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Biomedical subjects

H Madsen

Publications and source records attributed to H Madsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The relationship between prior cervical conization, cervical microbial colonization and preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

The occurrence of prior cervical conization and the cervical microbial colonization was investigated in 38 women with idiopathic preterm labor, 35 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and 75 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). The frequency of prior cervical conization was significantly higher in PPROM patients compared to normal pregnant women (P < 0.001) and to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.01). Lactobacilli occurred with a lower frequency in patients with PPROM compared to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.05) and control patients (P = 0.0543)-and with a lower frequency in patients with prior cervical conization (P < 0.05). All other microorganisms occurred with the same frequencies in all groups. The absence of lactobacilli may indicate changes in the cervical flora, which could increase the risk of PPROM. Prior cervical conization may impair the antimicrobial defense-mechanisms in the cervix, which could facilitate ascending microbial colonization. This may lead to a release of prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes and subsequently preterm labor and rupture of the membranes.

Adult

[Hysteroscopically guided endometrial destruction in the treatment of menorrhagia].

Until recently, hysterectomy has been the alternative method of treatment in cases of premenopausal menorrhagia where it has not proved possible to obtain satisfactory regulation of the haemorrhage by medical means. Within recent years, a series of hysteroscopic methods have been developed for selective destruction of the endometrium by means of neodymium-laser, electroresection and coagulation. Compared with hysterectomy, hysteroscopic destruction of the endometrium appears to be a much more rapid, simpler and cheaper form of treatment of menorrhagia and appears to be associated with considerably fewer complications. The duration of hospitalization and the period of convalescence can be reduced considerably but, primarily, a large group of women can avoid hysterectomy. As yet, no controlled investigations of selective destruction of the endometrium as compared with conventional hysterectomy are available. There are no comparative investigations of the different methods nor of the long-term sequelae after destruction of the endometrium. This method of treatment has hitherto only been employed to a limited extent in Denmark. Coordination of the activities in this field in connection with establishing this form of treatment in Denmark should be encouraged.

Dilatation and Curettage

Ecological studies on the intermediate host snails and the relevance to schistosomiasis control.

A detailed knowledge of distribution patterns of schistosome intermediate hosts and their population dynamics and factors affecting these patterns will provide useful information about the possibilities and desirability of conducting snail control measures in various transmission situations. On the basis of various case studies the association between the occurrence of human water contacts and the presence of schistosome intermediate hosts or infections in the intermediate hosts is illustrated. Other parameters affecting snail distribution patterns and density fluctuations are discussed. It is concluded that ecological studies on the intermediate hosts are extremely relevant, either to optimally apply existing control measures or to develop alternative measures of snail control, such as ecological or biological control.

Animals

[The relationship between low pH in the umbilical cord artery in neonates and later development of cerebral paresis].

Routine determination of the pH in umbilical arterial blood immediately after delivery is a commonly employed variable for assessing the risk of subsequent cerebral paresis caused by hypoxia. Opinions differ regarding the lower limit for normal NS-pH (acidosis limit) and this is due mainly to variable conceptions of what a normal delivery is. Lower limits from 7.04 to 7.14 are thus observed if the limit -2 SD is chosen. Even if the limit of 7.04 is chosen, only very few of the infants who are acidotic on delivery subsequently develop cerebral paresis. The most important reason for this is that the prevalence of cerebral paresis developed as a result of hypoxia during delivery is very low and that a low NS-pH value most probably originates from a neonate who recovers without cerebral paresis. Another reason is that the relationship between the pH value and the degree of hypoxia is far from perfect and this holds also true for the relationship between the degree of hypoxia and cerebral paresis. It is therefore concluded that in connection with cerebral paresis, NS-pH does not fulfill the requirements of a diagnostic test. Determination of NS-pH may, on the other hand, be of significance for neonatal treatment as the combination of a low Apgar score and NS-pH is a reasonable predictor for the neonatal morbidity.

Cerebral Palsy

The influence of maternal weight, smoking, vascular complications and glucose regulation on the birth weight of infants of type 1 diabetic women.

The influence of maternal blood glucose regulation, weight gain, pre-pregnancy weight, vascular complications and smoking on the birth weight of infants was investigated in 72 type 1 (insulin-dependent) pregnant diabetic women. In patients with vascular complications (n = 23) the birth weight was significantly lower than in patients without vascular involvement (n = 49) (mean 380 g, P less than 0.05). The mean RBWR (relative birth weight ratio) of infants of patients who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day was statistically significant lower compared to the mean RBWR of infants of non-smokers (P less than 0.025). A significant correlation was present between haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and RBWR (r = 0.28, P less than 0.02) and between maternal net weight gain and RBWR (r = 0.36, P less than 0.005) and this correlation became even stronger when only patients without vascular lesions were considered (n = 49) (r = 0.51, P less than 0.005) and (r = 0.50, P less than 0.005), respectively. In contrast no correlation was found between pre-pregnancy weight and RBWR. The study suggests that factors other than maternal hyperglycaemia stimulate fetal growth and may explain why fetal macrosomia may occur despite of strict blood glucose regulation.

Adult

[Idiopathic preterm delivery and subclinical genital infection].

Investigations from abroad suggest that idiopathic preterm delivery may be due to ascent of microorganisms from the cervix. These may then colonize the decidua, foetal membranes and amniotic fluid and may thus precipitate preterm contractions or rupture of the membranes. In subclinical urogenital infections, antibiotic treatment appears, in some cases, to be capable of reducing the risk of preterm birth. In cases of treated premature delivery, antibiotic treatment may possibly prolong the pregnancy and prevent neonatal and puerperal infections. Further investigations are, however, recommended before introduction of routine antibiotic treatment in cases of threatened premature birth.

Amniotic Fluid

Group B streptococcal chorioamnionitis and neonatal septicemia following 8 days pivampicillin and metronidazol prophylaxis after premature rupture of membranes; a case report.

A case of preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in the 31st week of gestation is reported. Initial cultures from the cervix and urine were without pathogenic microorganisms. After 8 days of prophylactic pivampicillin and metronidazol, culture from the cervix showed profuse growth of Group B Streptococci (GBS) and the patient developed symptoms of chorioamnionitis. Cesarean section was performed and the infant presented GBS-septicemia. In spite of continued treatment with pivampicillin, culture from the cervix on day 6 post partum still showed profuse growth of GBS. Prolonged prophylactic per oral administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics after PPROM may not always protect against infectious complications. Literature is reviewed, and it is discussed whether the applied regimen in some cases even may favour the occurrence of serious infections.

Adult

Maternal-fetal listeriosis: 2 case reports.

Two cases of maternal-fetal infection with Listeria monocytogenes are reported. Both women were admitted with influenza-like symptoms and preterm labor at 32 and 34 weeks of gestation, respectively. The infants were delivered within a few days of onset of maternal symptoms. One infant was seriously ill with meningitis and subsequently developed hydrocephalus. The other infant suffered from septicemia, but had no sequelae. It is recommended always to consider the diagnosis listeriosis in pregnant women with fever of unknown origin and preterm labor.

Adult

[Risk of high copper content in drinking water].

Copper occurs in small amounts in certain food items, but toxic exposures in Northern Europe have occurred only in connection with contaminated drinking water. Chronic exposure of small children can result in development of Indian Childhood Cirrhosis. This disease has recently been documented in Germany as a result of drinking water contaminated from corrosion of water pipes made of copper. Continued diarrhoea in small children can also be due to high copper exposure. Copper is not routinely determined in drinking water in Denmark. Further, no central registration is available concerning water with low pH or the types of water pipes used in houses.

Child

Unexpected survival after conservative management of cord prolapse in two very preterm babies.

Two very preterm infants (24 and 25 weeks) were born vaginally in spite of prolapse of the umbilical cord. The prolapses lasted 45 min and 2 h, respectively, but though both babies were at first believed to be lost, they survived, only mild to moderate asphyxia, and both were discharged well. One of the babies later developed slight neurological sequelae. Even a very preterm baby has the possibility of surviving vaginal delivery complicated by cord prolapse.

Adult

The spread of freshwater snails including those of medical and veterinary importance.

The present paper discusses the spread of freshwater snails that act as intermediate hosts for various trematodes that cause diseases in man and in cattle. Examples of snail species which have spread across natural barriers are reviewed as well as the mechanisms involved in this transport. Focus is put on the extensive trade in freshwater aquatic plants and aquarium fish, and the need for better control of this trade is emphasized in order to minimize the risk of unintended import of potentially harmful snails.

Animals

Trials on focal molluscicide application in larger irrigation canals and lakes in Mali.

Schistosomiasis transmission in some irrigation schemes in Mali, appears to be very focal, and mainly occurs in human water contact sites close to villages. On this background, a strategy of focal snail control based on application of molluscicide to such sites only, was to be implemented in these areas. However, transmission often occurs in larger canals and lakes, and in these habitats focal snail control is obviously very difficult. This paper deals with experiments carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of focal application of 70% Bayluscide wettable powder in such habitats. Bayluscide was applied in two different ways depending on snail distribution within the sites. When snails were found in marginal vegetation, 2-3 ppm was applied along the shore (to various distances from the shore) from 10-40 m upstream from the water contact sites to 10 m downstream. In case snails were found in low submerged vegetation, which was very common in these habitats, the chemical was applied at 2-4 g (a.i.)/m2 directly between the plants. The results indicate that a satisfactory snail-kill can be achieved in the target area by this method of Bayluscide application. However, the method requires a thorough surveillance for snails and due supervision of the application. The time spacing of applications should probably be 4-6 weeks, but special situations may necessitate more frequent applications.

Animals

The effect of Helisoma duryi on the cercarial production of Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria alexandrina: evaluation of chemical interferences and direct competition.

The effect of Helisoma duryi or uninfected Biomphalaria alexandrina conditioning of water, as well as the effect of direct competition with these, on the total cercarial production, growth and survival of Schistosoma mansoni-infected B. alexandrina was investigated. The total cercarial production varied considerably between experimental groups. No differences were found between groups maintained in water-conditioned by H. duryi or by uninfected B. alexandrina with regard to the total cercarial production, growth and survival. The cercarial production was correlated with snail size, but showed no differences between the two treatments. Direct competition with H. duryi resulted in reduced cercarial production and growth of infected B. alexandrina as compared with snails in competition with uninfected conspecifics.

Animals

A survey of helminths in stray cats from Copenhagen with ecological aspects.

At autopsy of 230 adult stray cats, 120 from backyards and 110 from gardens, the intestinal tract was scrutinized for helminths. The prevalence of Toxocara cati, Taenia taeniaeformis and Dipylidium caninum was found to be 79%, 11% and 14%, respectively. Comparisons were made with the results of previous Danish investigations. The prevalence of Toxocara cati was found to be independent of time of collection and the sex and habitat of the cats and identical in cats with or without Taenia. This indicates that paratenic hosts do not play an important epizootiological role in the transmission of T. cati. The intensity of Toxocara per cat followed a negative binomial pattern. The high prevalence of T. cati combined with most cats having a low wormload shows that the cat population generally possesses a high degree of resistance against superimposed infections. The intensity of male Toxocara increases with the size of the worm population. This we consider to be an expression of increasing susceptibility of the cats. The prevalence of T. taeniaeformis was significantly higher in garden cats, due to their greater opportunity for catching mice. D. caninum, however, was significantly more frequent in backyard cats, probably owing to better living condition for the flea larvae in backyards. For both T. taeniaeformis and D. caninum a higher frequency was found in female cats, which is thought to be associated with their care for the kittens.

Animals