PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

H A Kilham

Publications and source records attributed to H A Kilham.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Methylmalonic aciduria: a variant form of methylmalonyl coenzyme A apomutase deficiency.

Sisters aged 3 and 4 1/2 years, respectively, who had grown and developed normally were found to have methylmalonic aciduria. The elder had had only one previous illness, at 18 months, and was thriving at six years without treatment; she was excreting up to 2 gm methylmalonic acid per day. The younger sister died during her third episode of illness, at 3 years of age. Studies of cultured skin fibroblasts showed deficient methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase apoenzyme activity; cobalamin metabolism was normal. There was a moderate response in cultured cells to large amounts of added hydroxycobalamin; but treatment of the patient with high doses of intramuscular vitamin B12 for ten days failed to lower the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid.

Apoenzymes

Rational therapy for thyroid storm.

An approach to the management of patients with thyroid storm is described. The treatment regimen, which is directed against the abnormalities as they are presently understood, incorporates: (a) Propranolol to inhibit the catecholamine-mediated peripheral effects of the circulating thyronines; (b) Propylthiouracil to inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis and to inhibit peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine (T3), the predominant source of T3 production; (c) Iodine to block the glandular release of thyroid hormones; (d) Dexamethasone along with general supportive therapy. The regimen has been used for a 13 year old schoolgirl with thyroid storm, and the induced rapid fall in serum T3 levels is illustrated. It has also been used in patients with florid thyrotoxicosis undergoing emergency surgery and has resulted in marked clinical improvement associated with rapid decreases in serum T3 levels. It is a simple and efficient regimen, rendering cumbersome forms of therapy such as plasmapheresis and peritoneal dialysis unnecessary.

Adolescent