimens. Infections (pemphigus, paronychia, conjunctivitis, umbilical infection) occurred in 12.9% of the infants, of whom 65% got infection after discharge from the nursery. 96% of the infections were caused by S. aureus, and 87% caused by strains colonizing the infants in the nursery. None of the tested regimens reduced the rate of infections during the first 6 weeks of life.

Alkanes↗