Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J van der Net.
The childhood form of discitis was diagnosed in a 2-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy. They presented with an antalgic posture, muscular defense and a positive Gowers sign. Characteristic symptoms of this childhood discitis form the triad: unexplained fever, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and symptomatic narrowing of an intervertebral space.
The management of juvenile chronic arthritis requires a multidisciplinary approach. Treatment is based on knowledge of the pathogenetic factors playing a role in the disintegration of joints due to the chronic synovitis and consist of non-operative and operative methods. These therapeutic modalities are used in close coherence with each other. Preservation of ambulation and hand function has a priority in the treatment program. Early intervention, in order to prevent joint destruction is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of juvenile chronic arthritis.
In Juvenile Chronic Arthritis the wrist often is involved. Synovitis of this joint gives rise to several types of disintegration, which can lead to serious deformities and loss of function. Therapeutical considerations should be based upon knowledge of these types of disintegration and the natural history.
During 1984 and 1985, after their referral to the intermediate care nursery, 51 healthy very low birth weight infants were subjected to a tactile stimulation programme imitating the spatial limitation which occurs towards the end of gestation. The sensory motor development of the study group was compared with the development of a control group during initial hospitalization. The study and control group differed significantly in the neonatal period after completion of the programme. The study group showed better auditive responses (P less than 0.02), more variations in hand movements (P less than 0.01), less hypotony (P less than 0.02), more sucking (P less than 0.02), and less bradycardia and apnoea (P less than 0.01).