The pattern of paediatrics in Jamaica

An analysis is presented of 1890 consecutive admissions to the children's ward of University College Hospital in the four years 1955-1958. 1090 were under the age of two years, 197 of these died. 800 were between two and thirteen years of age with 56 deaths. In the under two age group the commonest diseases are malnutrition (26 percent) and gastro-enteritis (25 percent). These two diseases together are responsible for 57« of the deaths. The majority of these cases could be prevented by the provision of enough suitable cheap food and by the education of the mothers in infant feeding. In the over two age group malnutrition and gastroenteritis are of insignificant proportion and there is a wide range of diagnoses similar to those found in temperate climates. The frequency of rheumatic fever and heart disease is emphasized. Diphtheria is an important cause of morbidity and mortality which should be prevented (AU)

Estudo da morbidade e da mortalidade por difteria na cidade do Recife, de 1973 a 1982 por grupos de idade / Morbidity and mortality due to diphteria in the city of Recife, from 1973 to 1982, by age groups

Estuda-se a evoluçäo da morbidade e da mortalidade por difteria, distribuídos por grupos de idade, na cidade do Recife, no período de 1973-82. Säo utilizados para análise, dados fornecidos pelas Diretorias de Informática e de Epidemiologia da Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Pernambuco/Fundaçäo de Saúde Amaury de Medeiros. A distribuiçäo etária apresentada é a existente na Instituiçäo: menores de 1 ano, 1 a 4 anos e 5 a 14 anos. Observa-se que a incidência näo apresenta maiores modificaçöes. Os valores da equaçäo da linha reta mostram o comportamento no período. Os dados referentes à cobertura vacinal evidenciam uma utilizaçäo inadequada deste recurso. A queda da mortalidade observada no período deve-se a uma reduçäo na letalidade verificada principalmente em crianças de 1 a 4 e 5 a 14 anos. Esta reduçäo pode traduzir uma melhor assistência ao doente

Difteria en niños hospitalizados: Algunos aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos con relación a la letalidad / Diphtheria in hospitalized children: some clinical and epidemiological aspects in relation to mortality

Del estudio prospectivo clínico y epidemiológico con relación a la letalidad, en 118 niños con difteria atendidos de 1975 a 1981 en el hospital Belen de Trujillo, se obtuvo una incidencia de 9.5 por 1000 hospitalizados de 0-14 años. La mayor frecuencia en el sexo masculino y en climas templados fueron poco significativos. Al ingreso, un tiempo de enfermedad mayor a dos días, edades menores a 6 años, procedencia sub-urbana, carencia de inmunización completa, formas clínicas faringo-amigdalares con compromiso laríngeo o no, toxemia evidente y cuello proconsular, significaron gravedad y riesgo. La seudomembrana estuvo presente en 94%, la fiebre en 86%, dolor de garganta, disfagia y adenopatía submaxilar en 60%, toxemia evidente en 55% y cuello proconsular en 35%, 80% del total de complicaciones fueron miocárdicas, 15.7% neurológicas y 4.3% trastornos hemorrágiperos, las primeras significaron gravedad y riesgo. La letalidad por difteria fue 12.7%

Some features of diphtheria in Kingston & St. Andrew

Two surveys of cases of diphtheria occurring between the years 1964 and 1971 in hospital populations of Kingston and St. Andrew were studied. The results were analysed to determine the extent of the disease and to indicate the most susceptible groups in the community. It was found that the susceptible group consisted of non-immunised children under 5 years of age, from areas where there was over-crowding, poor housing and sanitation. Using these results as a guide, Schick Testing was carried out on children in a low income suburb and the results analysed. This showed a high degree of susceptibility in the non-immunised children, especially the 1 and 2 year olds, and also showed some degree of protection among children who had no record of any immunisations (Summary)