Hypoglycemia in alcohol poisoning

Poisoning with wines and spirits has been rare accident in children in Trinidad, but in 1961 there appeared a sudden rise in its incidence in San Fernando Hospital. Possible reasons for the increase are suggested. The recognition of hypoglycemia in 8 out of 13 children seen with acute alcholic poisoning suggested a form of treatment which appeared to contribute to the recovery of the 6 survivors. Only 7 similar cases have been reported in the world literature. It is suggested that hypoglycemia should be considered in children poisoned with alcohol and perhaps other chemicals. Some unexplained episodes of hypoglycemia in children may be the result of alcohol poisoning unknown to or concealed by the parents (AU)

Incidence and treatment of hookworm anaemia

Over a period of 49 months, 135 children were admitted to San Fernando Hospital, Trinidad, because of anaemia associated with hookworm infestation. Eight of these patients died. In 66 children given iron-dextram complex intramuscularly, satisfactory rise in hemoglobin levels was noted. It is felt that a daily dose of 50 mgm. was adequate for most cases and that neither dosage beyond this level nor vitamin B12 supplements enhanced this response any further. The clinical management is discussed and it is noted in passing that the incidence of this disease is now one-eight of what it was 5 years ago (AU)

Clinical studies on South Trinidadian children: (III) intramuscular iron in the treatment of hookworm anaemia

Results are presented to show that in the treatment of children with severe iron deficiency anaemia, associated with hookworm infection, intramuscular iron has proved so efficient that it is proposed to continue its use despite the present controversy about its ultimate effects. In the small groups of children investigated, it appeared that little benefit was derived from increasing the daily dose of iron from 50 to 100 or 200 mgms., or from adding vitamin B12 to the regime. It is suggested that a few grave cases, in whom haematinics were inadequate and simple blood transfusion dangerous, were saved by exchange transfusion.(AU)

Clinical studies on South Trinidadian children: IV Hypoglycaemia in rum poisoning

In a period of six months, a general hospital admitted seven children who had been poisoned with rum and five of them were found to be hypoglycaemic. The administration of glucose was followed by recovery which was instantaneous in one and rapid in two others. Two cases died despite treatment. The occurrence of severe hypoglycaemia in acute alcoholism in children is recognised but unexplained. Recent experience here suggest that this reversible complication should be sought in children poisoned with alohol and some other substances. It appears that rum should be added to the list of causes of acute toxic hypoglycaemia in childhood (AU)

Epidemic nephritis in South Trinidad

Over a period of 6 months a remarkable increase was seen in the incidence of acute nephritis among children in South Trinidad, and 263 cases were admitted to a general hospital. The patients were found to differ in their age, sex, and geographic distribution. The disease was associated with respiratory infection rather than skin infection, the form usually seen here, and the appearance of desquamation in many of the children suggested that the underlying organism was one capable of producing scarlet fever. The disease was mild. Only five children (1.9 percent) died, all from cardiac failure. Recovery appears so far to be complete in all but one of the survivors. (Summary)

Clinical studies on South Trinidadian children: II. the treatment of neonatal tetanus

Twenty babies with neonatal tetanus were seen in a general hospital in a period of forty months. Conventional treatment and careful nursing permitted the recovery of twelve infants, while tetanus was the sole cause of death in only three of the fatal cases.(AU)

Fatal malnutrition in South Trinidad (abstract only)

Over a two year period, of 294 children dying from medical or infectious diseases in a general hospital, 94 per cent had an autopsy performed. One hundred and sixty-three of the children were aged between 1 month and 1 year, and in these, malnutrition was the sole cause of death in 33 percent and a major contributory factor in 35 per cent. In contrast to the findings elsewhere, malnutrition was most common between the ages of 1 and 7 months, which period accounted for 79 per cent of the nutritional mortality in the 1st year and 68 per cent of that in the first 10 years. The reason for this early incidence are briefly discussed (AU)

Clinical studies on South Trinidadian children: 1. fatal malnutrition

Over a two year period, of 294 children dying from medical or infectious diseases in a general hospital, 94 per cent. had an autopsy performed. One hundred and sixty three of the children were aged between 1 month and 1 year and in these, malnutrition was the sole cause of death in 33 percent., and a major contributory factor in 36 per cent. In contrast to the findings elsewhere, malnutrition was most common between the ages of 1 ane 7 months. which period accounted for 79 per cent. of the nutritional mortality in the first year and 68 per cent. of that in the first 10 years. Possible reasons for this early incidence are discussed briefly.(AU)

"Sugar Babies" in Trinidad

The clinical and autopsy features of 20 fatal cases of "Sugar babies" are reported from the Colonial Hospital, San Fernando, Trinidad. At autopsy the most striking finding was the large fatty liver. Treatment of the condition is discussed and the importance of an adequate protein intake during the first year of life is stressed. (AU)