PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Hurtado

Publications and source records attributed to E Hurtado.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Beliefs about children's illness.

Beliefs about child illness were investigated using semi-structured interviews with mothers and providers in four rural Guatemalan communities. The two most common forms of child illness in Guatemala--diarrhoea and respiratory disease--were focused upon. These illnesses are particularly difficult to prevent and treat, especially with the rudimentary health services available in rural areas of developing countries. Comparisons with other ethnographic studies in Guatemala suggest that some traditional models of illness causation identified in these earlier investigations are relatively unimportant in the communities studied here. This finding, in conjunction with frequent responses related to hygiene and water, suggests that traditional explanations may be co-existing with biomedical views of illness causation to a greater degree today than in the past.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Zinc supplementation affects the activity patterns of rural Guatemalan infants.

Zinc deficiency has been associated with growth deficits, reduced dietary intake and appetite, and has been hypothesized to result in reduced activity. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined whether 10 mg of oral zinc as zinc sulfate, given daily for up to 7 mo, affected activity patterns of 85 Guatemalan infants recruited at 6-9 mo of age. Infant activity was assessed by time sampling-observation method at 10-min intervals during a 12-h data collection period, at base line, 3 and 7 mo follow-up. Motor development and the percentage of time infants were observed in various positions (being carried, lying down, sitting, crawling, standing or walking) and engaged in various activities (eating, sleeping, resting, crying/whining or playing) were compared by treatment group. No differences in motor development were observed by treatment group. However, at follow-up 2 (after 7 mo of supplementation), zinc-supplemented infants were significantly more frequently observed sitting up compared with lying down, and were playing during 4.18 +/- 1.95% (P < 0.05) more observations than unsupplemented infants. They were also somewhat less likely to be observed crying or whining (P < 0.10) compared with those receiving the placebo. These effects are independent of other factors including infant age, motor development, sex, maternal education, family socioeconomic status and nutritional status at base line. Further research must be conducted to determine the long-term developmental importance of these differences in activity patterns associated with zinc supplementation in this setting.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

[Parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc99m Sestamibi].

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc99m Sestamibi, a tracer that is taken up by hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue, has a high yield in the diagnosis of abnormal parathyroid growths. AIM: To assess the usefulness of parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc99m Sestamibi in patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 29 patients with suspected hyperparathyroidism, in whom a scintigraphy with Tc99m Sestamibi was performed. RESULTS: Twenty four of 25 patients in whom hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue was evidenced with scintigraphy, were operated. Histological diagnosis of the excised parathyroid gland, showed 23 adenomas and 1 hyperplasia. Anatomical location disclosed by scintigraphy was concordant with surgical findings in all cases, including a mediastinic adenoma. Of the four patients with negative scintigraphic findings, two had transitory PTH elevations and in two the presence of adenoma or hyperplasia could not be demonstrated with other diagnostic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Parathyroid scintigraphy with Tc99m Sestamibi had an 86% sensitivity for the detection of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in patients with elevated PTH.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Maternal activity budgets: feasibility of exclusive breastfeeding for six months among urban women in Honduras.

Although exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is likely to be beneficial for infant health, mothers often cite time pressures as a reason to introduce other foods. Using 12-hr in-home observations at 19 and 24 wk postpartum, we compared maternal activity budgets and time spent breastfeeding among low-income, urban mothers not employed outside the home who exclusively breastfed (EBF) or gave other foods in addition to breast milk (BF+SF). Breastfeeding time was similar between groups (averaging approx 75 min/12 hr) except that multiparous EBF mothers at 24 wk spent more time breastfeeding their infants than did BF+SF mothers. However, total time devoted to infant feeding (including preparation and feeding of solids in the BF+SF group) was significantly greater in the BF+SF group than in the EBF group (except among multiparous women at 24 wk). Feeding frequency per 12-hr averaged 6.7-8.9 in the EBF group and 5.4-8.1 BF + 1.8 meals in the BF+SF group. Both EBF and BF+SF mothers had considerable 'free' time; they spent, on average, 2-3 hr during each 12-hr period resting, chatting or watching TV. Primiparous women tended to spend less time at household chores and child care than multiparous women. Of the BF+SF mothers, 60% said that breastfeeding was 'somewhat' or 'very' time-demanding (vs 15% of EBF mothers), 49% said that it interfered with other activities (vs 6% of EBF mothers), and 26% said that they gave other foods to extend the time between breastfeeds. Although many of the BF+SF mothers knew that giving foods may increase infant illness, there were cultural pressures not to exclusively breastfeed. For example, many introduced solids to their infants prior to 6 months because they believed that infants should 'learn' how to eat other foods, to 'acclimate' the stomach and learn to differentiate flavors. We conclude that time constraints are not a barrier to exclusive breastfeeding in this population, although they may be perceived as a barrier.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

Association of indicators of hygiene behavior with persistent diarrhea of young children.

We examined the association between water and hygiene-related behaviors and persistent diarrhea (duration > or = 14 days) among children under age three years in an indigenous rural Guatemalan community. Behavior indicators were specific aspects of the appearance of the mother, study child, other children and household that could be observed using a spot observation technique. Thirty-four percent of children had one or more episodes of persistent diarrhea during the year of study. Bivariate analyses found that a higher proportion of observations in which the anti-hygienic condition was observed was significantly associated with persistent diarrhea for 11 of 26 behavior indicators; these 11 indicators were also strongly correlated with each other. In individual logistic regression models, which included overall rate of diarrhea and other child characteristics associated with persistent diarrhea, six behavior indicators maintained significant association with persistent diarrhea: presence of toy on the ground, presence of baby bottle on the ground, the hands of the mother being dirty, presence of a fecally soiled diaper on the ground in the household compound, presence of feces in the yard, and the study child wearing a fecally soiled diaper. Three additional indicators closely approached significant association with persistent diarrhea. Excluding the three soiled diaper indicators, which might be the result rather than the cause of diarrhea, we found the six other behavior indicators to demonstrate a significant dose-response effect in increasing risk of persistent diarrhea. These findings suggest that behaviors which promote increased exposure of young children to enteric pathogens increase risk of persistent diarrhea.

Behavior↗
PubMed1990

[Physical growth and menarche in Guatemalan adolescents].

The relationship between anthropometric measurements and age at menarche was studied in a group of Guatemalan adolescents, from urban and rural areas. The data indicate that median age at menarche is significantly higher in Indian adolescents living in rural areas than in non-Indian, the lowest age at menarche being that of adolescents living in urban areas. The age at menarche is positively associated with anthropometric measurements (weight, arm circumference and height) and body composition (body mass index), suggesting that both physical growth and sexual maturation are interacting processes of the same phenomenon known as the development age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Platelet labelling with In-111-oxine: platelet survival and the images].

We studied 10 male and 2 female normal non-smoker volunteers (mean age 25) by labeling of autologous platelets with 111-In oxine. Daily samples for platelet survival were obtained in all, gamma-camera images in 10 and blood pool digital subtraction with 99m-Tc labeled erythrocytes in 6. Mean platelet count was 594 +/- 235 10(3)/mm3; collagen platelet aggregation pre and post labeling was 74 +/- 4.8 and 70 +/- 10%, respectively. Mean labeling efficacy was 65 +/- 15.4%, mean labeling dose was 201 +/- 79.5 microCi. A linearized initial survival of 7.9 +/- 1 day was obtained. Scintigraphic images showed circulating activity, greater in the spleen, persisting after digital subtraction. The method described can be used for clinical evaluation of platelet disorders and thrombosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Breast feeding in the etiology of diarrhea].

Information derived from different anthropological studies carried out in Guatemala as part of the activities of the maternal and child health and nutrition project reveal that, according to popular beliefs, maternal milk plays a definite role in the etiology of diarrheal diseases in the lactating child. This paper presents information on popular classification of diarrheal diseases that differ from biomedical definitions of same. Different factors that may alter the quality of mothers' breast milk and that may cause gastrointestinal diseases in the lactating child are given in detail. The possibilities and limitations of the popular concept frame of "hot-cold", so common in the popular medical beliefs in Latin American populations, are also pointed out as an explanatory model. Lastly, implications of findings in this study are suggested for public health programs, especially for the communication and education programs on breast feeding, and for the application of the high-risk focus.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1989

[The glucose perfusion test: value in detecting fetal distress].

The authors use an intravenous dose of 0.5 g glucose/kg. body weight as a fetal stimulation test in one hundred pregnant patients after the 34th week. Glucose produced a remarkable increase of fetal heart rate variability, as well as an increase in the number of fetal movements and accelerations. Those fetuses lacking reactivity before and after the glucose test presented, in 55.5% of the cases, neonatal depression. This suggests that glucose perinatal surveillance is of utmost importance in these cases. The glucose overload test presents a clear advantage with respect to the oxytocin test, which is the total absence of labor stimulation and this may not be desirable in cases of prematurity or previous uterine scars.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Anthropological involvement in the Central American diarrheal disease control project.

The process of conducting applied anthropological work leading to health program development and evaluation is seldom described in the literature. This paper discusses the combination of factors which led to the involvement of anthropologists in the Central American Child Survival Project and how anthropological approaches are being used in the project. Ethnoclassification was used to illustrate the discrepancy between the proposed approach to treatment for dehydration produced by diarrheal disease and the actual beliefs and practices in 4 Central American communities. Techniques such as rapid, focused assessment using anthropological methods of data collection and presentation are discussed, as are strategies for presenting this information to health program planners and administrators.

Anthropology, Cultural↗
PubMed1986

Growth hormone secretion in patients with constitutional delay of growth and pubertal development.

Growth hormone levels were measured every 30 minutes during sleep over 9 hours in 20 prepubertal patients with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CGD) and in 10 age-matched controls, all of whom had had normal GH responses to an orally administered dose of clonidine. We found no significant difference in the mean 9-hour overnight GH concentration between groups (4.5 +/- 1.8 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) in the CGD group, 4.4 +/- 2.8 ng/ml in the control group). Total GH output (258 +/- 99 U vs 222 +/- 135 U), total number of nocturnal GH pulses (3.6 +/- 0.8 vs 3.3 +/- 1.3), mean peak GH response during nocturnal sampling (13 +/- 1.2 ng/ml vs 13.2 +/- 1.3 ng/ml), and basal somatomedin C concentrations were not different in the children with growth delay and controls. We conclude that prepubertal patients with constitutional delay of growth and puberty secrete GH normally and do not seem to have any abnormality in GH regulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Identification of a carrier by using Vi enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serology in an outbreak of typhoid fever on an Indian reservation.

In May 1981 an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred in a small village on a southwestern United States Indian reservation. Five of the six culture-proven cases, but only 2 of 15 community, age-matched controls, had eaten food prepared for a party held in the village on 20 April (chi-square = 4.3; P less than 0.05). Food histories obtained from 16 persons who ate food at the party suggested that chicken with chili (P = 0.03) and potato salad (P = 0.09) were possible vehicles. Eleven adults who attended the party, 5 of whom helped prepare an implicated food, were studied with one or more stool cultures and serum for Vi antibody by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and hemagglutination techniques. All initial stool cultures were negative for Salmonella typhi; however, one subject, a 70-year-old female foodhandler, had a Vi antibody titer of 1:320 by ELISA. Subsequent cultures from this subject were positive for S. typhi. ELISA for Vi antibody directed the investigators to a single individual as the most probable carrier source and obviated the need for multiple fecal cultures from the other potential carriers identified by the epidemiological investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Oral clonidine-an effective growth hormone-releasing agent in prepubertal subjects.

The effects of clonidine, metoclopramide, and insulin on growth hormone, cortisol, and glucose concentrations in the blood of 17 healthy prepubertal short children (Group A) and five prepubertal growth hormone-deficient children (Group B) were evaluated. The peak serum growth hormone values after insulin and clonidine were significantly higher than after metoclopramide administration. Growth hormone values did not rise above baseline values in Group B patients with any of these three stimuli. Plasma cortisol concentrations did not change with metoclopramide but increased significantly with insulin and decreased significantly after clonidine; no changes in glucose values were noted with either clonidine or metoclopramide. Clonidine appears to be a reliable, sensitive, and safe out-patient stimulation test of growth hormone reserve in prepubertal children, whereas metoclopramide seems not to be a suitable growth hormone-releasing agent in this age group.

Administration, Oral↗