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Biomedical subjects

J Merrick

Publications and source records attributed to J Merrick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

The effect of protein-energy malnutrition and refeeding on the adherence of Salmonella typhimurium to small intestinal mucosa and isolated enterocytes in rats.

The adherence of fimbriated (Fim+) and nonfimbriated (Fim-) strains of Salmonella typhimurium to both isolated intestinal epithelial cells and intact intestinal mucosa of healthy and malnourished rats was investigated. Fim+ strains bound in significantly higher numbers than did Fim- strains to enterocytes isolated either from healthy or malnourished rats. Adherence to intact intestinal mucosa in situ was demonstrable with both Fim+ and Fim- bacteria, but Fim+ strains were preferred because they showed approximately twofold higher numbers of adhered bacteria compared to Fim- strains. Additionally, bacterial adherence to intact mucosa in situ was consistently higher in well-fed controls than in malnourished rats. Ultrastructural studies revealed marked cell destruction and lysis in malnourished rats, whereas no histological change was detected in the mucosa of control animals. These results suggest that malnutrition may lead to altered intestinal cell surfaces, thus increasing their susceptibility to infection through mechanisms that are different from adherence.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Child abuse and the lack of care. 3. A study from the Medico-legal Council during 1970-1979].

The object of this investigation was to study cases of child abuse and neglect presented to the Danish Medico-Legal Council during 1970 through 1979. A total of 38 children were registered in this retrospective study. The material consisted of 17 boys, 19 girls and two cases where the sex was not stated. The perpetrator was the biological father in ten cases, the mother in 13 cases, in two cases the stepfather, in two cases a babysitter, four cases where the perpetrator was known to the family, one case unknown to the victim and six cases where the perpetrator was not identified. The questions to the Medico-Legal Council where 24 cases were concerned were a discrepant history and evaluation of the lesions, six cases of a pharmacological nature, six cases where evaluation of the perpetrators mental state was required and two cases where the Council was asked to estimate whether the child would have survived, if correct treatment had been instituted in time. Evaluation was multidisciplinary, the expedition time fair and the answers to police and judicial system relevant, even though some of the doctors were reluctant to state definitely, whether child abuse was concerned. It is recommended that a forensic officer and a pediatrician should always participate in the evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Child abuse and the lack of care. 1. An epidemiologic study from the Danish forensic officers, Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Medico-legal Council during 1970-1979].

The object of this investigation was to undertake an epidemiological study of the cases of child abuse and neglect, which resulted in contact with a forensic officer, an Institute of Forensic Medicine or the Medico-Legal Council during the period of 1970-79. A total of 901 children aged 0-17 years were registered in this retrospective investigation. One hundred and sixty-four children (51% boys) were physically or emotionally abused or neglected. 75% were 0-7 years old. Seven hundred and thirty-seven children (8% boys) were sexually abused. 75% were over seven years of age. In the first group (physical abuse), information was frequently available about prior abuse of the index-child, siblings and conflicts between the parents. In 27% of the cases the abuser was the mother, 21% the father, 14% stepfather, 3% daycaretaker, while the remainder were combinations or unknown. The lesions were often bruises or attempted strangulation. Thirty-six children in this group died. In the second group (sexual abuse), there was often information of previous sexual abuse of the index-child and siblings. The perpetrator was always male. In 47% of the cases the perpetrator was unknown to the child. In the rest of the cases the perpetrator was a relative, friend of the family or person known to the child. In about half the cases the abuse consisted of vaginal penetration or intercrural rubbing. In 24 cases strangulation was part of the abuse, but no fatal cases occurred. In seven cases, the abuse resulted in venerial disease, in six cases pregnancy and 68 cases of lesions of the hymen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Child abuse and the lack of care. 2. An epidemiologic and social pediatric study of fatal child abuse and neglect in Denmark in 1970-1979].

The object of this investigation was to undertake an epidemiological, clinical and social pediatric study of cases of fatal child abuse and neglect in order to use the information in preventive work. A total of 38 children aged 0-13 years were registered in this retrospective study from all Danish forensic officers, pediatric departments, institutes of forensic medicine and the medico-legal council. At least 21% of the children had a history of failure to thrive and at least 21% had a chronic disease or handicap. At least 1/3 had been subjected to previous abuse and at least 11% of the siblings also. A minimum of 1/3 of the mothers and 18% of the fathers had a chronic physical or mental disease and most of the families came from the lower social groups. In nearly 1/3 of the cases, the crisis which precipitated the abuse was caused by the child's behaviour and, in nearly 1/3 of the cases, information was available about stressing factors in the adult concerned. The primary cause of death was head injury and, in order of frequency, intraabdominal injury, strangulation, drowning and neglect. Difficulties in the definition of fatal child abuse and neglect are the reasons for different incidences in various countries, but the present investigation showed an incidence of 0.8 child deaths from fatal child abuse per million inhabitants per year. In Denmark, at least four children die every year on account of child abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Child abuse and neglect].

There is still room for improvement with regard to legal protection of children, the education of parents as to the task of parenthood, and coordination between different specialties in assisting families with children through crisis situations. The article reports Scandinavian investigations into child abuse and the preventive measures hitherto introduced. The Scandinavian seminars on child abuse and neglect have been important forums for the exchange of experience, both with regard to research and clinical practice.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Children at-risk: child abuse in Denmark.

In Denmark there have been few case reports on child abuse, but only one epidemiological study conducted in 1969. We have therefore initiated a number of countrywide studies by contacting all pediatric departments, Institutes of Forensic Medicine and the public health officers in Denmark. The present study describes the findings from the city of Copenhagen during 1970-79. Only 27 children, mostly under seven years of age, were registered. Information on pregnancy, delivery, neonatal period and the children's former development provided significant findings. All the registered families belonged to the lowest social class, half of the children had a history of previous abuse, one third of siblings had also previously been abused and one third of the wives were "battered wives". In 2/3 of the cases the father-figure was the perpetrator. The study showed an urgent need for a more coherent policy on child abuse and child welfare, general guidelines on interdisciplinary work, communication, prevention, community work and follow-up. Practical guidelines for involvement with child abuse are proposed and it is recommended to establish child abuse teams in Denmark, also in order to deal with prevention at the pre- and postnatal level. The pediatric departments should get more involved with community and social work in order to deal with child abuse and neglect at an early stage, where the abuse can be prevented.

Child↗
PubMed1983

School health screening of a birth cohort: a prospective longitudinal study.

School age illnesses, coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) from information in 4 327 school health records, are reported for a perinatal cohort (The Copenhagen Perinatal Cohort 1959-61) comprising 9 125 successive live births. Although characteristic somatic disorders continue to arise, the medical picture is dominated by problems of a psycho-social nature. This finding suggests that the school health service should be adapted towards this changing pattern of child health.

Adult↗