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Biomedical subjects

C Mellis

Publications and source records attributed to C Mellis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The emergence of resistant pneumococcal meningitis--implications for empiric therapy.

BACKGROUND: Following the emergence of penicillin and cephalosporin resistant pneumococcal meningitis in the United States, inclusion of vancomycin in empiric therapy for all suspected bacterial meningitis was recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Few data are available to evaluate this policy. AIMS: To examine the management and clinical course in relation to antibiotic therapy of a large unselected cohort of children with pneumococcal meningitis in a geographic area where antibiotic resistance has recently increased. METHODS: Retrospective review of all cases of pneumococcal meningitis in a defined population (Sydney, Australia), 1994-99. RESULTS: A total of 104 cases without predisposing illnesses were identified; timing of lumbar puncture (LP) was known in 103. Resistance to penicillin increased from 0 to 20% over the study period. Only 57 (55%) had an early LP (prior to parenteral antibiotics); 55 (96%) had organisms on Gram stain. Severe disease (intensive care admission or death) increased significantly from 57 cases with early LP (28%) to 33 with delayed LP (42%) to 13 with no LP (62%). Evidence of pneumococcal infection was available within 24 hours in 85% of those with delayed or no LP. Outcome was not related to empiric vancomycin use, which increased from 5% prior to 1998 to 48% in 1999. CONCLUSION: LP is frequently delayed in pneumococcal meningitis. Based on disease severity, empiric vancomycin is most justified when LP is deferred. If an early LP is done, vancomycin can be withheld if Gram positive diplococci are not seen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Childhood asthma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Critical influenza virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of death from influenza infection in children with chronic underlying disease. METHODOLOGY: An 18-year retrospective study of children with 'critical' influenza A or B virus infection, defined as requiring admission to intensive care or resulting in death, but excluding laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB). Influenza infection was diagnosed by viral culture and/or immunofluorescence of respiratory secretions. Patients with LTB were analysed separately. RESULTS: There were 27 cases of critical influenza virus infection over the study period, comprising 26 admissions to the intensive care unit (excluding LTB) and one death on the general wards. Thirteen (48%) of the 27 children had chronic underlying disease. In addition, 12 children with LTB were admitted to the intensive care unit. The LTB children were older and less likely to have chronic underlying disease. Nosocomial infection caused seven (26%) of the 27 critical infections. Nine (33%) of the 27 children with critical influenza died. Six (46%) of 13 children with chronic underlying disease and influenza admitted to intensive care died, compared with three of 14 (21%) without any underlying disease (odds ratio = 3.1, 95% confidence interval 0.6-14.0). CONCLUSIONS: Critical life-threatening influenza virus infection was uncommon, but the mortality was high (33%), particularly in children with chronic underlying disease. Nosocomial infection with influenza was an important cause of admission to intensive care.

Bronchitis↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of a national surveillance unit.

AIM: The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) facilitates national active surveillance of uncommon childhood conditions. This study assessed whether it fulfilled its objectives and satisfied criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for evaluating surveillance systems. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires were sent to users of the system, individual studies were reviewed, and data were collected from independent sources. RESULTS: Seven hundred and sixty six clinicians, 48 investigators, and 15 public health professionals responded to the questionnaires. Clinicians reported that the APSU was useful, 33% saying information provided by the APSU informed or changed their clinical practice. Most (88%) reported that completing monthly report cards was not a burden. Impact on policy development was limited by suboptimal dissemination of information to public health professionals. Flexibility and timeliness were limited by design. Estimated sensitivity of APSU studies ranged from 92% (congenital rubella) to 31% (drowning/near drowning). Positive predictive value of notified cases was over 70% for most studies. CONCLUSION: The APSU fulfils most of its objectives and meets CDC criteria salient to these. Ways in which the APSU could be improved have been identified, as have methodological challenges and limitations in applying CDC guidelines to this type of unit.

Australia↗
PubMed1999

Clinical outcomes of newborn screening for cystic fibrosis.

AIM: To determine how early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, using neonatal screening, affects long term clinical outcome. METHODS: Fifty seven children with cystic fibrosis born before neonatal screening was introduced (1978 to mid 1981) and a further 60 children born during the first three years of the programme (mid 1981 to 1984), were followed up to the age of 10. The cohorts were compared on measures of clinical outcome, including height, weight, lung function tests, chest x-ray picture and Shwachman score. RESULTS: Age and sex adjusted standard deviation scores (SDS) for height and weight were consistently higher in children screened for cystic fibrosis than in those born before screening. At 10 years of age, average differences in SDS between groups were 0.4 (95% CI -0.1, 0.8) for weight and 0.3 (95% CI -0.1, 0.7) for height. This translates to an average difference of about 2.7 cm in height and 1.7 kg in weight. Mean FEV1 and FVC (as percentage predicted) were significantly higher in the screened cohort at 5 and 10 years of age, with an average difference of 9.4% FEV1 (95% CI 0.8, 17.9) and 8.4% FVC (95% CI 1.8, 15.0) at 10 years. Chest x-ray scores were not different between the groups at any age, but by 10 years screened patients scored an average 5.3 (95% CI 1.2, 9.4) points higher on the Shwachman score. CONCLUSION: Although not a randomised trial, this long term observational study indicates that early treatment made possible by neonatal screening may be important in determining subsequent clinical outcomes for children with cystic fibrosis. For countries contemplating the introduction of neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis, its introduction to some areas in a cluster randomised design will permit validation of studies performed to date.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1998

Fluticasone propionate 750 micrograms/day versus beclomethasone dipropionate 1500 micrograms/day: comparison of efficacy and adrenal function in paediatric asthma.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested a 2:1 efficacy advantage of fluticasone propionate (FP) over beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) in adults on high dose inhaled steroids and children on low dose inhaled steroids. The lower doses of FP required to provide equivalent efficacy to BDP also appear to have fewer systemic effects as measured by adrenal function. METHODS: The efficacy and safety of FP 750 micrograms/day and BDP 1500 micrograms/day were compared in 30 children with persistent asthma (requiring 1000-2000 micrograms/day of inhaled corticosteroids) in a 12 week randomised double blind crossover study. Medication was delivered by a spacer device in two divided doses. Primary efficacy variables were peak expiratory flows (PEF). Adrenal function was assessed by 24 hour urinary free cortisol levels at eight and 12 weeks and ACTH and low dose synacthen tests (LDST) at 12 weeks. The results were adjusted for sequence and period differences. RESULTS: There was no difference in the primary efficacy variables over the two 12 week treatment periods (difference in adjusted means for morning PEF 1.3 l/min (95% CI -6.1 to 8.8), p = 0.112) and symptom scores (cough, tachypnoea, wheeze, shortness of breath; difference in adjusted means of night time scores: -0.06 (95% CI -0.14 to 0.03); p = 0.136). Similar degrees of mild adrenal dysfunction were found during BDP and FP treatment phases. Identical height gain velocities were shown during the corresponding periods. CONCLUSIONS: FP 750 micrograms/day is as effective as BDP 1500 micrograms/day in children with persistent asthma. At these very high doses we were unable to demonstrate a safety advantage of FP over BDP as assessed by adrenal function. However, measures of adrenal function may have been influenced by concurrent and previous systemic steroid usage, and possibly by effects of disease activity.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

Nebulized budesonide is as effective as nebulized adrenaline in moderately severe croup.

OBJECTIVE: Nebulized budesonide and nebulized adrenaline have been shown to be effective in the treatment of moderately severe croup. However, there has been no direct comparison of these therapies. We undertook a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study in 66 hospitalized children with viral or spasmodic croup. METHODS: Children 0.5 to 6 years of age were assessed using a validated croup symptom score (stridor, 0 through 4; cough, 0 through 3; retractions, 0 through 3; dyspnea, 0 through 3; and color, 0 through 4) at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 12, and 24 hours after nebulization. Patients received either budesonide (2 mg/4 mL) or L-adrenaline (4 mg/4 mL) via nebulization. The primary outcome measure was change in the total croup symptom score. RESULTS: Thirty-five children received budesonide and 31 received adrenaline. There was no significant difference in baseline features, including croup score (mean [95% confidence interval]: budesonide, 7.1 [6.7-7.5]; adrenaline, 7.7 [7.3-8.1]). All patients had significant improvement from baseline, and there was not significant difference between the two treatments, as measured by change in croup scores, change in oxygen saturation, duration of hospitalization, number of subsequent treatments with systemic steroids or adrenaline, and adverse events. No child required intubation. CONCLUSION: This study does not show any difference in efficacy and safety between nebulized budesonide and nebulized adrenaline in the treatment of acute upper airway obstruction in patients with moderately severe croup.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1994

The effect of a comprehensive, intensive inpatient treatment program on lung function and exercise capacity in patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to measure the effects of a 10- to 14-day comprehensive, intensive hospital treatment program on peak exercise capacity, endurance capacity, respiratory function, weight change, and maximum inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures in patients with cystic fibrosis with a pulmonary exacerbation. SUBJECTS: Fourteen young adults with cystic fibrosis admitted to a hospital for an exacerbation of their pulmonary disease were studied. METHODS: Subjects performed pulmonary function tests, inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressure tests, and stationary bicycle exercise tests at admission and discharge. Comprehensive therapy provided during the hospital admission consisted of intravenous antibiotics, physical therapy, high-calorie diet, and daily medical review. RESULTS: The patients showed improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (46%-55% of predicted values) and forced vital capacity (62%-68% of predicted values). Maximum inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures also improved (118%-131% and 78%-92% of predicted values, respectively). There was a mean weight gain of 2 kg. Maximum work capacity on a bicycle ergometer improved from a mean of 45% to 52% of predicted values. The most impressive result was the marked increase in exercise endurance time from a mean of 9.5 minutes on admission to 16.6 minutes at discharge. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: This study indicates that young adults with cystic fibrosis and an exacerbation of their pulmonary disease obtain measurable benefits from a comprehensive, intensive treatment program, particularly improvement in their capacity for endurance exercise.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of alveolar hypoventilation in a six-year-old girl with intermittent positive pressure ventilation through a nose mask.

Persons with alveolar hypoventilation have abnormal daytime arterial blood gases and abnormal responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia in the absence of any identifiable lung or neuromuscular disease. The underlying defect in the control of breathing has not, however, been confirmed. We studied a 6-yr-old girl who was admitted in respiratory failure after a long history of disturbed breathing awake and asleep, which had been diagnosed as primary alveolar hypoventilation, (PaCO2 = 120). After several days of endotracheal intubation and assisted ventilation, her condition improved and she was extubated. At this time her ventilatory response to hypoxia was absent (VE/SaO2:0.1 l/min/% at a CO2 of 45) and there was a right-shifted response to hypercapnia (VE/PaCO2:2.6 l/min/mmHg). As obstructive sleep apnea was suspected, nocturnal nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was tried; however, it was not effective in maintaining arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation. Definite central apneas were observed during sleep both with and without nasal CPAP, and there was an absence of snoring. Her condition deteriorated, and there was a progressive increase in her awake arterial CO2 levels for a period of 4 wk. The IPPV with 5 cm H2O of PEEP was administered through a nose mask during sleep and this maintained both oxygen saturation and transcutaneous CO2 levels within the normal range. After 10 days of nocturnal assisted ventilation, the hypercapnic response returned to the normal position (VE/CO2:2.1 l/min/mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1984

Children with cough.

Most children with a cough have recurrent acute viral bronchitis or asthma. For both, the natural history is progressive improvement through childhood. An unrelenting cough with purulent sputum suggests suppurative lung disease and must not be dismissed lightly. In most cases the cause of cough can be determined by careful clinical history, physical examination and chest X-ray. Other laboratory investigations can be useful when underlying asthma is suspected.

Asthma↗