Bertil Lindquist

IgG subclasses in selective IgA deficiency: importance of IgG2-IgA deficiency.

A SELECTIVE deficiency in IgA appears in about one in 700 persons.1 Many of these persons are healthy,2 but there is an increased frequency of infections, autoimmune disorders, atopy, and malabsorp...

Effect of Vitamin D on the Metabolism of Radiocalcium in Rachitic Rats

The mode and site of action of vitamin D is still unknown despite extensive investigations during recent years by a number of researchers, who have approached the subject from different angles. The author has carried out some experiments with radiocalcium in an attempt to elucidate the effect of vitamin D on the metabolism of calcium in rachitic rats. The effect of vitamin D upon the absorption of calcium was studied. Experiments were carried out in order to find the minimuin dose of vitamin D necessary for maximal absorption of calcium, given by stomach tube. In rachitic rats there is a well established effect on the absorption of calcium when the vitamin was given only 12 hours before Ca45. The maximum effect of vitamin D on the absorption was noted 60-72 hours after administration. The effect was present I hour after the Ca45 was given. In an endeavour to study the effect to vitamin D on the calcification mechanism a series of experiments were carried out in which a solution of Ca45 was given subcutaneously. The results indicate that vitamin D in some manner promotes mineratisation in rachitic bone. Futhermore, observations made in the present investigation suggest that not only bone formation but also bone resorption is increased during the healing phase of rickets. The uptake of Car5 in the metaphyses with different doses of vitamin D gives a curve of response which may be used for testing vitamin D.

A comparative study on the mode of action of dihydrotachysterol and vitamin D on the calcium metabolism.

In experiments on rats it was found that dihydrotachysterol differs markedly from vitamin D in two respects: (1) the dose required to cure rickets is higher, and (2) the therapeutic range is narrower.

Breast-feeding as a Protection against Gastroenteritis and Other Infections

This editorial reviews current knowledge of the mechanisms by which breastfeeding protects infants against gastroenteritis and other infections. Breast milk averts the disadvantage of contamination with micro-organisms in the handling process common to indigenous foods used in the weaning period and commercial milk products. The infections caused by contaminated food and water compound the malnutrition already caused by inadequate weaning food. Human milk is thought to contain several nonspecific and specific factors that provide protection against infections such as gastroenteristis and upper respiratory tract infections. Analogues to epithelial cell receptors may prevent the mucosal attachment of potential pathogens. Protection of the breast-fed infant against cholera has been shown to be related to the level of the IgA antibodies in the mothers milk against the cholera lipoplysaccharide and enterotoxin.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VARYING PROTEIN INTAKE IN LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANT FEEDING

Svenningsen, N.W., Lindroth, M. and Lindquist, B. (Department of Paediatrics, University of Lund, Sweden). A comparative study of varying protein intake in low birthweight infant feeding. Acta Paediatr Scand. Suppl. 296: 28, 1982. — In a prospective longitudinal study of 48 very low birthweight and preterm infants with mean birthweight 1 385±343 and gestational age 30.8±2.9 w an assessment was made of the impact of varying the protein intake in the postnatal period from the 3rd to 7th week of life. The infants were randomly allocated to one of three dietary groups with isocaloric energy supply but different protein content—i.e. human milk (1.6 g/100 kcal), formula 1 (2.3 g/100 kcal) and formula 2 (3.0 g/100 kcal). In the human milk group 12 of 18 infants were fed their own mothers breastmilk. During the study period the mean weight gain was slightly higher in the infants fed formula 1 and 2. There were no group differences in S‐albumin whereas B‐urea‐N and B‐base deficit were significantly increased in the formula fed infants in comparison to infants fed human milk. After the study period until around 15 weeks of age the slope in weight gain remained slightly higher for formula fed infants. However, the gain in body length and head circumference was equal in all three groups. After around 8 months of age there was no difference in any growth parameter. Neurodevelopmental examinations showed no group differences during the follow‐up period to 2 years of age.

EARLY DETECTION OF PRESCHOOL HEALTH PROBLEMS—ROLE OF PERINATAL RISK FACTORS

Abstract. To evaluate a perinatal riskgrouping system, 1262 4‐year‐old children went through a comprehensive health examination. A total of 41.5% of the newborns were included in the wide criteria of risk, which were more common among boys and among children of the youngest and oldest mothers. Among the 4‐year‐old, the frequency of significant physical health problem was 15.8%, including 10.1% visual disturbances and 2% neurological disorders. In some combinations of riskgroups and later health problems there were statistically significant correlations, e.g. regarding prematurity and cerebral irritation vs. cerebral palsy, hut not sufficient to serve its purpose as a screening instrument. Even the accumulation of especially serious events in the perinatal period gave no clue to later neurological disorders. The addition of low socioeconomic status as a perinatal risk did not influence the outcome either. The reasons for the weak correlation between perinatal risk factors and later outcome of health disorders and handicaps are discussed, and it is concluded that to detect children with health problems, there seems to he no acceptable alternative to a comprehensive health surveillance as part of a general health service programme of all children, including clinical examinations and screening procedures by well trained personnel.

Use of Hyaluronidase in Scleroderma

One case of generalized progressive scleroderma in a 10 year old girl is described. ACTH and para‐amino‐benzoic acid had no or contrary effect, while hyaluronidase showed a good effect on the skin lesions as well as on the tissue indurations.

Syndrome of the Anterior Spinal Artery

A case is observed of the anterior spinal artery syndrome in a boy aged 6. Paralysis developed within half an hour with tetraplegia followed by dissociated anesthesia and. loss of bladder and bowel function. The symptoms were probably due to a vascular lesion, possibly because of trauma. This is apparently ihe first report of the classical picture in a child.

IgG Subclass Defficiency and Its Relation to IgA Deficiency

Children may suffer from deficiency of one or more of the IgG subclasses‐ although the total level of IgG may be normal‐resulting in recurrent bacterial infections. Subclass deficiency may also be seen in some other well‐defined immuno deficiency states, i. a. selective IgA deficiency. Thus, IgG2 deficiency was found in 5 of 22 such children with symptoms of various diseases. Normal IgG2 levels were found in sera from 11 healthy individuals with selective IgA deficiency. IgGl levels of the whole IgA deficient group were significantly increased as compared to a normal reference group.