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Biomedical subjects

B Zachau-Christiansen

Publications and source records attributed to B Zachau-Christiansen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Risk factors of infantile spasms compared with other seizures in children under 2 years of age.

To analyze the magnitude of the risk factors for infantile spasms, we evaluated the records of 80 children with infantile spasms, 474 children with other types of epilepsy, 2,196 children with febrile seizures, and 262 children with CNS infections. There was a family history of seizures in 13.8% of children with infaNtile spasms, 28.5% of children with other forms of epilepsy, 25.5% of children with febrile seizures, and 5.3% of children with CNS infections. Children with a family history of seizures were 2.82 times more likely to have infantile spasms, 7.05 time more likely to have other epilepsy, and 6.08 time more likely to have febrile seizures than controls (children with CNS infections). However, a family history of seizures increased the risk for infantile spasms only in the cryptogenic group. Children with infantile spasms were significantly more likely to have cerebral palsy, microcephaly, hydrocephaly, CNS malformations, neonatal hypoxia, or neonatal seizures than children with other types of epilepsy, febrile seizures, or CNS infections. There was a modest genetic predisposition to seizures in children with infantile spasms. However, our data suggest a much stronger association with underlying neurologic abnormalities, mainly neonatal seizures, neonatal hypoxia, and CNS malformations.

Age Factors↗

Pertussis immunization and characteristics related to first seizures in infants and children.

In a previous study in which we examined the relationship of pertussis immunization to the onset of neurologic disorders during 1967 and 1968 and during 1972 and 1973 in Denmark, there were 554 children with initial onset of epilepsy and 2158 children with first febrile convulsions. In the study population there were 112 children with epilepsy and 229 children with febrile convulsions for whom the exact date of pertussis immunization and the exact date of the onset of illness were known. We analyzed selected clinical variables by specific time intervals between pertussis immunization and the first seizure. In the children with epilepsy, no relationship was found between time of pertussis immunization and the specific variables that were examined. In contrast, the following characteristics in children with febrile seizures were significantly more common when pertussis immunization had occurred within 3 days, compared with more than 7 days of the event: first seizure more than 10 minutes in duration, the occurrence of more than one seizure, the longest seizure (when there was more than one) more than 10 minutes in duration, and the occurrence of a seizure described as focal. The lack of specific characteristics in epilepsy that had its onset in a temporal relationship to pertussis immunization is further evidence that pertussis vaccine does not cause this disorder. The cause of increased severity of febrile seizures apparently associated with pertussis immunization is unknown.

Humans↗

[Enuresis nocturna].

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Deamino Arginine Vasopressin↗

Relationship of pertussis immunization to the onset of neurologic disorders: a retrospective epidemiologic study.

A retrospective epidemiologic study examining the relationship of the time of onset of neurologic disorders with the time of pertussis immunization in two cohorts of children who received pertussis immunization at different ages is reported. Before April 1970, children in Denmark were vaccinated with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids with pertussis vaccine at 5, 6, 7, and 15 months of age. Since 1970, children were given monovalent pertussis vaccine at 5 and 9 weeks and at 10 months of age. A total of 554 cases of epilepsy with onset between 28 days and 24 months of age were reviewed, 286 from the 1967-1968 period and 268 from the 1972-1973 period. There was no relationship between the age of onset of epilepsy and the scheduled age of administration of pertussis vaccine. A total of 2199 children with febrile seizures were reviewed, 830 from the 1967-1968 period and 1369 from the 1972-1973 period. There was a statistical association between first febrile seizures and the scheduled age of administration of pertussis vaccine (p = 0.004). No relationship between pertussis immunization and the occurrence of central nervous system infections was noted.

Age Factors↗

Chronic otitis media and sequelae in the population of Greenland.

It is generally recognized that chronic otitis media and sequelae of this disease are frequently encountered among the native population of Greenland, but the prevalence of chronic otitis in Greenland has not previously been systematically traced. Treatment for this disease has improved and we expect an increased demand for treatment of this disease among Greenland natives. To evaluate the need of treatment the prevalence of chronic otitis media in two large Greenland towns was assessed. The study population included 303 persons aged 11-20 years and 305 aged 41-50 years. Medical histories were recorded and objective examinations were performed using e.g. oto-microscopy. Among the young participants, 8% had chronic suppurative otitis and 14% sequelae of chronic otitis media. Among the older participants, 2% had suppurative otitis and 13% sequelae of chronic otitis. It is estimated, using Scandinavian criteria, that 8.6% of the participants would have benefitted from an ear operation either to stop otorrhea and/or to improve the hearing. The launching of an oto-surgical effort in Greenland is considered justifiable on the grounds of the importance of hearing to communication and the isolation in point of the native Greenland population.

Adolescent↗

Relationship of pertussis immunization to the onset of epilepsy, febrile convulsions and central nervous system infections: a retrospective epidemiologic study.

A change in the pertussis immunization schedule in Denmark allowed a retrospective study examining the relationship of the time of onset of selected neurologic disorders with the time of pertussis immunization in two core cohorts of children. Records of 2,199 children with febrile seizures were reviewed and a significant association between first febrile seizures and the scheduled age of pertussis immunization was noted (p = 0.004). The occurrence of epilepsy and CNS infections did not appear to be related to the time of pertussis immunization.

Central Nervous System Diseases↗

Otitis media in Greenland children: acute, chronic and secretory otitis media in three- to eight-year-olds.

The middle ear status was examined in 142 children aged three to eight years from Sukkertoppen and Kangamiut in Greenland. The investigation is based on social-pediatric and otologic histories and on objective examination using otomicroscopy and tympanometry. Three-fourths of the small children had a previous history of otitis, some with repeated instances. Otomicroscopic findings revealed suppurative, chronic otitis in 6% and sequelae of chronic otitis in 13%. Tympanometry disclosed a reduced middle ear pressure in another 26% of the ears examined. Comparison of children with healthy ears with the groups with affections of the middle ear showed a tendency to an increased risk of otitis in families at a low social stratum, whereas the mode of habitation seemed insignificant. Finally, a large milk intake both in connection with breast-feeding and later in life seemed to reduce the frequency of otitis. The investigation showed that acute otitis and chronic otitis media in particular are more prominent in Greenland than in Denmark. Attention is drawn to the handicap associated with a high incidence of chronic otitis media and the concomitant hearing loss to a population isolated in point of language. The successful achievements of a health information campaign and an active therapeutic program, which has reduced the prevalence of chronic otitis among the Innuit population native to Alaska and Canada, provides the rationale for an increased otologic effort in Greenland.

Acute Disease↗

Relation between breast-feeding and incidence rates of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A hypothesis.

The variations in incidence rates of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in childhood within and between genetically very similar Scandinavian populations and the variations in incidence rates with time are difficult to explain. Epidemiological data show that the incidence of childhood IDDM may now be declining and suggest an inverse correlation between breast-feeding frequency and IDDM in childhood. Case-control data show that diabetic children were breast-fed for shorter periods of time than their healthy siblings and the population at large and that a smaller proportion of diabetic children were ever breast-fed. It is postulated that insufficient breast-feeding of genetically susceptible newborn infants may lead to beta-cell infection and IDDM later in life.

Adolescent↗