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Biomedical subjects

G M Nixon

Publications and source records attributed to G M Nixon.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The prevention of 'dry socket' with topical metronidazole in general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine if the intra-alveolar application of topical metronidazole gel could reduce the incidence of alveolar osteitis (dry socket) following routine tooth extraction in molar and premolar extraction sites. DESIGN: This was a multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 302 patients took part, of which 23 returned with alveolar osteitis. Of these, eight had received the metronidazole gel and 15 the placebo. SETTING: The study was carried out in three general dental practices by general dental practitioners working in England over the period 2000-2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following extraction of either a molar or premolar tooth, either a 25% metronidazole gel or KY Jelly was syringed gently into the socket. A painful post operative complication was recorded if either a dry socket was present or the patient returned with pain. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the incidence of alveolar osteitis between the placebo and the active gel groups was not significant and it was concluded that 25% topical metronidazole gel was not effective in reducing the incidence of alveolar osteitis. It was found that the incidence of alveolar osteitis reduced with increasing age and was more likely to occur in a patient with a previous history of the condition.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2005

Sleep and breathing on the first night after adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea.

Adenotonsillectomy (T&A) has established effectiveness for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, more than 20% of children with OSA have respiratory compromise requiring medical intervention in the postoperative period. The reasons for this complication are not well-defined. We aimed to compare the nature and severity of sleep-disordered breathing in children with mild and severe OSA on the first night following adenotonsillectomy. Ten children were classified into groups of mild and severe OSA, based on preoperative testing. On the first night after T&A, they underwent polysomnography, including electroencephalograph, submental electromyography, bilateral electro-oculograms, monitoring of respiratory movements, heart rate, ECG, and oxygen saturation. Sleep-disordered breathing was assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index, the SaO(2) nadir, and the desaturation index, including dips in saturation below 90% (DI(90)). Sleep quality was assessed by sleep efficiency, time spent in each sleep state, and respiratory arousal index. Obstructive events occurred postoperatively in all children, but were more frequent in those with severe OSA preoperatively: the median (interquartile range) mixed/obstructive apnea/hypopnea indicies were 6.9 (2.2-9.8) events/hr and 21.5 (15.1-112.1) events/hr for the mild OSA group and the severe OSA group, respectively (P = 0.009). Obstructive events were the major cause of desaturation during sleep postoperatively. Sleep quality was severely disrupted in both groups, with reductions in both slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep. In conclusion, despite removal of obstructing lymphoid tissue, upper airway obstruction occurred on the first postoperative night in children with OSA. This study is the first to demonstrate the mechanism of respiratory compromise after adenotonsillectomy, a common postoperative complication in children with severe OSA.

Adenoids↗
PubMed2005

Paediatric home ventilatory support: the Auckland experience.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the trend over time, describe the disease categories treated, intervention success and outcomes of the children treated at home with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and ventilation via tracheostomy (invasive ventilatory support, IVS) by the Respiratory Service at the Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of the Respiratory Service records from November 1991 to February 2004. RESULTS: Home CPAP, NIV or IVS was initiated in 160 children (89 boys, median age 6 years) in the study period. Sixty-nine (46 boys) remain on support and are still actively managed by the Starship Respiratory Service, of whom 46% live outside the Greater Auckland Region. Despite 42% of children being less than 5 years of age at initiation of therapy, institution of support failed in only 11%. The majority received treatment by non-invasive mask interface (68% (n = 108) CPAP, 29% (n = 47) NIV), with only 3% (n = 5) supported via tracheostomy. The numbers and complexity of support rose over the 12 years. Respiratory support was discontinued in 57% of cases, after a median of 12.5 months (range 3-52 months); in two-thirds, support was no longer required due to an improvement in the medical condition. The most common indication for support in current patients is respiratory parenchymal or airway disease followed by neuromuscular disease. Obesity is not a common indication. CONCLUSION: This review documents the increasing trend in children receiving respiratory support at home. Future planning and resources are needed to address this growing need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Sleep . 8: paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea.

In the past 25 years there has been increasing recognition of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) as a common condition of childhood. Morbidity includes impairment of growth, cardiovascular complications, learning impairment, and behavioural problems. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition in children differs in many respects from that in adults. We review here the key features of paediatric OSA, highlighting differences from adult OSA, and suggest future directions for research.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Female sexual health care in cystic fibrosis.

Fifty five teenage girls with cystic fibrosis and their mothers were interviewed to assess the provision of sexual health information. Parents were the most common source of information for adolescents. The cystic fibrosis doctor was identified as the key resource for parents. Yet few parents had spoken to their doctor about these issues, and 96% requested more information. This information was wanted before puberty by mothers, and from puberty onwards by girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Early airway infection, inflammation, and lung function in cystic fibrosis.

AIMS: To determine the relation between lower airway infection and inflammation, respiratory symptoms, and lung function in infants and young children with cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: A prospective study of children with CF aged younger than 3 years, diagnosed by a newborn screening programme. All were clinically stable and had testing as outpatients. Subjects underwent bronchial lavage (BL) and lung function testing by the raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique under general anaesthesia. BL fluid was cultured and analysed for neutrophil count, interleukin 8, and neutrophil elastase. Lung function was assessed by forced expiratory volume in 0.5, 0.75, and 1 second. RESULTS: Thirty six children with CF were tested on 54 occasions. Lower airway infection shown by BL was associated with a 10% reduction in FEV(0.5) compared with subjects without infection. No relation was identified between airway inflammation and lung function. Daily moist cough within the week before testing was reported on 20/54 occasions, but in only seven (35%) was infection detected. Independent of either infection status or airway inflammation, those with daily cough had lower lung function than those without respiratory symptoms at the time of BL (mean adjusted FEV(0.5) 195 ml and 236 ml respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In young children with CF, both respiratory symptoms and airway infection have independent, additive effects on lung function, unrelated to airway inflammation. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of airway obstruction in these young patients.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗
PubMed2001

Clinical outcome after early Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical consequences of acquiring Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection during early childhood in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). DESIGN: Prospective, observational cohort study of 56 children with CF identified by newborn screening during 1990-92. Each child underwent an annual bronchial lavage during the first 2 to 3 years of life. Clinical outcome was determined at 7 years of age. RESULTS: P aeruginosa infection was diagnosed in 24 (43%) cohort subjects. Four children died before 7 years of age, all of whom had been infected with a multi-resistant, mucoid strain of P aeruginosa (P =.04). In survivors, P aeruginosa infection was associated with significantly increased morbidity as measured by lower National Institutes of Health scores, greater variability in lung function, increased time in the hospital, and higher rates of recombinant human deoxyribonuclease therapy (P <.01). In this young CF cohort, best forced expiratory volume in 1 second was an insensitive measure of increased morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Acquisition of P aeruginosa was common by 7 years of age in this CF birth cohort and was associated with increased morbidity and mortality. An improved disease severity score would improve the evaluation and study of early CF lung disease.

Age Factors↗