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Biomedical subjects

M J Lanska

Publications and source records attributed to M J Lanska.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Late-onset sporadic progressive subcortical gliosis.

We report two sporadic cases of progressive subcortical gliosis (PSG) with onset after age 60. The presentation included slowly progressive dementia with memory loss, geographic disorientation, and personality change. Both were diagnosed clinically as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and both met NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable AD. Autopsy revealed generalized atrophy, predominantly involving the white matter of the frontal and temporal lobes. Microscopically, prominent fibrillary astrocytosis was present in the subcortical white matter and in the subpial and deep layers of the overlying cerebral cortex. Mild cortical neuron loss accompanied the gliosis, but no myelin loss was evident. Amyloid deposits and neuronal cytoskeletal inclusions were absent.

Aged↗

Interobserver variability in the classification of neonatal seizures based on medical record data.

This population-based, retrospective cohort study of neonatal seizures included all 16,428 neonates born to residents of Fayette County, Kentucky, from 1985 to 1989. Eighty potential cases were ascertained by computer search of hospital-based medical record systems, birth certificate data files, and multiple-cause-of-death mortality data files. Medical records for potential cases were abstracted, and relevant portions were reviewed independently by three neurologists using prospectively determined criteria. Both unweighted and weighted kappa statistics were used to measure agreement between each pair of observers in the classification of potential cases as seizures, possible seizures, or not seizures, adjusting for the proportion of agreement expected by chance. Agreement in the classification of potential cases was excellent (kappa = 0.72-0.79, average = 0.76; weighted kappa = 0.85-0.88, average = 0.87). The kappa extension statistic of Kraemer was used to assess agreement in the classification of seizure types by a simplification of the classification scheme of Volpe. This documented excellent agreement between raters in the classification of seizure types (kappa e = 0.72). Experienced raters can reliably classify potential cases of neonatal seizures using seizure descriptions transcribed from medical records.

Cohort Studies↗

Neonatal seizures in the United States: results of the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 1980-1991.

We present nationally representative estimates of neonatal seizure risk by gender, race and geographic region of the United States. National Hospital Discharge Survey data were analyzed for the period 1980-1991. Birth-weight-adjusted risks of neonatal seizures were calculated by the direct method for each gender or race group and for each census region by 4-year intervals. The overall risk of neonatal seizures was 2.84 per 1,000 live births. Risk estimates were consistently higher in low-birth-weight infants (relative risk 3.9). Unadjusted risks were similar across race and gender groups; birth weight adjustment had very little effect. No clear temporal trend was apparent over the 12-year study period. National Hospital Discharge Survey data provide reasonable, although conservative, estimates of neonatal seizure risks nationwide. Underascertainment of neonatal seizures, particularly among sick low-birth-weight infants, is likely due to data collection limitations of the National Hospital Discharge Survey.

Birth Weight↗

A population-based study of neonatal seizures in Fayette County, Kentucky: comparison of ascertainment using different health data systems.

Based on a population-based, retrospective cohort study of neonatal seizures in Fayette County, Kentucky, from 1985 to 1989, estimates of neonatal seizure risk were calculated from computerized databases including hospital medical records, birth certificates, and death certificates. Computerized tabulations of hospital discharge diagnoses identified 97% of cases with a positive predictive value of 75%. Birth certificates had poor sensitivity for neonatal seizures overall (37%), but identified 67% of infants who seized on the first day of life. However, careless completion of the birth certificate produced a high number of false positives. Death certificates identified no infants with neonatal seizures.

Birth Certificates↗

A population-based study of neonatal seizures in Fayette County, Kentucky.

This population-based, retrospective cohort study of neonatal seizures included all neonates born to residents of Fayette County, Kentucky, from 1985 to 1989. We ascertained potential cases by computer search of hospital-based medical record systems, Kentucky Center for Health Statistics birth certificate data files, and National Center for Health Statistics multiple-cause-of-death mortality data files. Medical records for potential cases were abstracted, and relevant portions were reviewed independently by three neurologists using prospectively determined case-selection criteria. Seizures occurred in 58 of 16,428 neonates (3.5/1,000 live births). An additional 15 neonates had possible seizures, for a combined risk of 4.4/1,000 live births. Neonatal seizure risk varied inversely with birth weight: 57.5/1,000 live births among very low birth weight infants (< 1,500 grams) compared with 4.4/1,000 for infants with moderately low birth weight (1,500 to 2,499 grams), 2.8/1,000 for those with normal birth weight (2,500 to 3,999 grams), and 2.0/1,000 for those with high birth weight (4,000 or more grams). Risk varied among the four hospitals in the county with obstetric units, the university hospital having the highest risk. Risk did not differ by race or gender. A Cox proportional hazards model confirmed the results of the simpler univariate analyses. Differences in birth weight of the subpopulations served by each hospital accounted for much but not all the differences in hospital-specific risk.

Cohort Studies↗

Klüver-Bucy syndrome in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Although Klüver-Bucy syndrome in adults is commonly associated with neurodegenerative conditions, Klüver-Bucy syndrome in children has been recognized almost exclusively in association with acute bitemporal injury or dysfunction. We report a child with juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, who developed dementia, childhood-onset autistic disorder, and Klüver-Bucy syndrome. The behavioral features of this case are compared with those of previously reported cases of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and with previous reports of Klüver-Bucy syndrome in children and adults.

Adolescent↗

Magnetic resonance imaging in cervical cord birth injury.

Three children who sustained cervical cord injury due to birth trauma are described. The clinical and radiological data, and the central nervous system pathology of one child, illustrate the advantages and feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging in ventilator-dependent children with cervical cord lesions.

Birth Injuries↗

Conditions associated with Huntington's disease at death. A case-control study.

To identify conditions associated with reduced survival in patients with Huntington's disease, we studied all 1978 US death certificates on which Huntington's disease (331.0 in the International Classification of Diseases, eighth revision) was listed. For each of the 495 cases identified, two control deaths were matched by age, race, sex, county, and year of death. Pneumonia, choking, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic skin ulcers were increased in cases relative to controls.

Airway Obstruction↗

Huntington's disease mortality in the United States.

The first analysis of multiple cause-of-death data for Huntington's disease in the United States was performed, using data from the National Center for Health Statistics for the period 1971 and 1973 through 1978. The overall mortality rate was 2.27 per million population per year, approximately 80% higher than the corresponding rate for deaths in which Huntington's disease was listed as the underlying cause of death. Age-specific mortality rates peaked around age 60. Rates were similar for both sexes, and higher in whites than nonwhites. Age-adjusted rates were similar for United States whites and reported values from the Scandinavian countries. The leading causes of death were pneumonia and heart disease. Other common causes of death were nutritional deficiencies; mental disorders; cerebrovascular disorders; and accidents, poisonings, and violence. Suicide was rarely reported.

Airway Obstruction↗