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H Rabe

Publications and source records attributed to H Rabe.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Significance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the 1st year of life.

BACKGROUND: In this study we investigated the frequency, symptoms and predisposing factors of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during the 1st year of life in infants with obstructive airway disease in comparison with infants without airway disease. PATIENTS: We enrolled 216 infants in their 1st year of life, who were hospitalized because of obstructive airway disease. As an age- and sex-balanced control group, we examined 133 infants hospitalized for other reasons than airway disease. METHOD: A deep pharyngeal swab was taken from all infants and immediately examined for the presence of RSV antigen by using an enzyme immunoassay (Directigen). Patient data were surveyed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: The frequency of RSV infections among infants with obstructive airway disease (34.3%; n = 74) differed significantly from the control group (15%; n = 20; p < 0.01). The frequency of RSV-infected infants with obstructive airway disease decreased with age ranging from 39.1% in trimenon I to 29.0% in trimenon IV. This trend was not observed in the control group. With respect to clinical symptoms and risk factors, there were no differences between RSV-infected versus noninfected infants. CONCLUSION: RSV is an important agent causing lower obstructive airway disease (34.3% of all patients). There are no specific symptoms that can be used for diagnosing RSV infection. In order to prevent other patients on the ward from contracting nosocomial RSV infection and in the light of therapeutic options, one should test newly admitted patients presenting with symptoms of an obstructive airway disease for RSV antigen. On a ward with high-risk patients, we would recommend the use of an RSV test for all new patients.

Age Factors↗

Comparison of salsolinol excretion in alcoholics and nonalcoholic controls.

Salsolinol was measured in urine of alcoholics after one through four and after 21 days of withdrawal, in nonalcoholic controls with and without ingestion of alcohol and in young children. HPLC equipped with fluorescence detection was employed. There were no significant differences in salsolinol excretion rate between alcoholics and controls one day after alcohol deprivation. A significant difference in salsolinol output in urine of alcoholics between the first and the twenty-first day of withdrawal was found, but salsolinol output expressed as creatinine-related output did not change. There was no trend of urinary salsolinol excretion rate by alcoholics during the first 4 days of abstinence. The results indicate that the urinary salsolinol excretion rate and the creatinine-related salsolinol output are insufficient to distinguish between alcoholics and nonalcoholics.

Adult↗

[Arthrogryposis, renal tubular dysfunction, cholestasis (ARC) syndrome: case report and review of the literature].

The ARC-syndrome is a rare disease with the obligatory symptoms arthrogryposis, renal tubular dysfunction and cholestasis. Optional further symptoms like ichthyosis, diarrhea, central nervous system defects and recurrent infections have been reported. The ARC-syndrome was first reported by Lutz-Richner and Landolt in 1973. The pathophysiology is still unknown, an autosomal recessive inheritance is postulated. Patients rarely exceed an age of six month. We report a boy of consanguineous Turkish parents who suffered from congenital deformities of the lower extremities, a metabolic acidosis and failure to thrive. In the sequel he developed a renal Fanconi syndrome and cholestasis. Histology of liver and muscle biopsy specimen showed the typical findings of the disease with giant cell hepatitis and neurogenous muscle atrophy. His condition could be stabilized and he increased in weight by substituting fluid, electrolytes, buffer and parenteral nutrition. Total enteral nutrition of the 280 ml/kg/d he required failed even by nasogastric tube and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Additional fluid substitution by central venous catheter remained necessary. At the age of 7 month he died.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Pitfalls in the diagnosis of congenital hyperinsulinism: a case report and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND: Congenital hyperinsulinism is the most common cause for recurrent hypoglycaemia in neonates and infants. Uncontrolled hypoglycaemia leads to seizures and long-term cerebral damage. Often, the diagnosis is delayed because of nonspecific symptoms and confusing laboratory results. PATIENT: We report a patient with hyperinsulinism who was initially wrongly diagnosed as having idiopathic cerebral convulsions and treated accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of congenital hyperinsulinism is based on a strong suspicion and a thorough family history. Normal random blood glucose or random insulin levels are not helpful in excluding this disease.

Diagnostic Errors↗

[Pethidine analgesia and cerebrovascular circulation in very small premature infants].

Aim of the study was the assessment of possible side effects of analgesia with pethidine on the intracerebral circulation of very immature preterm infants. For this purpose the blood flow velocity in the internal carotid artery, basilar cerebral artery and the anterior cerebral artery was measured by pulsed Dopplersonography before and 5-10 min after i.v. injection of 1.0 mg/kg pethioine on 10 preterm infants with a gestational age of 24-30 weeks. Furthermore values for the parameter mean arterial blood pressure, heart frequency and tcpCO2 were obtained. None of the measured parameters showed a significant difference with the i.v. bolus injection of pethidine. As even very immature preterm infants do feel pain and can show potential dangerous physiological pain reactions and as this study proves the tolerance of the drug, analgesia with morphine derivates is recommended.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

[Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in infancy].

We report on a 6 months old infant with suddenly developed severe arterial hypertension caused by polycystic kidneys. Examinations of the relatives revealed similar changes of the kidneys in 4 adults and 5 children. They were all diagnosed to have autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Excretory kidney function of all patients is normal; however, blood pressure was raised in the adults. We would like to stress the importance of family screening in this disease, in particular with regard to possible early diagnosis and treatment of arterial hypertension. The long-term prognosis of the early manifestation of the dominantly inherited cystic kidney disease is uncertain.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

[Continuous Doppler sonography: a new method in the monitoring of the cerebral circulation in very small premature infants].

Disorders of cerebral circulation, which are a major risk factor of intracerebral haemorrhage in the preterm baby, can be recognized by Doppler sonography. The development and clinical application of a small miniature Doppler transducer (13 x 9 x 20 mm) is presented which can be fixed onto the infant's fontanel. It is suitable for continuous measurements with a low energy output of only 13 mW.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗