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Biomedical subjects

Y Dgani

Publications and source records attributed to Y Dgani.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

[Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in adult Ethiopian immigrants].

339 adult immigrants from Ethiopia were surveyed 1 year after arrival. They were screened for diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance by measurement of serum HgbA1C levels. The levels were higher than normal in 35 subjects (10.3%), and were significantly higher in immigrants consuming the Israeli diet, which is richer in proteins and carbohydrates, than in those on the Ethiopian diet. Oral glucose load was abnormal in 7 subjects. 3 had overt diabetes mellitus with absent serum insulin response to glucose load. 4 had glucose intolerance with normal insulin secretion. However, clinical appearance of diabetes was incidental and diabetes ketoacidosis was not detected. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in this ethnic group (2.1%) is similar to that in the general population of Israel. Longitudinal studies would indicate the exact prevalence and type of diabetes mellitus among the Ethiopian immigrants.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

[Thyroid dysfunction and goiter among immigrants from Ethiopia].

1131 immigrants from Gonder, Ethiopia were surveyed a year after arrival in Israel. The overall prevalence of goiter was 46.1%; the lowest rates (6.7%) were in infants (aged 1-2 years) and the peak prevalence in males was 56.7% (in those aged 12-14 years) and in females, 77.7% (in those aged 35-40). A significant decrease in goiter prevalence was observed after the age of 60 for both men (7.2%) and women (35%). The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 1.1%, 2% in children and 0.2% in adults. That of hyperthyroidism was 1.7%, 0.8% in children and 2.4% in adults. The high prevalence of goiter and hyperthyroidism with low prevalence of hypothyroidism probably resulted from the combined effects of food goitrogens and iodine deficiency in Ethiopia, with the latter playing only a minor role. Neither factor was in effect after arrival in Israel. Genetic and hormonal factors may contribute to the low prevalence of both goiter and hypothyroidism in the adult males. In view of the high prevalence of hyperthyroidism, iodine enrichment is not recommended for Ethiopian immigrants.

Adolescent↗

Acute severe combined demyelination.

We present a second case in which Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) appeared simultaneously, both in acute and fulminant form. The patient, a 10-year-old girl, presented with acute onset of coma and flaccid, are-flexic quadriparesis. The elevated CSF protein levels and delayed F waves fulfilled the criteria of GBS and an MRI study revealed extensive multifocal demyelination compatible with a diagnosis of ADEM. Prompt clinical response followed by complete recovery was achieved by treatment with corticosteroids. It is suggested that acute severe combined demyelination might constitute a separate entity in which the demyelinating process, involving simultaneously the central and the peripheral nervous systems, indicates immune response against a component of the myelin of one system carrying cross-antigenicity with the other.

Acute Disease↗

The vitamin C status of formula-fed preterm infants.

Forty-two pairs of maternal and cord plasma vitamin C levels were determined after term, preterm, and multiple gestation pregnancies and 95 determinations of plasma ascorbate were performed on 36 premature infants who were fed a recommended infant formula throughout the first month of life. There were no significant changes of the cord or maternal ascorbate levels or of the cord/maternal ascorbate ratio between term, preterm, and multiple gestation cases. A significant negative correlation was found between the maternal ascorbate levels and the cord/maternal ascorbate ratio, supporting previous observations that high fetal blood levels of vitamin C are maintained even in cases where the maternal vitamin nutrition is poor. A rapid decline from cord levels was evident during the first week of life, followed by maintenance of relatively low plasma ascorbate levels, despite supplementation of recommended vitamin nutrition. Further monitoring of ascorbate levels in premature infants is suggested for better adjustment of the recommendations for vitamin C supplementation.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Aminophylline versus doxapram in idiopathic apnea of prematurity: a double-blind controlled study.

A double-blind controlled study, in two parts, was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of aminophylline and doxapram therapy in idiopathic apnea of prematurity. In the first part of this study, eight of 15 infants responded to doxapram therapy with complete cessation of apneic spells and six of 11 infants responded similarly to administration of aminophylline. These differences were statistically insignificant. In the second part of the study, assessment was made of whether the addition of doxapram to aminophylline therapy was effective in treatment of apnea of prematurity that had been unresponsive to aminophylline alone. Of ten infants who continued to have apneic spells during treatment with aminophylline, eight responded to the addition of doxapram with complete cessation of apnea. Nine infants received placebo in addition to aminophylline, and none had a reduction in frequency of apnea.

Aminophylline↗

Late presentation of haemorrhagic disease of the newborn.

A 9 week old infant presented with bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency. He had not been given vitamin K after birth but there was no associated risk factor for deficiency and he had not bled from circumcision performed at 8 days of age.

Age Factors↗

Goiter prevalence in children immigrating from an endemic goiter area in Ethiopia to Israel.

A survey study was performed to assess the prevalence of goiter and thyroid dysfunction in a population of 534 Ethiopian children, one year after arrival in Israel. The overall prevalence of goiter was 43.6%. Children in the age group 1-2 years had the lowest prevalence of goiter (6.7%). A progressive increase in goiter prevalence and size with age was observed, with peak occurrence around puberty for both boys (56.7%) and girls (72.2%). Serum FT4 levels were elevated in 4 children; elevated serum TSH levels (above 4.5 mIU/l) were found in 11 children, all of them had normal FT4 levels. Thus the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism was 2% and 0.8%, respectively, with an even distribution across the various age groups. All the children were clinically normal. The high prevalence of goiter in this group of Ethiopian children with the low frequency of hypothyroidism may be attributed to the combined effects of food goitrogens and iodine deficiency prevailing in Ethiopia. The standard Israeli diet seems to be adequate in respect to iodine requirements, and no iodine enrichment is needed for children immigrating from Ethiopia.

Adolescent↗

Endemic goiter in Ethiopian Jews--possible pathogenetic factors.

Goiter size, thyroid function tests and thyroid cytology were studied in 100 immigrant Ethiopian Jews, 1-12 months after arrival in Israel on Operation Solomon (1991), who were referred for evaluation of goiter. Female-to-male ratio was 2.2:1. Hypothyroidism was rare (1%) whereas hyperthyroidism was frequently diagnosed (11%). Elevated thyroglobulin (TG) serum levels were found in 36% of the patients. Antithyroid antibodies were not detected. Thyroid cytology revealed rich colloid goiters in all patients. Thyroid carcinomata and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis were not diagnosed. Both hyperthyroidism and elevated TG levels were found only in female patients and were equally distributed in patients maintained on either Israeli or Ethiopian diets. It is suggested that the major factors in the pathogenesis of endemic goiter in Ethiopian Jews are genetic and/or food goiterogens, with only a minor role for iodine deficiency.

Adolescent↗