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Biomedical subjects

E M Bryan

Publications and source records attributed to E M Bryan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Airway responsiveness in low birthweight children and their mothers.

In a prospective study on a cohort of 7 year old children of low birth weight (under 2000 g at birth), we observed an increased prevalence of airway responsiveness to histamine compared with a reference population of unselected, local schoolchildren. The airway responsiveness to histamine was significantly related to a history of asthma in first degree relatives (natural parents and siblings) in both groups of children, but not to that of the mothers. There was no increase in the prevalence of maternal asthma, a family history of asthma, or airway responsiveness in the mothers of low birthweight children. We were unable to find evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal smooth muscle irritability (uterine and airway) has a causative role in the premature labour in the mothers and in subsequent bronchial hyper-responsiveness in their prematurely born children.

Asthma↗
PubMed1986

The death of a newborn twin: how can support for parents be improved?

The experiences and needs of mothers who lose a newborn twin were explored by sending semistructured questionnaires to 14 bereaved mothers. All mothers continued to think of the surviving child as a twin. Six had feelings of resentment towards the survivor. All felt their loss had been underestimated. Support could be improved by acknowledging the mother's grief and encouraging her to talk about the dead baby. Zygosity should be determined and reminders, such as photographs (of the babies together) and ultrasound scans, provided. All parents should be offered counselling and the opportunity to meet similarly bereaved parents.

Counseling↗
PubMed1986

Narrow heads of preterm infants--do they matter?

The biparietal diameters (BPD) and occipitofrontal diameters (OFD) were measured in a group of 203 newborn infants weighing 501 to 2000g, and at intervals until the age of three years. The heads of 96 normal-birthweight children were also measured. 11 per cent of the low-birthweight group had marked early narrowing, i.e. OFD/BPD (a/b) ratios of greater than 1.55. These babies were lighter and less mature, but by three years of age there was no significant difference in head shape or developmental quotient between these babies and the rest of the group. Intracranial pathology did not appear to affect head shape. At all ages the low-birthweight children showed greater head narrowing than those of normal birthweight.

Cephalometry↗
PubMed1985

Denver developmental screening test and preterm infants.

The results of Denver developmental screening test and Griffiths mental development scales examination performed on 198 preterm children during the first three years of life and compared. Using real age the former identified children with developmental delay, but labelled up to 42% of babies as having questionable or abnormal development. Using corrected age very few children showed less than normal development, and in the first year those whose Griffiths scales results showed delay were often assessed as normal by the Denver test. In view of its less satisfactory sensitivity and selectivity it is suggested that both age lines should be drawn when using the Denver test with preterm children so that undue anxiety can be allayed while appropriate action is taken to ensure adequate follow up.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1981

Hydrops fetalis in South Korea.

Excluding those with congenital syphilis all infants born in a hospital in South Korea with hydrops fetalis during a 47 month period were studied. In six out of a total of 17 cases no obvious abnormality was found. Abnormalities in the other cases included leukaemia, pulmonary cysts, ovarian cyst, haemangioma, peritonitis, limb contractures, left hypoplasia and maternal anaemia. The literature is reviewed and the pathophysiology discussed.

Anemia↗
PubMed1981

Alpha-thalassaemic hydrops fetalis.

Concentrations of total protein, albumin, colloid osmotic pressure, and immunoglobulins G and M were measured in the umbilical venous plasma of 4 infants with alpha-thalassaemic hydrops fetalis. Total protein, albumin, and colloid osmotic pressure concentrations were low, and these are likely to contributory factors in the formation of fetal oedema. Immunoglobulin G levels were low suggesting a reduction in placental transfer probably due to placental oedema.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1981

Congenital syphilis. A study of physical and biochemical aspects.

Twenty-three infants who had positive cord blood VDRL test results are described. Fourteen had clinical signs of congenital syphilis. All but one of the affected, and only one of the unaffected infants had high immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels. Several affected infants had low immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels suggesting poor placental transfer. Total protein, albumin and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) levels were generally within the normal range in the whole group, so these are unlikely to be responsible for the neonatal edema found in many of the affected infants.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1978

Serum alphafetoprotein in multiple pregnancy.

The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was determined in paired umbilical cord and maternal sera in 42 multiple pregnancies. No concentrations above 1.4 microgram/ml were detected in maternal sera. Although there was a significant inverse correlation between cord AFP levels and gestational age, large intrapair discrepancies were common and these were not influenced by birth order, weight, or malformations. Intrapair AFP ratios were higher amongst dizygotic (DZ) than monozygotic (MZ) twins. In a pair discordant for neonatal hepatitis, the affected twin had the lower level of AFP in cord serum, but AFP was still detectable at 55 days.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1977

IgG deficiency in association with placental oedema.

Deficiency of the immunoglobulin C (IgG) in the human newborn is rare in the absence of maternal hypogammaglobulinaemia. Low concentrations of IgG in cord blood were found in 3 conditions--the donor twin in the fetofetal transfusion syndrome, hydrops fetalis and congenital hepatic disease. These were all associated with placental oedema. It is suggested that the oedema may be responsible for a disturbance in maternofetal placental transfer.

Dysgammaglobulinemia↗
PubMed1976

Serum immunoglobulins in multiple pregnancy.

The concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) G.A.M. and E were determined in paired umbilical cord and maternal sera in 50 twin pregnancies. Mean IgG levels were higher in cord than maternal sera and in most cases the cord IgG level related more closely to that of the other twin than to either maternal level or birthweight, and was in the range for singletons of the same gestational age. The three cases of fetofetal transfusion syndrome were exceptional in the large difference between IgG concentrations in recipient and donor twins. The discrepancy was much greater than that found between the levels of proteins produced by the fetus, suggesting a disturbance in maternofetal placental transfer. IgM was detected in all cord sera, with one exception, and the level was not related to order of birth. IgA was detected in 16% of cord sera, 13% in sera from first borns. IgE was detected in only 8% of cord sera and there was no evidence of placental transfer.

Female↗
PubMed1975

The missing umbilical artery. II. Paediatric follow-up.

Bryan, E. M., and Kohler, H. G. (1975). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 50, 714. The missing umbilical artery. II. Paediatric follow-up. Of 143 infants with single umbilical artery detected by routine examination of the placenta, 25 had major malformations at birth; 3 of these survive. Another 6 were stillborn and 2 died during the first year of life. At follow-up 14 children could not be traced. 18 were assessed on the basis of reports by family doctors or parents ('report group'); 14 of these were considered normal. The remaining 78 infants and children were given a clinical examination ('examination group'); 64 were found to be normal. Malformations found in 10 children (6 from the examination group and 4 from the report group) are discussed. Most of the abnormalities detected were less severe and less conspicuous than those revealed at birth, and in a few instances only might have been diagnosed by a more thorough examination in the perinatal period. Failure to detect these 'less severe and less conspicuous' malformations is generally unlikely to be detrimental to the infant, with the exception of urinary tract anomalies which are known to predispose to infection. Included in the examination group were 16 children (out of an original 22) who had been 'normal' but small-for-dates at birth; 14 of these had now caught up. The remaining 2 were found to have abnormalities that had not been manifest at birth. The finding of single umbilical artery at birth commits the paediatrician to an intensive search for malformations which are not immediately apparent, but prolonged surveillance for this reason alone is not advocated.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A spare or an individual? Cloning and the implications of monozygotic twinning.

The creation of Dolly, the cloned sheep, raises the scenario of cloning in humans. Neither the case for, nor against, the ethics of cloning in humans is discussed in this paper. Instead, it considers the neglected issue of the likely happiness or otherwise of the resulting children if they are born as monozygotic twins or triplets. The advantages and disadvantages of twinship are discussed in detail, and it is concluded that recognized medical risks, and incompletely understood psychological effects, should be given serious consideration.

Animals↗