Biomedical subjects

G Deitrich

Publications and source records attributed to G Deitrich.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

[Analysis of the actual state of nutrition of elderly patients fed via PEG tube].

Over a period of six months starting from October 1, 2001, within the frameworks of quality checks in nursing homes and the examination to check the need of care, the data of 290 persons supplied with a PEG-tube were collected. In only 60% of all cases the individual weight had been recorded. For 40% of the group the most important regulatory parameter for calorie intake was not available. Weights which had not been measured were estimated by the MDK experts. In total, 27% of the PEG patients were underweight. Assuming an activity factor of 1.2 the minimal required amount of calories was calculated on the basis of age, height, weight and sex and compared with the actual calorie intake. Up to 19% of the patients with PEG were mainly fed orally. About half of these people could probably be nourished without a PEG. 66% of all people were fed exclusively via PEG. 47% of them received less calories than their basal metabolic rate (BMR), 70% received less than their minimal energy requirement. On average, the calorie intake was 171 kcal below the BMR. In those cases, where either an external nutrition expert was consulted or the actual weight was known, the share of patients receiving less than the required amount of calories was slightly lower. Within the framework of persons surveyed for the check of a need of care, the situation of those being taken care of in their private home surroundings was considerably better than of those who were living in a nursing home.

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PubMed1982

Indian Child Welfare Act: ideas for implementation.

The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 was passed to curb the excessive rate of placement of Indian children in non-Indian foster and adoptive homes. Congress concluded that these placements were abusive because of their contribution to the identity confusion of the Indian children who had been placed as well as the disruption of tribal culture. This article includes recommendations about implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act which are based on a survey of individuals involved in Indian child welfare as well as experiences of the author since completion of the survey in November of 1980. In general, the recommendations are: (1) Tribal and state agencies should make special efforts to coordinate services so that the unique difficulties faced by Indian families will be addressed; (2) Urban social service agencies should assign all Indian child welfare cases to one worker or a group of workers and cooperate with urban Indian associations in the transfer of Indian child welfare cases; (3) Social workers handling cases should be involved in all aspects of transfer and not leave the management strictly to attorneys; (4) Where the act is unclear, particularly in off-reservation emergency placements, the state agency must make the policy clear so that all workers understand how Indian children will be protected in emergencies; (5) In individual cases, as well as when negotiating agreements both tribal and state agencies should avoid compromising the rights of the parties involved or the principles of the act.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Cyclospora cayetanensis: first imported infections in Germany.

Over the last decade increasing numbers of enteritis cases have been attributed to infection with a new coccidian species that was named Cyclospora cayetanensis in 1993. Diarrhea caused by this agent is clinically indistinguishable from cryptosporidiosis, isosporiasis and microsporidiosis, but Cyclospora infections are often very prolonged (up to 15 weeks) and may cause severe weight loss. Diagnosis of infection is important because, in contrast to diarrhea caused by Cryptosporidium and microsporidia, treatment with co-trimoxazole is effective. Here we report the cases of two female patients, aged 70 and 58 years old, respectively, who suffered from severe, prolonged diarrhea after a vacation in Singapore, Java and Bali. Routine microbiological laboratory diagnostics were unable to demonstrate the presence of known enteropathogenic bacteria. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining of fecal smears revealed oocysts of Cyclospora cayetanensis, and treatment of the patients with co-trimoxazole was promptly effective. We would like to increase awareness of the possibility of Cyclospora infections in patients with prolonged diarrhea who have travelled to endemic areas.

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