Bo Vahlquist

IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN ETHIOPIAN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN E (IgND)

Abstract The immunoglobulins G, A, M, and D were determined in three series of Ethiopian preschool children. The levels of IgG and IgD were significantly higher than those found in a group of Swedish children of the same age; the mean levels of IgD being five to six times higher than in the Swedish series. The concentrations of the new immunoglobulin class, IgE, were also studied. The levels of IgE were between sixteen and twenty times higher than in Swedish children, and in a group with verified infection with Ascaris lumbricoides the level was twenty-eight times higher. These findings favour the hypothesis that parasitic infestations are important factors in stimulating IgE production.

Studies on Diphtheria. II. Immunization against diphtheria in newborn babies and in infants

In many countries nowadays the antitoxic immunity against diphtheria is most unsatisfactory. In Sweden less than 10 per cent of the non immunized adults have antibodies in »protective» concentrations. As a consequence the mothers but infrequently transfer to their offspring the passive immunity, which was formerly assumed to be the rule. Hence the question of immunization already at an early age becomes topic. Earlier authors almost unanimously expressed the view that an immunization during the first months of life is not practicable the infants at this age being considered to have a poor antitoxin producing power. The results of the experiments published in this paper clearly demonstrate that this opinion is erroneous. Even the newborns react upon diphtheria immunization with aluminium precipihted toxoid, although the response in antibody formation is often delayed. Earlier workers seem to have been misled by one or several of the following errors: the slow reaction of the newborns; the more or less complete interference of »passive» antibodies, exceeding 1/50–1/10 A. U./cc, with the active immunization; and the importance of even minute amounts of »active» antibodies, indicating former sensitization, for the results of immunization.

BRAIN GROWTH IN CHILDREN WITH KWASHIORKOR A Study using Head Circumference Measurement, Transillumination und Ultrasonic Echo Ventriculography

ABSTRACT. Engsner, G., Habte, D., Sjögren, 1. and Vahlquist, B. (Ethiopian Nutrition Institute and the Ethio‐Swedish Pediatric Clinic, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and the Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden). Brain growth in children with kwashiorkor. A study using head circumference measurement, transillumination and ultrasonic echo ventriculography. Acta Paediatr Scand, 63, 1974.—Brain growth was studied in 53 children with kwashiorkor and marasmic kwashiorkor by the simultaneous use of head circumference measurement, transillumination and ultrasonic echo ventriculography. The results of examinations on admission showed that the head circumference was reduced but probably slightly less so than in marasmic children. The transillumination findings were distinctly abnormal: bearing the age difference in mind, the abnormality was more pronounced than in the cases of marasmus. The lateral ventricle index, calculated from echo ventriculograms, was increased, which was not the case in marasmus. A systematic follow‐up study for 6 months of 10 patients showed a gradual and complete normalization of the transillumination and echo ventriculographic findings. The interpretation of the results, taking into consideration also the possible sources of error, is discussed.

CONGENITAL AGAMMAGLOBULINAEMIA IN THE BROTHER OF A BOY WHO DIED OF GENERALIZED BCG INFECTION.

At the Department of Paediatrics, Uppsala, in January 1962 a boy died of general sepsis with signs of congenital agammaglobulinaemia. A brother of this child had died in 1953 of generalized BCG infection [5]. The occurrence of these two, both rare, illnesses in two brothers in itself justifies publication. As will be apparent from the following, there is evidence that the boy that died of BCG infection also had agammaglobulinaemia.

Cyclic Vomiting with Recurring EEG Changes and Severe Course: A Report of Two Cases

Two children who presented a picture of unusually intense vomiting attacks accompanied by pronounced mental changes axe reported. During attacks the EEG was grossly abnormal only to become normal within a few days following the end of the attack. I n one case abnormalities of the EEG could be traced 10 days before the onset of a new vomiting period. A hesaniethonium bromide preparation tested in both children gave definite symptomatic relief but had no influence on the duration of the attack as a whole. This seemed to be the case, however, with chlorproniazine therapy. Autopsy in one child dying in an attack showed vascular changes of the teleangiectasia type with main localization in the left hippocampal region and in the pons; in the former region in combination with glious scar formation.

CHILD HEALTH IN SWEDEN

ABSTRACT. Sjölin, S. and Vahlquist, B. (Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden). Child health in Sweden. Acta Paediatr Scand, 63: 485, 1974.—On the basis of relevant vital statistics, some characteristic features of the health of Swedish children during the last two centuries are presented and analysed with regard to probable causative factors. An attempt is also made to define in brief the child health problems of the future.

Chronic Granulocytic Leukemia in Childhood

In ndults the chronic forms of leukemia the liver was palpable about 2 ern and the constitute a large and significant group, the frequency of which predominates over that of the acute forms from the age of 25 years (cf. Wintrobe, 1956). From birth to 15 years the position is quite different. Acute leukemia is then relatively common, while the chronic type is unusual: the lymphatic form is extremely rare, and according to different statistics the granulocytic form constitutes only 5 : ; or less of all cases (Cooke, 1953; Opitz, 1954; Lightwood et al. 1960). During the last 10 years the senior author has observed five cases of chronic granulocytic leukemia in children. Several of these were kept under careful observation over long periods. Among the special studies which were made, B,, analyses in the serum and the effect of Myleran therapy are worthy of mention.

Malnutrition and size of the cerebral ventricles. Echoencephalographic studies in infants and young children. Preliminary communication.

Examination of the size of the cerebral ventricles by means of echoencephalography in Ethiopian infants and young children with severe malnutrition showed a moderate but significant increase in children with kwashiorkor, examined up to 3–4 weeks after admission, whereas children with marasmus showed no deviation from the normal.

Idiopathic Hypoproteinaemia versus Hypoproteinaemia due to Pancreatic Dysfunction

A child aged 4 months with pancreatic dysfunction, hypoproteinaemia, and oedema showed rapid improvement in the oedema and hypoproteinaemia following the institution of specific therapy. It is proposed that at least some of the cases of “idiopatic” hypoproteinaemia may be due to pancreatic dysfunction.

Migraine and allergy.

During the past few decades, it has been asserted in a large number of investigations, particularly in the United States, that migraine should be regarded as an allergic disease (Vaughan, 1927; survey by Vaughan and Black, 1948). This view is based on the following observations: ( i ) occurrence of allergic manifestations in the migraine patients themselves, as well as in their relatives; (2) according to the sick history appearance of attacks after the ingestion of certain foods; (3) positive skin tests indicating specific hypersensitiveness; (4) positive results of exposure to specific allergens; (5) good therapeutic results with desensitization and/or elimination diet.