Richard Mackay

Timing of neonatal cerebroventricular haemorrhage with ultrasound.

Sequential real-time ultrasound examinations were performed in 174 neonates to determine the time of occurrence of cerebroventricular haemorrhage (CVH). Of the 47 infants in whom CVH was detected, in 36 (77%) CVH was present at the first examination. Of the 34 infants with CVH who were examined first within 6 hours of birth, 24 (71%) already had haemorrhage demonstrable at the initial scan. Extension of a CVH after its initial detection occurred in only 3 infants. Of 124 consecutive infants of birthweights less than 1500 g, 38 (31%) developed CVH, 56% of the outborn and 27% of the inborn babies. Our results indicate that most infants who develop CVH have done so within 6 hours of birth.

High sensitivity troponin outperforms contemporary assays in predicting major adverse cardiac events up to two years in patients with chest pain.

Background Previous studies have shown a risk of subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) and elevated cardiac troponin. The aim of this study was to compare prognostic utility of high-sensitivity troponin with contemporary troponin assays in such patients. Methods In total, 332 patients with suspected ACS were investigated between November 2006 and April 2007; all were followed for two years. Blood samples were analysed to compare Roche Elecsys high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT), Abbott Architect troponin I 3rd generation (TnI 3) and Roche Elecsys troponin T (TnT), for the prediction of MACE (composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and revascularization). Results Sixty-eight patients (20.5%) experienced MACE between discharge and two years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve derived area under the ROC curve (95% confidence intervals) for baseline hsTnT were 0.70 (0.63–0.76), TnI 3 0.66 (0.59–0.73) and TnT 0.61 (0.53–0.69). hsTnT (P = 0.001) was superior to TnT and TnI 3 trended (P = 0.094) to superiority but were equivalent to each other. hsTnT best stratified patients with cumulative event rates for two-year MACE of 35.6% for levels ≥99th percentile, 17.9% for levels between the limit of detection (LOD) and 99th percentile and 5.4% for levels <LOD compared with TnI 3: 33.0%, 31.1% and 10.9%, respectively. TnT had MACE rates of 36.7% when ≥99th percentile and 15.4% when <99th percentile (=LOD). Conclusions hsTnT outperformed contemporary TnI and TnT assays for the prediction of MACE at two years. Those with levels below the LOD for hsTnT identified a group of patients at very low risk for adverse events.

Sweat testing for cystic fibrosis: A review of New Zealand laboratories

Background:  Evolving diagnostic criteria for cystic fibrosis, broadening of the populations being tested and the need to interpret intermediate sweat test results have imposed a much greater need to standardize the collection and analysis of sweat.

Cross-sectional survey of risk factors for asthma in 6–7-year-old children in New Zealand: International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood Phase Three

Aim:  To identify risk factors for asthma in primary school‐aged children in New Zealand.

Electrolytes in sick neonates - which sodium is the right answer?

Introduction Hypoproteinaemia leads to spuriously high-sodium values when measured by indirect ion-selective electrodes (ISE) as used in main laboratory analysers compared with direct ISE employed in point-of-care analysers (POCT). The authors, therefore, investigated the occurrence of hypoalbuminaemia and its effect on measured sodium from POCT and the main laboratory analyser of neonatal intensive-care samples. Method Sodium, in paired retrospective samples, measured by the main laboratory and neonatal unit blood-gas (POCT) analysers were compared. Results Hypoalbuminaemia (<30 g/l) was present in 1400/2420 paired results. Sodium was higher when measured by laboratory analyser, the difference increased with decreasing albumin; sodium (laboratory – POCT)=7.6 (±1.1)–0.22 (±0.04)×albumin. A difference >3 mmol/l was present in 31% and consequently underestimated (9.4%) hyponatraemia and overestimated (3.8%) hypernatraemia. Conclusion Hypoalbuminaemia is common in sick neonates and monitoring electrolytes using POCT and laboratory analysers frequently yield significantly different results with consequent misclassification. In these patients, measurement of electrolytes by direct ISE (blood-gas analyser) may be more accurate.

BCS1L gene mutation presenting with GRACILE-like syndrome and complex III deficiency

The clinical presentation of a neonate with GRACILE-like syndrome, complex III deficiency and BCS1L mutations is discussed. This case is compared and contrasted with the original Finnish reports of GRACILE syndrome and other cases with a similar phenotype. This case confirms the pathogenicity of the BCS1L gene mutation c.166C>T, and provides support for the pathogenicity of a sequence variation, c.−588T>A, previously reported.

Perinatal factors, periventricular haemorrhage and mortality in very low birthweight infants

In a population of 225 very low birthweight infants born over a 21 month period the cerebroventricular system was scanned by ultrasound. One third of the infants developed a periventricular haemorrhage; in 41% of infants the haemorrhage was detected before an hour of age and 66% of all haemorrhages occurred within the first 24 hours.

Time trends and risk factors for rhinoconjunctivitis in New Zealand children: an International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) survey.

Aim:  To investigate prevalence, time trends and factors associated with rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis not related to acute infections in New Zealand.

Intraventricular haemorrhage in term neonates: diagnosis by ultrasound.

ABSTRACT. The occurrence of intraventricular haemorrhage in three term babies, diagnosed by real‐time ultrasound, is described. Two babies presented with apnoeic spells followed by seizures, but no history of significant asphyxia or trauma. The third suffered an intraventricular haemorrhage in association with a severe respiratory illness. Real‐time ultrasound has proven to be a useful diagnostic tool in detection of intraventricular bleeding in preterm neonates. Ultrasound or computerized axial tomographic scanning is recommended in term babies with apnoea or seizures which are not otherwise explained by an abnormal perinatal history, physical examination or biochemical investigations.

Time trends, ethnicity and risk factors for eczema in New Zealand children: ISAAC Phase Three.

Background Eczema is a common chronic disease which has significant morbidity and costs for children and their families. Phase One (1993) of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) found a high prevalence of symptoms of eczema in New Zealand. Objective In Phase Three (2001-3) we aimed to answer these three questions: Is the prevalence of eczema changing over time?; Are there ethnic differences in prevalence?; and What are the risk factors for eczema? Methods Five New Zealand centres participated in ISAAC Phases One and Three using the same methodology. Questionnaires about ethnicity, symptoms of eczema and environmental factors were completed by parents of 6-7 year olds (children) and self-completed by 13-14 year olds (adolescents). Prevalence and change per year were calculated by centre, ethnicity and gender. Prevalence differences between centres and associations with environmental factors were examined using logistic regression. Results There was little change in prevalence over time for the children, and a decrease in prevalence for the adolescents. Prevalence was higher among Māori and even higher among Pacific participants than among European children. Positive associations with current eczema symptoms were found for both age groups for truck traffic in the street of residence, and current paracetamol consumption, and for children only, antibiotics or paracetamol in the 1st year of life. Inverse associations were found with residence in New Zealand less than 5 years, consumption of milk, seafood, and eggs, and presence of a dog in the home. Conclusion Eczema remains a significant problem, particularly for young Māori and Pacific New Zealanders in whom less recognition of eczema and poorer access to effective, sustained eczema management may be contributing factors. Reverse causation may explain all the environmental findings apart from truck traffic which is increasing in New Zealand.