Traditional practice of oil massage of neonates in Bangladesh.

Topical application of natural oils is practised routinely in many countries and may either improve skin barrier function and health or have detrimental cutaneous and systemic effects, depending on the composition of the oil. Little literature on the epidemiology, practice, and perceptions of traditional neonatal oil massage is available. This study was undertaken to gain insights into the epidemiology, practice, and perceptions regarding traditional oil massage of Bangladeshi neonates. A questionnaire was administered verbally to the primary caretaker of 332 outpatients at the Dhaka Shishu Hospital, and to 20 women with children encountered at the Matlab Health Complex in Bangladesh. More than 96% (340/352) of the caregivers practised oil massage, irrespective of socioeconomic status and place of residence. Among those at the Dhaka Shishu Hospital who practised oil massage, mustard oil was used alone or in combination by 95% (303/320) over the entire body, 1-3 time(s) daily (96%), starting in the first three days of life (72%) in both term and preterm neonates. Perceived benefits included prevention of infections (69%) and hypothermia (2%). Oil massage is an important traditional domiciliary practice used annually on more than three million newborns in Bangladesh. Given its potential for beneficial and harmful effects, further research is needed on the value of this practice, and ways to optimize its beneficial effects.

Dermatosis facticia del "Tercer compartimiento" / Factitial dermatosis \"of the Third Lodge\"

Las paniculitis son entidades que se caracterizan por una inflamación del tejido subcutáneo. Las provocadas por inoculación de diferentes sustancias las podemos agrupar en autoinducidas o iatrogénicas; dentro de ellas se reconocen la paniculitis facticia o autoprovocada y el lipogranuloma esclerosante. Presentamos un caso de paniculitis facticia, provocada por la inoculación de aceite para fricción, sustancia no descrita hasta el momento dentro de la lista de causas posibles

Elaioconiose: revisão de 10 anos / Elaioconiose: review of 10 years

As dermatoses ocupacionais particularmente a elaioconiose constituem em nosso meio uma parcela considerável dos acidntes de trabalho. É assunto de avaliação difícil e complexa, já que geralmente não chega às estatísticas e sequer ao conhecimento dos especialistas. Com a elaioconiose é provocada pelo contato contínuo da pele com o petróleo e seus derivados, este trabalho foi direcionado para a classificação de óleos minerais, particularmente os óleos de corte, os mais empregados na nossa indústria. Para esclarecimento desta condição são abordados também o quadro dermatológico e os métodos de prevenção e proteção do trabalhador. Finalmente, são discutidos os aspectos médico-legais da dermatose, já que muitas vezes o trablhador é afastado definitivamente da sua função.

Emanations de l'huile de palme chauffante: facteur de l'asthme

Des asthmatiques consultant en Pneumologie a l'Hopital Jamot de Yaounde se sont plaints de toux et de dyspnee apres inhalation des fumees qui se degagaient du recipient dans lequel chauffait de l'huile de palme rouge; tres utilisee dans la cuisine traditionnelle. Reproduisant les conditions normales d'une cuisine; les auteurs ont expose 59 asthmatiques et 54 non asthmatiques a ces fumees. 47;45 pour cent des asthmatiques ont fait une crise de dyspnee classique. Mesurant le debit expiratoire de pointe (DEP) a l'aide d'un DEP metre avant; 5; 10 et 15 minutes apres l'exposition aux emanations; ils ont constate une diminution significative du DEP chez 16 patients presentant une toux spasmodique ou des rales sibilants soit 27;11 pour cent des asthmatiques. Seulement 24;1 pour cent des non asthmatiques ont presente des troubles mineurs (eternuements). Aucun n'a presente de diminution du DEP superieure ou egale a 20 pour cent; et aucun signe respiratoire n'a ete observe chez les non asthmatiques. Il existe donc une hyperreactivite bronchique de reaction aux emanations de l'huile de palme chauffante chez les sujets asthmatiques

Atmospheric pollution and certain aspects of morbidity in Kuwait

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of environmental pollution due to oil well fires in Kuwait on human health. The sample derived from Emergency room visits to Al-Adan Hospital as well as hospital admissions during a three month period in 1989,1991 and 1992 [just before, during and after the oil well fires]. To record the impact of atmospheric pollution on human health, a selection was made of those morbid conditions which are known to be affected or aggravated by the former, viz., allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma and other conditions of the respiratory tract. In addition, measures of the reproductive outcome were also studied during the same time span. The results showed that atmospheric pollution was responsible for producing allergic conditions affecting the eye and nose as evidenced by a significant rise in the number of hospital admissions and outpatient visits to the Emergency Room. No significant rise in the incidence of asthma was detected. There was a marked decline in the number of normal deliveries over the period of atmospheric pollution. There was also an increased incidence of ectopic pregnancies, multiple gestations, antepartum haemorrhage, spontaneous abortion and low birthweight babies. No significant difference was observed in the number of still-births during the years 1988-92. A direct correlation was observed between atmospheric pollution and smoke-related morbidity based on the mean levels of gaseous and particulate matter in the atmosphere of Kuwait during and after the oil well fires

Physicians' opinion on the relationship between oil smoke pollutant and acute illness

In August, 1991, at the time of the oil-smoke crisis, primary care physicians were asked to fill out questionnaires on their experience with patients exposed to smoke pollutants. A total of 232 physicians from 42 clinics responded, from whom 221 questionnaires were processed. These represented 80% of the primary care physicians available at these five Health Regions at that time. The results showed that the commonest presenting symptoms in patients suffering from the ill effects of oil-smoke pollutants were: allergic conditions of the eyes [79.19%]; asthma [76.92%]; cough [70.59%]; skin allergy with pruritus and itching [68.33%]. There were no marked differences in these estimates among the five Health Regions. As cited by 89.40%, patients with chronic pulmonary illness suffered the most. Those medications most frequently prescribed were: antihistamines [72.85%]; drugs used to treat asthma [71.49%]; cough mixtures [48.87%]; antipruritic preparations [49.77%]; eye drops [44.80%]. The treatment was described as effective in 89.57%. Referrals to hospitals were kept to a minimum

Pulmonary aerosol clearance studies of persons exposed to air pollution from burning oil wells in Kuwait

The integrity of the pulmonary epithelial membrane can be altered by certain acute or chronic pulmonary conditions, such as cigarette smoking, inhalation of toxicants, alveolitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome and hyaline membrane diseases. Most of these conditions can cause an increase in the clearance rate of Tc-99m DTPA aerosols. The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrity of the pulmonary epithelial membrane by using Tc-99m DTPA aerosol clearance rates in persons who inhaled the smoke from the burning oil wells in Kuwait. Four groups of 60 smokers [S] and non-smokers [NS], viz, oil field workers, residents fully or partially exposed to the oil smoke and new arrivals in Kuwait who were not exposed to the oil smoke were studied. Placed in a sitting position, the subjects inhaled Tc-99m DTPA aerosol for two minutes. Using a [G. E.] gamma camera interfaced with a star computer, and with the subject in a posterior supine position for both lungs, dynamic images [30 sec/frame] were acquired over a thirty minute period. Activity time curves were then generated by fitting a monoexponential equation using the G. E. Starcam computer. The t[1/2] values were calculated from the fitted curve and these are given below in minutes: Oil Field workers [S] [NS] Continuous exposure [S] [NS] Partial exposure [S] [NS] Recent arrivals [S] [NS] 28.6+7-5.3 77.0+7-8.8 26.2+7-5.1 68.3 +/- 8.1 31.1 +/- 5.6 76.6+7-8.8 28.0+7-5.3 72.5+7-8.5 The clearance rate of Tc-99m DTPA aerosols in these subjects would seem to indicate that the inhalation of smoke produced by the burning oil wells in Kuwait did not alter the integrity of the pulmonary epithelial membrane