Biomedical subjects

Herma C Holscher

Publications and source records attributed to Herma C Holscher.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Does citrate prevent nephrocalcinosis in preterm neonates?

Nephrocalcinosis (NC) occurs frequently in preterm neonates. A high U-calcium/citrate is one of the contributing factors to the development of NC. In stone-forming children and adults citrate supplementation is a successful preventive therapy. In this randomized controlled trial the effect of citrate therapy was studied on the development of NC in preterm neonates with a gestational age <32 weeks. Thirty-eight preterm neonates (mean gestational age 29.8 weeks (SD 1.6), mean birth weight 1,300 g (SD 351) were treated with sodium citrate (0.52 mmol/kg/day in four doses) from day 8 of life until at term and 36 preterm neonates (mean gestational age 29.6 weeks (SD 1.6), mean birth weight 1,282 g (SD 256) were not treated. U-calcium, U-creatinine, U-citrate and U-pH were measured at day 7, 14, 21, 28 of life and at term. Renal ultrasonography (US) was performed at term. U-citrate/creatinine and U-pH were significantly higher and U-calcium/citrate was significantly lower in the citrate group at day 14, 21 and 28 compared with the control group (P<0.05). Complications of citrate administration were not encountered, however the incidence of NC was not significantly different in the treated (34%) compared with the control group (44%), P=0.37. Preterm neonates treated with citrate in the first months of life have higher U-citrate/creatinine and lower U-calcium/citrate compared with controls. Sodium citrate therapy in a dosage of 0.52 mmol/kg/day is safe but does not prevent NC. Whether a higher dose or potassium citrate decreases the incidence of NC should be evaluated in further studies.

Citric Acid↗

PubMed2006

Ileoileal intussusception in children: ultrasonographic differentiation from ileocolic intussusception.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of ileoileal intussusception in children differs from that of ileocolic intussusception. OBJECTIVE: To differentiate ileoileal intussusception from ileocolic intussusception using ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and ultrasonographic findings in 27 patients with intussusception between September 2003 and July 2005. For statistical analysis the Mann-Whitney test was applied. RESULTS: Regarding ileoileal intussusceptions, 11 were documented in ten patients (seven boys, three girls; mean age 3.1 years). Symptoms suggestive of intussusception were present in nine patients. The mean diameter was 1.5 cm (range 1.1-2.5 cm) and length 2.5 cm (range 1.5-6.0 cm). The intussusceptions were located in the paraumbilical region (n=6), the right upper quadrant (n=2), the right lower quadrant (n=2), and the left lower quadrant (n=1). Regarding ileocolic intussusceptions, 16 were documented in 14 patients (13 boys, 1 girl; mean age 1.9 years). All patients had symptoms suggestive of intussusception. The mean diameter was 3.7 cm (range 3.0-5.5 cm) and mean length was 8.2 cm (range 5.0-12.5 cm). All intussusceptions were located in the right side of the abdomen. The difference in diameter and length between ileoileal and ileocolic intussusceptions was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Unlike clinical symptoms, ultrasonography can differentiate between ileoileal and ileocolic intussusception. The diameter and length of the intussusception are the main criteria.

Child↗

PubMed2005

US features of the normal appendix and surrounding area in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the frequency of depiction with ultrasonography (US) of the appendix in children without clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis and to evaluate the US appearance of the normal appendix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2003 and July 2003, 146 consecutive patients (62 boys and 84 girls; mean age, 7 years; age range, 2-15 years) without clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis were examined with US. Patients with cystic fibrosis and those with acute abdominal pain were excluded from the study. Outer diameters, mural thickness, and color Doppler flow were measured. Appendiceal lumen and surroundings of the appendix were determined. The overall diameter and mural thickness of the appendix were examined for relationship to age, weight, or height of the patient. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney test, Student t test, and linear regression analysis were applied. RESULTS: In 120 (82%) children, the appendix was depicted with US; in 26 (18%) children, this was not possible. In 114 (95%) of the depicted appendices, the position was classical; we observed six (5%) retrocecal appendices. All appendices were compressible. Mean diameter of the appendix was 0.39 cm (range, 0.21-0.64 cm), and the mean mural thickness was 0.18 cm (range, 0.11-0.27 cm). The appendiceal lumen was empty in 74 (62%) children. The others were filled with fecal material, gas, or both. In 75 (51%) of the 146 children, lymph nodes were present in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. We found no relation between the age, weight, or height of the examined child and the overall diameter or wall of the appendix. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that a normal appendix can be depicted with US in 82% of asymptomatic children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Appendix in children with cystic fibrosis: US features.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic (US) appearance of the appendix in children with cystic fibrosis but who were asymptomatic for appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2002, 31 children (14 boys, 17 girls; mean age, 9.5 years; range, 2-16 years) with cystic fibrosis underwent graded-compression US of the appendix. The recordings were analyzed in consensus by two radiologists specialized in US. The overall appendiceal diameter and change in diameter during graded compression, wall dimensions, contents of material in the lumen, and periappendicular fat were evaluated. The exclusion criterion was abdominal pain at the time of investigation. RESULTS: In all but one patient, the appendix was visualized with US. The diameter of the appendix ranged from 4.0 to 14.5 mm (mean, 8.3 mm). In 25 patients (83.3%), the appendix measured more than 6.0 mm. In six patients, the diameter of the appendix changed when graded compression was applied. Mucoid material was found in the lumen in 27 of 30 patients. No wall thickening occurred, and concentric layer structures of the wall were intact. No involvement of the neighboring mesenteric or omental fat was encountered. CONCLUSION: The appendiceal diameter was enlarged in the majority of children examined. The lumen contained mucoid contents. Therefore, the diameter of the appendix alone may not be a parameter for diagnosing appendicitis in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Preterm neonates with nephrocalcinosis: natural course and renal function.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the natural course of nephrocalcinosis (NC) in preterm neonates and the effect of NC on blood pressure and renal glomerular and tubular function. In a prospective observational study of 201 preterm neonates (gestational age <32 weeks) NC was present at term in 83 patients (41%), who were subsequently examined at 6, 12, and 24 months, and until August 2000 annually (with a maximum of 4 years) if NC persisted. Examination consisted of blood pressure measurement, renal ultrasonography, and glomerular and tubular function tests. The probability that NC, when present at term, would persist for 15 and 30 months was 34% [21-45, 95% confidence interval (CI)] and 15% (5-25, 95% CI) (Kaplan-Meier), respectively. Urinary tract infection did not occur more frequently in patients with NC (2.5%) than patients without NC at term (4.4%). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures above the 95th percentile were found in 39% and 48% of patients at 1 year and 30% and 34% at 2 years ( P<0.001). Mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (inulin clearance) at 1 and 2 years was 92 and 102 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively. TP/GFR and excretion of alpha(1)-microglobulin were normal. The desmopressin test was impaired in 4 of 30 patients at 1 year and 2 of 25 at 2 years. It was concluded that while proximal tubular function is unaffected in children with neonatal NC, high blood pressure and impaired glomerular and distal tubular function might occur more frequently than in healthy children. Although no relationship can be proven between NC and hypertension or diminished renal function in this study, these results justify a large follow-up study with matched controlled study groups.

Blood Pressure↗