PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P J Gibson

Publications and source records attributed to P J Gibson.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Assessment of maternal anxiety following neonatal screening and investigation for occult spinal dysraphism.

The objective was to determine maternal anxiety and attitudes associated with a programme of neonatal screening and investigation for occult spinal dysraphism. Questionnaires were completed after diagnostic investigation (time 1) and 6 months later (time 2) by 83 mothers of babies with possible markers of occult spinal dysraphism who were normal on spinal ultrasound. Outcome measures were: attitudes to the programme; maternal adjustment and attitudes to the baby; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Fifty-four other postnatal mothers formed the comparison group for maternal adjustment. No significant differences were found between investigation group (time 1) and comparisons on measures of maternal adjustment. Anxious mothers gave more negative responses to some maternal adjustment items but not to attitudes to the programme. Mean state anxiety at time 1 (33.66) and time 2 (33.69) and mean trait anxiety (36.23) were not higher than in mothers of normal babies. It can be concluded that a programme of investigation for neonatal abnormalities that pays attention to detail need not cause excessive maternal anxiety. However, some mothers remain anxious even after receiving normal results. Anxiety can be assessed during appraisal of a new investigation programme, but refinements are needed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

A population-based case-control study of risk factors for breech presentation.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated relationships between breech presentation and infant, maternal, and pregnancy characteristics of singleton births. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based case-control study (3588 breech cases, 8183 controls) was conducted with data from the 1987 to 1988 Washington State birth certificate. RESULTS: Low birth weight, short gestational age, primiparity, and older maternal age were associated with increased risk of breech birth, and after we controlled for these factors, the following were also associated with breech birth: hydrocephalus, established maternal diabetes, congenital malformation of the infant, smoking during pregnancy, and late or no prenatal care. In addition, black and Filipino women had decreased risk of breech presentation compared with white women. CONCLUSION: Several different maternal and infant characteristics appear to increase risk of breech birth, suggesting that there may be several different biologic mechanisms leading to breech presentation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Lumbosacral skin markers and identification of occult spinal dysraphism in neonates.

Some skin lesions over the spine are known to be associated with occult spinal dysraphism, but the significance of common skin lesions, such as sacral pits and dimples, is uncertain. In this prospective study, 95 neonates (1.9% of 4989 live births) were referred with possible markers of occult spinal dysraphism. Seven of 94 babies examined had abnormalities demonstrated by spinal ultrasound, compared with 5 of 105 controls. In 2 of 94 and 3 of 105 of these, the conus medullaris was located at L3 but no other abnormalities were found. Of the 75 babies with a sacral dimple or pit alone, none had an abnormality, suggesting that these skin lesions do not indicate a high risk of occult spinal dysraphism.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1995

Does subclinical pancreatic inflammation occur after parathyroidectomy?

Pancreatitis is accepted as an uncommon complication of parathyroid surgery, but it has been suggested that up to 35% of patients may experience hyperamylasaemia after parathyroidectomy indicating subclinical inflammation of the pancreas. A series of 26 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy were studied by preoperative biochemical analyses repeated 24 and 48 h postoperatively allowing changes in calcium metabolism and serum and urinary amylase levels to be documented. Of the patients, 21 also underwent a CT scan of the pancreas between 24 and 48 h after operation. Despite highly significant changes in serum parathormone, calcium and phosphate levels postoperatively, there was no evidence in any patient of acute pancreatic inflammation or hyperamylasaemia. Twenty-one patients underwent unilateral neck exploration, and we suggest that the absence of any detectable amylase elevation supports the suggestion that such elevation may reflect an increase in salivary isoamylase as a result of extensive neck dissection, rather than reflecting a subclinical pancreatitis. The development of postparathyroidectomy pancreatitis appears to be an all or nothing phenomenon of unknown aetiology.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Ultrasound determination of the normal location of the conus medullaris in neonates.

PURPOSE: To establish the normal range of the position of the conus medullaris in neonates and determine whether it differs from that in adults. METHODS: One hundred five healthy neonates born over an 18-day period in a single obstetric unit had ultrasound examinations of their lower spines to relate the conus medullaris to the nearest intervertebral disk or midvertebral level. RESULTS: The mean position of the conus was midway between the L1-2 disk and mid-L-2 body, ranging from T-12/L-1 to L-3, with the modal position being L1-2 (47.6%). A small but significant rise in position from 33 to 42 weeks postconceptual age was identified. Comparison with data previously reported from adults showed a small but highly significant difference in conus position of approximately 0.25 vertebral levels. DISCUSSION: Our data confirm studies suggesting that ascent of the cord after birth is minor.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1987

Bacterial tracheitis in Down's syndrome.

Four children with Down's syndrome and bacterial tracheitis are described. In three the infection was due to Haemophilus influenza. In patients with Down's syndrome presenting with stridor tracheitis should be considered and appropriate treatment started.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Ethanol poisoning.

A 3-year-old boy with severe ethanol poisoning metabolised ethanol more rapidly than expected (0.33 g/l/hour or 7.16 mmol/l/hour) and recovered fully with conservative management. It is concluded that active elimination techniques are unnecessary for most children with acute ethanol poisoning.

Alcoholic Intoxication↗