Biomedical subjects

S M Kibel

Publications and source records attributed to S M Kibel.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Five years' experience of injured children.

This study was undertaken to analyse admission data on all patients seen in the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital Trauma Unit during the period 24 April 1984 - 31 March 1989. Data were retrieved from computerised records completed on admission and were reviewed descriptively. Variations in age, sex and population group pattern for different causes of injury were evaluated together with data on the nature and place of injury and time seen. Data for analysis of nature of injury by cause were also retrieved, but over a 2-year period only (1986-1987). Accuracy of recorded data was assessed from a random sample of hospital records. During the 5-year period 57,468 patients were seen in the Trauma Unit, of whom 17.1% were admitted. In addition 6,377 cases of poisoning and 119 of near-drowning were seen by the medical departments. Forty-three per cent of injuries were due to falls, which were the most important cause of injury in both admitted and non-admitted patients of all age, sex and population groups. Other main cause groups were bumps and blows (15%), transport (11%) and burns (11%). Transport and burn injuries had the highest admission rates. This is the first study of children's injuries in southern Africa and provides information essential to future design of paediatric trauma care systems and accident prevention programmes.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1990

Trends in childhood injury mortality in three South African population groups, 1968-1985.

Trends in major causes of injury mortality and the proportion of total deaths attributable to injuries from 1968 to 1985 for white, coloured and Asian children less than 15 years in the RSA were examined. There were 937 injury deaths in 1968 and 853 in 1985 but no clear trends in overall mortality rates were observed. There were, however, marked fluctuations in injury mortality rates from year to year with peaks in 1975 and 1981/1982. The impact of injury as a cause of death has increased relative to a decrease in other diseases, notably gastro-enteritis and malnutrition in children less than 5 years. Patterns varied considerably between age, sex and population groups. Overall, road and burn death rates decreased while drowning and assault rates increased. Reasons for observed trends are discussed and the need for the collection of reliable national data for the total population is highlighted.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1990

Injury-related mortality in South African children, 1981-1985.

Data on all registered deaths in children less than 15 years in the RSA (excluding Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei) were analysed for 1981-1985. Variations in age, sex and population group pattern for different causes of injury were evaluated. Injury accounted for 8% of deaths in children less than 15 years and was the leading cause of death between the ages of 5 years and 14 years (accounting for 43% of deaths). Motor vehicle accidents were the most important cause of injury deaths in all age groups except less than 1 year, when accidental choking and suffocation resulted in more deaths. Drowning accounted for 19% of injury deaths and burns for 11%. In 14% of injury deaths it was not determined if the injury was accidental or purposefully inflicted. In all age and population groups deaths among boys outnumbered girls. The impact and pattern of injury varied considerably between age and population groups and reasons for these findings are discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1990

Paediatric trauma care.

Paediatric trauma care varies in different countries. In South Africa injury is the leading cause of death in the 5-14-year-old age group--1.5-3.8 times higher than in the USA. In 1978 the Child Safety Centre was established and prospectively collected data on paediatric injuries. The various types of injuries are discussed. Trauma is responsible for the highest percentage of years of life lost but the least amount of money is being spent on research and prevention of injuries. The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa has been constituted to research, prevent and reduce the risk factors of the injuries and to improve facilities for the injured child.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Childhood near-drowning--a 12-year retrospective review.

The epidemiological findings in 107 patients admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, between 1976 and 1987 with a diagnosis of near-drowning are reported. Of these patients, 77% were less than 5 years of age (ratio of boys to girls 2.1:1) and 46% of accidents occurred in swimming pools, 18% in buckets and only 9% in the sea. The high percentage of bucket near-drownings is unique in published medical reports; this appears prevalent in socially disadvantaged communities. Seventy-six per cent of the children were normal on discharge from hospital, 12% died and 6% had neurological damage. In 6% the final outcome was not known. These results are in keeping with other hospital-based studies. Preventive strategies are discussed and the need for further research highlighted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Childhood near-drowning--factors associated with poor outcome.

Anoxic cerebral damage is the limiting factor in recovery from near-drowning accidents. This study reports factors associated with poor outcome in 100 near-drowned patients admitted to the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital from 1976 to 1987. The study was designed as a retrospective folder search. Children with fixed dilated pupils, flaccidity, decerebrate or decorticate posturing, or clinical signs of cerebral oedema are more likely to have a poor outcome. Patients with metabolic acidaemia and those requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the emergency room or subsequent mechanical ventilation also do poorly. Those requiring more aggressive management can be identified and a more accurate working prognosis may be possible in the hours after the accident.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Blood lead levels in young newspaper vendors.

Young newspaper vendors spend long hours working in high-traffic areas and may be at risk of lead toxicity. Two groups of these vendors working in areas with different atmospheric lead levels were compared with a control group. Vendors in central Cape Town (mean ambient lead level of 2.1 mg/m3) had a mean blood lead level of 19.5 micrograms/dl, whereas vendors in Bellville (mean ambient lead level of 0.65 mg/m3) had a mean blood lead level of 15.4 micrograms/dl. The mean blood lead level of the control group was 11.0 micrograms/dl. These differences were statistically significant and lend support to the view that direct absorption of atmospheric lead can make a considerable contribution to lead load.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Surgery for osteophyte-induced dysphagia.

A patient with DISH in whom osteophytes caused severe dysphagia has been described. Surgical removal of the osteophytes was simple and effective. The features of DISH have been summarized, the pertinent literature reviewed and the role of surgery discussed.

Aged↗