EEG findings in an eleven-year-old girl with mercury intoxication.

An 11-year-old female was seen at our outpatient clinic with a broad variety of symptoms that were due to elemental mercury intoxication. Electromyography and sequential electroencephalography findings obtained at days 2, 36, 88 and 148 are described. The patient was treated with chelation therapy during which she clinically improved considerably. A profound decrease in urinary mercury concentration occurred as well as normalization of the electroencephalogram.

[Optimal breastfeeding to prevent hyperbilirubinaemia in healthy, term newborns]. / Optimale borstvoeding ter preventie van hyperbilirubinemie bij gezonde, voldragen pasgeborenen.

In a newborn infant, frequent bowel movements diminish the enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin, thereby increasing bilirubin excretion. In breastfed newborn infants, the frequency of latching on and administration of supplementary feeds are associated with serum bilirubin concentrations. Frequent breast feeding (at least 8 times a day) and fewer supplementary feeds will result in increased breast milk intake, less weight loss, and lower bilirubin concentrations. In the case of a breastfed infant presenting with neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia, the advice should be to breastfeed more frequently and to withhold supplementary feedings. An icteric newborn infant should be seen and weighed daily. If the infant has lost more than 10% of its birth weight, drinks poorly, or fails to gain weight despite latching onto the breast frequently, it should be referred to the paediatrician for further diagnosis and treatment. To ensure optimal production of breast milk during the first days after birth, early latching on is recommended, preferably within one hour after birth.