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Biomedical subjects

J Geefhuysen

Publications and source records attributed to J Geefhuysen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Nutritional status of poor preschool children in a defined area in Java--can weight monitoring influence nutrition?

Identification of undernutrition by routine Village Weighing Programmes (VWP) showed poor congruence with a nutrition survey in 193 preschool children from three defined areas of matched low economic status in Java. Measurements were similar to those of 50 years ago. Undernutrition varies from 3%-48% by different cutoff points. Twelve per cent are = less than -2SD for weight-for-height. Surveys can indicate population nutritional status for programme evaluation and planning. VWP results are not suitable for statistics. With less attention to recording measurements and more attention to local knowledge and common sense, more treatment of disease and individualized advice, VWPs could be more effective. Poverty remains the main constraint for improvement of population nutrition.

Body Weight↗
PubMed1982

Comparisons in the therapeutic management of Black paediatric outpatients by primary health care nurses and doctors.

Studies were conducted in 1977 and again in 1980 comparing the knowledge and information escorts of paediatric outpatients had about the child's illness and treatment after completing primary care consultations of various kinds. Primary health care nurses achieved the best communication as judged by answers to a questionnaire administered to the escorts by a social worker. Understanding was greater when patients were seen initially by doctors in the Department of Paediatrics outpatient clinic rather than by doctors in the Soweto polyclinics. Some of the associated factors are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1980

Determinants of short stature in normal children at the age of two years: a case-control study in a community in Jerusalem.

Differences were analysed between growth patterns and determinants of physical growth in two groups of normal infants at 24 months. Longitudinal data routinely collected in a mother and child clinic were analysed. At 24 months, 26% of cohort infants were at or below the 10th percentile for length (= 'small' infants); 98 of these were compared with 83 'medium' infants (between the 50th and the 75th percentile, for example). Excessive downward deviation of length percentiles was seen in 80% of 'small' infants. In 20% their birthweight was on the 10th percentile or below; 50% had a mother less than 155 cm tall; maternal stature was closely linked with socioeconomic factors. Of mothers with less than nine years of schooling, 70% had 'small' infants. In 95% of both groups growth attainment at two years could be predicted from data at 12 months. The known factors influencing deviant physical growth overlap with those of mental and social development. Growth deviation by itself may identify infants open to multiple risks, especially if their mothers have a low educational level. Further narrowing of the target group for specialised intervention strategies should be attempted.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1979

Long-term effects of kwashiorkor on the electroencephalogram.

The long-term effects of kwashiorkor on the electroencephalogram were assessed by means of computer analysis techniques. The experimental group, consisting of 30 black children, 6 to 12 years old, hospitalized for the treatment of kwashiorkor during the first 27 months of life, was age-matched with three control groups. These were a group of siblings and of yardmates, neither of whom had been exposed to acute infantile malnutrition, and a very high socioeconomic group of white children. The results revealed significantly less alpha activity and more slow-wave activity in the electroencephalogram of the kwashiokor group than in those of the control groups. These findings confirmed previous results based on visual analysis procedures.

Alpha Rhythm↗
PubMed1978

The visual evoked potential in children after kwashiorkor.

An index of the long-term effects of kwashiorkor on the electrocortical development of the child was obtained by recording the visual evoked potential (VEP) of 4 groups of children aged 6--12 years. The malnourished group, consisting of 30 Black children hospitalized for treatment of kwashiorkor during the first 27 months of life, was age-matched with 3 control groups. Some evidence of right hemisphere VEP deficit was found in the kwashiorkor group.

Child↗
PubMed1978

A survey of admissions and deaths in a black paediatric department.

Patterns of paediatric illness in hospital were surveyed with a view to planning for improved community health services. High morbidity and early mortality from neonatal, nutritional, gastro-intestinal and respiratory disease reflected late referral to hospital of seriously ill children. Combined preventive, promotive and primary care clinics, health education and improved transport facilities for the sick are a high priority for the area.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1978

Long-term effects of kwashiorkor on psychomotor development.

The long-term effects of kwashiorkor on psychomotor development were assessed by means of 3 tests. A group of 31 children aged from 6 to 12 years, who had been hospitalized for the treatment of kwashiorkor during infancy, was age-matched with 2 control groups, consisting of a group of siblings and a group of yardmates, none of whom had been exposed to acute infantile malnutrition. The test scores for the groups were not significantly different. The results are discussed in the light of suggestions that marasmus has a more damaging effect on human development than kwashiorkor.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1976

Defective leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) production by lymphocytes in children with kwashiorkor.

Production of the lymphokine leucocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes was assessed in 25 children with kwashiorkor. Although the lymphocytes of 12 of these patients produced adequate amounts of LIF, the rest of the group failed to produce lymphokine after PHA activation. There was no correlation between the ability to produce LIF and the age, severity of malnutrition or any other clinical parameters assessed in these patients. This finding confirms the presence of defective cell-mediated immunity observed in a substantial proportion of kwashiorkor children.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Blacks.

Two patients with salt-losing adrenal hyperplasia are reported. The occurrence of this condition among Blacks in Southern Africa has not yet been recorded. Both patients presented in the first month of life with dehydration, although they did not have diarrhoea. One was a boy, and the other a girl who had signs of virilisation. The typical biochemical changes of this condition were demonstrated. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia appears to be less common in Blacks than in Whites.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗
PubMed1976

Artificial feeding of Black infants.

Analysis of milk formula feeds in a community where infant malnutrition is common, showed that overdilution of feeds is less frequent than expected. Many feeds were too concentrated. Modified and 'humanised' milks were more often and more seriously too strong than unmodified milks. An inadequate number and volume of milk feeds per day was probably more important in causing malnutrition than the strength of the feeds.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1975

The radiological presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in children.

The children in this study had evidence of severe pulmonary disease when they were first radiographed. More than one segment, lobe or even lung was frequently involved and more than one type of lesion was often present in a patient. The right lung was more often affected. Segmental consolidation was common. Cavitary disease was particularly evident in children less than 3 years of age and many had extrapulmonary dissemination. Pleural effusions, calcification, and the acinar opacities of bronchogenic spread, were common in older children.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1975

Tuberculosis notwithstanding BCG vaccination.

In a series of 176 patients, 40 children (23%) developed tuberculosis notwithstanding BCG vaccination. The type and severity of the disease in this group were similar to those of the larger series of which this group was a part. However, BCG vaccination appeared to diminish the incidence of dissemination, especially tuberculous meningitis, and the number of deaths. The 40% incidence of tuberculous contacts probably indicates heavy exposure to infection. BCG offers a modicum of protection which the vulnerable should not be denied, but its use should not lead to complacency--the potency of vaccines and the technique of vaccination require constant surveillance. Case finding remains a priority and even BCG-vaccinated patients should be treated for tuberculosis when this is suspected.

BCG Vaccine↗
PubMed1975

Tuberculosis in Black children. A retrospective analysis of severe cases.

A retrospective study of 176 Black children requiring hospital treatment for tuberculosis showed that infants and children under the age of 3 years are especially susceptible. Extensive and disseminated disease is usually present at the time of diagnosis, which was sometimes made difficult by a low tuberculin sensitivity caused by malnutrition, measles, or overwhelming infection. Almost a quarter of the patients had received BCG. Approximately half the patients had disseminated disease; of these, 40% had tuberculous meningitis and 12% died, whereas the mortality of those with localised disease was 3%.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1975

Leucocyte function in children with kwashiorkor.

A study of leucocyte response to infection, polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis and bactericidal activity, and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction in children with kwashiorkor was undertaken and compared with a control group. The results show that total leucocyte counts were depressed in children with kwashiorkor, and lymphopenia was not infrequent. NBT reduction was normal. Abnormal polymorphonuclear leucocyte chemotaxis and bactericidal activity, though frequently found in children with kwashiorkor, was shown to be dependent on infection and not on protein depletion per se. Therefore, apart from some impairment of leucocyte mobilization in the presence of infection, the qualtiy of polymorphonuclear function, as determined by the above techniques, appears to be normal in kwashiorkor.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗