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Biomedical subjects

P Tuohy

Publications and source records attributed to P Tuohy.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Infant feeding patterns in Canterbury.

AIM: To examine infant feeding patterns during the first 6 months of life in Canterbury. METHODS: A random sample of 10% of all births over a 12 month period in Canterbury was taken from birth notifications (n = 520). Information on the type of feeding was recorded prospectively at three time periods and extracted from available Plunket nursing notes. The participation rate was 81%. Data from nonparticipants on the method of feeding at discharge was obtained from obstetric records. RESULTS: Overall, 90.7% were breastfed at discharge. There was no difference between breastfeeding rates of the participants (91%) compared to the nonparticipants. For participants, 88% were exclusively breastfed at discharge which steadily declined to 36% at 24 weeks. However, some breastmilk was still being given to 70% at 24 weeks. CONCLUSION: Breastfeeding rates are good in comparison to other nations. However, there is room for improvement particularly maintaining exclusive breastfeeding to at least four months. This could be stimulated by the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative and the fostering of a baby friendly environment to further support and promote breastfeeding in the community.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Iron deficiency anaemia in infants.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in infants presenting to their general practitioner in a socially deprived, ethnically mixed suburb. METHODS: A total of 43 infants between 6 and 36 months of age were tested for iron deficiency anaemia. The blood tests were collected opportunistically over a 10 month period. Infants with other than trivial illness were excluded. Parents of infants with evidence of iron deficiency were offered dietary counselling, and infants with iron deficiency anaemia were treated with oral iron therapy. Follow up blood tests for iron deficient infants were performed after approximately three months of treatment with oral iron therapy. RESULTS: 42% (18) of infants tested were Pacific Island, 35% (15) were Maori, 16% (7) were European and 7% (3) belonged to other ethnic groups. 23.2% (10) of those tested had iron deficiency anaemia (haemoglobin less than 110 g/L and mean cell volume less than 70 fL). Six of the 10 were followed up and all six found to have improved haematological indices following oral iron therapy. CONCLUSION: Given the known adverse effects of iron deficiency anaemia in infancy primary health care providers in socially disadvantaged areas should consider screening all infants for iron deficiency anaemia.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1994

Neonatal platelet reactivity and serum thromboxane B2 production in whole blood: the effect of maternal low dose aspirin.

OBJECTIVES: Concern has been expressed about possible neonatal side effects after the use of maternal anti-platelet agents in pregnancy, particularly low dose aspirin treatment. We have studied neonatal platelet behaviour using whole blood techniques, and assessed the neonatal effect of the maternal ingestion of 60 mg aspirin daily. DESIGN: Cross sectional and randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: 1. Eight normal women, studied before conception, and their infants. 2. Twenty-four infants whose mothers had been randomised to receive either 60 mg aspirin daily, or placebo, in double-blind fashion. METHODS: The Clay Adams Ultra Flo 100 whole blood single platelet counter was employed to measure platelet aggregation in response to various agonists. The platelet release reaction was also measured in whole blood, and serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) production was measured by radio-immunoassay. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained at delivery. RESULTS: 1. Neonatal platelet aggregation induced by adrenaline, ADP and platelet activating factor was reduced in comparison with their mothers (P < 0.01), whereas the neonatal platelet release reaction was reduced when stimulated by collagen and U46619 (a thromboxane mimetic) (P < 0.01). Serum TxB2 production was similar in mothers and babies. 2. Neonatal platelet aggregation, release reaction and serum TxB2 production were not significantly reduced in infants exposed to maternal aspirin in comparison with those neonates exposed to maternal placebo. This is in contrast to the effect on maternal platelets. CONCLUSIONS: Although only a small number of patients were studied, we interpret this as a relative sparing of neonatal platelet reactivity due to the presystemic action of low dose aspirin.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A randomized placebo-controlled study of the effect of low dose aspirin on platelet reactivity and serum thromboxane B2 production in non-pregnant women, in normal pregnancy, and in gestational hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of 60 mg aspirin daily on platelet reactivity and prostaglandin production in various groups of patients. Similar regimens, which are thought to act through inhibition of platelet thromboxane production, are currently undergoing clinical assessment for the prevention of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. DESIGN: A prospective randomized placebo controlled study. SETTING: University Hospital, Nottingham. SUBJECTS: 12 non-pregnant female volunteers, 18 normal primigravidae before 16 weeks gestation and 16 pregnant women admitted with gestational hypertension (GH) at a mean gestation of 38 weeks. INTERVENTIONS: In the non-pregnant women blood samples were taken before and after a 10-day course of 60 mg aspirin daily. The primigravidae had blood samples taken at 16 weeks and then they were randomized to receive either 60 mg aspirin daily or a matched placebo. Further blood samples were obtained at 28, 32 and 36 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in platelet reactivity and release reaction, and serum thromboxane production, were estimated in whole blood. RESULTS: 60 mg aspirin daily significantly inhibited cyclo-oxygenase dependent platelet aggregation, release reaction and serum thromboxane production in non-pregnant and pregnant women, and in women with GH (P less than 0.01). When adrenaline was used as the aggregating agent, the cyclo-oxygenase pathway was recruited in the increased reactivity seen in the third trimester of normal pregnancy, and was sensitive to inhibition by low dose aspirin. CONCLUSION: Low dose aspirin would appear to be an appropriate agent for the inhibition of platelet reactivity associated with hypertensive pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Precocious puberty associated with malignant thoracic teratoma and malignant histiocytosis in a child with Klinefelter's syndrome.

A 10-year-old boy with precocious puberty of 2 1/2 years' duration presented with a malignant thoracic teratoma with elevated levels of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) and alpha fetoprotein (alpha FP). The mediastinal tumor was completely excised and adjuvant chemotherapy commenced. Within 3 weeks of commencing chemotherapy he developed hematologic abnormalities that, with the subsequent clinical illness, led to a diagnosis of malignant histiocytosis. Death occurred a few days after start of therapy for malignant histiocytosis. Cytogenic studies showed the somatic karyotype to be that of Klinefelter's syndrome, while the malignant cells in marrow and lymph node carried an additional marker chromosome. This case, with others reported, suggest that the XXY karyotype may influence the development of mediastinal germ cell tumors, which in themselves appear to be associated with the early onset of a malignancy of the hemopoietic system.

Child↗