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Biomedical subjects

J G Bissenden

Publications and source records attributed to J G Bissenden.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Massive acute haemolysis in neonates with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Three neonates with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are described. All three patients suffered an episode of massive acute haemolysis, in the absence of blood group incompatibilities, infection, or ingestion of oxidising agents known to trigger haemolysis. One patient died, but the other two survived after an exchange transfusion. This highlights that G6PD deficiency in the neonatal period may present with severe anaemia in association with hyperbilirubinaemia.

Acute Disease↗

An apparently new acrocraniofacial syndrome with cranial nerve and visceral anomalies.

We report details of a neonate with cranial bone dysplasia, broad nasal bridge, microphthalmia, optic and olfactory nerve anomalies, pulmonary segmentation defects, polydactyly, abnormally positioned and shaped thumbs, absent mesentery to the gut and streak gonads. Review of the literature and relevant databases does not identify a likely diagnosis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Visual acuity and pupillary responses to spatial structure in infants.

PURPOSE: To determine the age of onset of the pupil grating response (PGR). To compare estimates of resolution acuity obtained by pupillometric and behavioral methods in early infancy. METHODS: Dynamic infrared pupillometry was undertaken on 19 newborn infants while they fixated a uniform background upon which a 0.1 c/deg sine wave grating was briefly presented. Pupillary responses were also recorded to an increment in luminance of a spatially homogeneous target. Longitudinal measurements of PGRs were obtained from a subset of eight infants between 3.5 and 38 weeks of age. In this group, behavioral estimates of visual resolution obtained using the acuity card procedure were compared with the highest spatial frequency grating to elicit a PGR. RESULTS: When presented with the pattern stimulus, newborn infants did not show any pupil reaction indicative of a PGR. This finding could not be attributed to immaturity of pupillomotor function: All infants showed marked pupillary construction to diffuse light stimulation. By 1 month of age, pupillary responses to pattern stimuli were reliably present. For these and older infants, the spatial frequency of the finest grating to elicit a PGR was comparable to the behaviorally determined resolution threshold: mean difference (+/- 95% confidence interval) = 0.28 +/- 0.23 octaves. CONCLUSIONS: A PGR could not be detected in newborn infants. From 1 month of age, responses to spatial structure can provide objective estimates of visual acuity comparable to those determined by established methods.

Age of Onset↗

Neonatal diaphragmatic paralysis caused by chest drains.

A boy delivered at 32 weeks' gestation developed bilateral pneumothoraces that required multiple chest drains. He was dependent on the ventilator for 52 days because of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Electrophysiological studies confirmed phrenic nerve damage. He eventually made a full recovery. It is likely that this damage was caused by the insertion of the chest drains.

Chest Tubes↗

The pattern reversal VEP in short-gestation infants on taurine or taurine-free diet.

The visual evoked potential to flash stimulation has been studied in premature infants for many years. There have been no studies of the response to pattern reversal stimuli during the pre-term period, however. Twenty babies all born prematurely between 32 and 35 weeks post menstrual age had pattern reversal visual evoked potentials recorded on at least two occasions between the ages of 32.5 and 52 weeks post menstrual age with the first recording prior to reaching 40 weeks post menstrual age. The stimulator consisted of a small hand-held television with a 55 x 40 mm screen, and responses were averaged by a Cadwell 5200 averager. The check size was 7 X 7 mm and the contrast was 78%. The stimulator was held at a distance of 20 cm from the eyes. The angular subtense of the TV screen was 15.3 degrees X 11.31 degrees. On each occasion flash visual evoked potentials were obtained for comparison, as were flash electroretinograms recorded with a DTL electrode. The infants were randomly assigned to receive breast milk substitute with or without taurine. Pattern reversal responses consisted of a positive component with a mean latency of 320 msec at 32.5 weeks post menstrual age. The negative relationship between age at recording and the latency of the major positive component of the pattern reversal visual evoked potential was significant at p less than 0.0001. There was no apparent difference in the visual responses of the two groups.

Double-Blind Method↗

An unusual case of mosaic Down's syndrome involving two different Robertsonian translocations.

A baby girl with some of the stigmata of Down's syndrome was found to be a mosaic with three different cell lines: 45,XX,-13,-21,+t(13q21q)/(46,XX/46,XX, -21,+t(21q21q). The chromosome rearrangements detected in this patient appear to have arisen de novo. In the normal cell line the terminal end of the p arm of one chromosome 21 is thought to have been damaged. It seems probable that this is related to the other chromosomal anomalies found.

Chromosome Banding↗

Ethnic differences in incidence of very low birthweight and neonatal deaths among normally formed infants.

The incidence of very low birthweight babies (less than 1500 g) and neonatal mortalities in this group were analysed for the 15,608 births to mothers of various racial origins at this hospital during the years 1979-82 inclusive. Very low birth weight occurred less commonly in the European (9.1/1000) and Pakistani (10.1/1000) groups and most commonly in the West Indian group (23.2/1000). Neonatal survival in West Indians, however, was better than in any other group. Analysis of the stillbirths weighing less than 1500 g showed a lower rate in the West Indians compared with that of the European, Pakistani, and Indian groups. There was no evidence of a higher incidence of 'light for dates' in very low birthweight West Indian neonates.

Birth Weight↗

Ceftazidime in neonatal infections.

Ninety one neonates received 108 courses of intravenous ceftazidime (25 mg/kg, 12 hourly) over a study period of 15 months. Fourteen had clinically and bacteriologically proved infections. Only one of these had resistant organisms. Four (two with group B beta haemolytic streptococcal infections, one with Escherichia coli meningitis, and one with Staphylococcal aureus septicaemia) failed to respond despite adequate treatment. Bacteriological eradication or clinical improvement, or both, were obtained in the remaining nine. Routine biochemical and haematological values were monitored and there were no side effects. High serum ceftazidime concentrations, well exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration for most common neonatal pathogens were obtained and maintained throughout treatment. Penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid was excellent in eight of the nine cases studied. Ceftazidime has a theoretical role as a broad spectrum antibiotic suitable for neonatal use with no evident side effects. In this study, however, it was only appropriate for Gram negative infections, and was ineffective against Gram positive organisms. Ceftazidime cannot therefore be recommended as monotherapy before the results of bacteriological culture are known.

Bacterial Infections↗

Ethnic differences in congenital malformations.

Perinatal deaths and major lethal and non-lethal congenital malformations occurring in this hospital from 1979-82 inclusive were related to the ethnic group of the 15 438 mothers. The highest crude perinatal mortality rates occurred in Indian and Pakistani populations (18.3 per 1000 and 24.1 per 1000 respectively). The highest incidence of congenital abnormality also occurred in these groups (13.3 per 1000 and 12.8 per 1000 respectively), but there was considerable variation in the distribution of different malformations.

Adolescent↗

Ethnic differences in the distribution of congenital malformations.

Major lethal and non-lethal congenital malformations occurring in babies born in Dudley Road Hospital in 1979, 1980 and 1981 were related to the ethnic group of the mother. There was an increased incidence of gastrointestinal malformations in the Indian group and an increased incidence of abnormalities that could be associated with consanguinity and increased maternal age in the Pakistani group. A sample population (2000 mothers) was obtained in the first 7 months of 1982 to determine the maternal age distribution and consanguinity rates in the various ethnic groups.

Congenital Abnormalities↗