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Biomedical subjects

F R Kaufman

Publications and source records attributed to F R Kaufman.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Perioperative management with prolonged intravenous insulin infusion versus subcutaneous insulin in children with type I diabetes mellitus.

Our objective was to retrospectively evaluate glycemic excursion and insulin dosage in the perioperative period in children and adolescents with type I diabetes mellitus receiving prolonged intravenous insulin infusion for 2-3 days compared to conventional subcutaneous insulin treatment. A retrospective review of surgical admissions at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles in patients with type I diabetes mellitus was conducted for the 3-year period from July 1989 to June 1992, to evaluate two treatment protocols used during that period. For the nine admissions in group 1, patients received 0.06-0.1 units regular insulin/kg/h beginning 2 h prior to surgery and lasting for 2-3 days postoperatively; while, for the ten admissions in group 2 subjects were given subcutaneous regular and intermediate-acting insulin as 2-4 injections daily, with the regular insulin dose prior to surgery decreased to 66-75% of usual. Blood glucose levels were determined at the bedside at hourly intervals and insulin dose adjustment done with the aim of achieving blood glucose levels between 5.5 and 8.3 mmol/L (100-150 mg/dL). The mean bedside blood glucose levels for group 2 were significantly higher 1 h prior to surgery and during the intraoperative period (p < 0.05). In the postoperative period, group 2 blood glucose levels were significantly higher at multiple times for up to 3 days with multiple levels greater than 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), which was not seen in group 1. The mean insulin dosage (units/kg) prior to admission was not different for the two groups. On the day of surgery and during postoperative days 1 and 2, patients in group 1 received a greater insulin dosage than group 2 subjects (p < 0.025). In group 1, insulin dosage was increased 23% and 15% over baseline for postoperative days 1 and 2, respectively, then, by day 3, was decreased back toward the baseline. In group 2 subjects, a 13.8% increase occurred on the day of surgery due to extra insulin given immediately following the procedures, followed by a 5.4, 44.2, and 66.6% increase over baseline for postoperative days 1 through 3, respectively. In conclusion, meticulous glycemic control was readily achieved in the perioperative period with a constant intravenous insulin infusion for up to 3 days in children and adolescents with type I diabetes. To achieve glycemic control, insulin dosage needs to be increased on the day of surgery and for approximately 2 postoperative days.

Adolescent↗

Brain infarction in children with diabetic ketoacidosis.

During the last 10 years, five children were treated at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles for acute, persistent neurologic loss during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Four were transferred from local hospitals after the neurologic crisis. Computed tomography (CT) studies showed one or more areas of brain infarction in each patient, and none had evidence of diffuse cerebral edema. As three of the five patients had been treated for cerebral edema before their CT, brain edema may have been present initially. Our findings emphasize the importance of brain infarction as a cause of persistent neurologic loss in children with DKA.

Cerebral Infarction↗

Use of uncooked cornstarch to avert nocturnal hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with type I diabetes.

Intensive management of type I diabetes mellitus may lead to a significant increase in hypoglycemia. This study evaluated the use of uncooked cornstarch to avert hypoglycemia in 13 patients, ages 3.0-17.5 years, with diabetes and a history of nighttime hypoglycemia. The usual bedtime snack (Standard Snack Period) was given for 14 days followed by 14 days in which 25%-50% of the carbohydrate content was given as uncooked cornstarch in milk (Test Snack Period). Blood glucose levels were obtained at 0200 and before breakfast during the 28-day study. No difference was found between the mean (+/- SD) before breakfast blood glucose levels during the two periods; however, the mean (+/- SD) number of hypoglycemic episodes (blood glucose < 60 mg/dL or 3.3 mmol/L) was reduced significantly during the Test Snack Period at both 0200 (p < 0.025) and before breakfast (p < 0.01) compared to Standard Snack Period (Standard Snack 2.00 +/- 2.12 versus Test Snack 0.61 +/- 0.87 at 0200, Standard Snack 2.61 +/- 2.25 versus Test Snack 0.69 +/- 1.03 before breakfast). In addition, in four children who were evaluated with every-2-h glucose levels through the night, stable glycemia was achieved after cornstarch ingestion. Our results suggest that uncooked cornstarch may be useful to decrease the frequency of nocturnal hypoglycemia in type I diabetes patients. This low-cost, simple intervention might be considered as an adjunctive therapy to diminish the risk of intensive diabetes management.

Adolescent↗

Neurocognitive functioning in children diagnosed with diabetes before age 10 years.

Our objective was to determine scores on tests of neurocognitive functioning in children diagnosed with diabetes before age 10 years and to determine the association of age of diagnosis, duration of diabetes, subtle hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, and history of hypoglycemic seizures with these neurocognitive test scores. Fifty-five of 62 eligible patients with a mean age of 7.9 +/- 1.6 years followed in our center were given the Woodcock-Johnson Psychoeducational Battery, Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Finger Tapping, Grooved Pegboard, and Verbal Selective Reminding tests to evaluate the following domains: memory/attention, visual-perceptual, broad cognitive function, academic achievement, and fine motor speed/coordination. Fifteen age-matched siblings served as controls. Twenty-seven subjects were less than 5 years of age when diagnosed with diabetes, the mean age at diagnosis was 4.5 +/- 2.1 years of age, and mean diabetes duration was 2.6 +/- 2.0 years. Eighteen patients had a history of severe hypoglycemia, eight of whom had hypoglycemic seizures. The mean HbA1c was 7.8 +/- 1.1% for the year prior to testing. Our results showed that the overall mean scores for the extensive neurocognitive battery were within the normal range and were comparable to the scores of the age-matched sibling controls. Age of diagnosis and duration of diabetes did not relate to neurocognitive test results. Mean HbA1c had a negative association with some tests of memory/attention (p < 0.03-0.04) and academic achievement (p < 0.005-0.03), while number of blood glucose levels less than mg/dL had a positive association with memory/attention (p < 0.004-0.04), verbal comprehension (p < 0.03) and academic achievement (p < 0.018-0.05). There was no association of neurocognitive test scores with severe hypoglycemia, but subjects with history of hypoglycemic seizures had a decrease in scores on tests assessing memory skills (p < 0.03) including short term memory and memory for words. These data suggest that overall neurocognitive test scores were within the normal range and comparable to controls. However, specific aspects of neurocognitive functioning may be adversely affected by having had a hypoglycemic seizure, but not by episodes of severe hypoglycemia without seizure. Lower HbA1c and an increase in the number of blood glucose levels less than 70 mg/ dL (subtle hypoglycemia) which were associated with higher scores in some domains of academic achievement and memory suggests that stable glycemia may influence cognitive abilities and/or that successful diabetes management requires cognitive skills. Strategies to diminish the risk of seizures with hypoglycemia should be investigated.

Age of Onset↗

Review of slipped capital femoral epiphysis associated with endocrine disease.

Review of type and bilaterality of 131 cases (40 bilateral) of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in patients with known endocrinopathies (hypothyroidism, panhypopituitarism, hypogonadism) from 1960 to 1990 showed an increased frequency of patients with endocrine disorders, primarily hypothyroidism (nine of 131 patients, 6.9%); three had bilateral slips; six developed bilateral slips in an average of 11.17 months. Delayed growth plate closure is common in SCFE. Because hypothyroidism can be easily overlooked, all patients with SCFE should be screened for hypothyroidism by measuring serum T4 and TSH (such screening is inexpensive (r = $60). Pituitary deficiency should be considered in children short for their age who have hypogonadism. Any child with a unilateral slip and one of these endocrine deficiencies has a high risk of subsequent bilateral involvement. Prophylactic pinning of the uninvolved hip is recommended because 100% of our patients eventually had bilateral slips.

Adolescent↗