[Inpatient treatment of adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication: the tip of the iceberg?]. / Stationäre Behandlung von Jugendlichen mit akuter Alkoholintoxikation: Die Spitze des Eisbergs?

AIMS: This study assessed whether (i) adolescents treated in hospital for acute alcohol intoxication show different habitual drinking patterns from adolescents of the general population and whether (ii) predictors for repeated treatment can be identified. METHODS: A sample of adolescents who had undergone inpatient treatment for intoxication (clinical sample) comprised n=482 under 18-year-old subjects, who had additionally been surveyed within the context of the project "Hart am Limit" (HaLT) between 2008 and 2010 (mean age: 15.1 years, 44.4% girls). The population sample consisted of n=1 994 Bavarian students who had taken part in the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs (ESPAD) in 2007 (mean age: 15.7 years; 54.4% girls). RESULTS: Within the clinical sample, gender differences in age, level of education and motivation to get drunk were found. Adolescents of the clinical sample were on average younger and had a higher level of education than adolescents in the general population sample. Although students in the clinical sample drank alcohol less often (2.8 vs. 5.0 times within the past 30 days), they drank more alcohol per occasion (36.4 g vs. 22.3 g pure alcohol per drinking day). Assessments by a third-party show that the risk of repeated inpatient treatment due to alcohol intoxication is positively associated with perceived psychosocial stress and negatively associated with perceived family support. CONCLUSIONS: A hospitalisation due to alcohol intoxication does not sufficiently indicate alarming habitual drinking behaviour. The risk of hospitalisation seems to depend on the drinking context and other factors of the drinking situation. Nevertheless, a sub-group of adolescents, who seem to display an elevated risk for intoxications, could be identified. It is for this sub-group, that supportive measures must be made available.

[Skin tests for diagnostics of allergic immediate-type reactions. Guideline of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology]. / Hauttests zur Diagnostik von allergischen Soforttyp-Reaktionen. Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergologie und klinischen Immunologie (DGAKI).

Skin tests in patients with IgE-mediated immediate type allergy are performed with the intention to establish a contact between allergens and skin mast cells. The latter carry specific IgE antibodies on their surface. If mast cells get activated, mediators (mainly histamine) are released which induce a visible skin reaction (wheal and erythema).[nl]Skin tests are indicated, if an immediate type allergic disease is suspected. Systemic anaphylactic reactions at skin testing are very rare. However, it is necessary to take them into account and to provide emergency treatment. Relative contraindications comprise skin diseases in the test area, poor general condition and insufficiently treated severe asthma. If tests are used, which have a higher risk for a systemic anaphylactic reaction, pregnancy or beta-blocker therapy, are further contraindications.[nl]Skin test application does not depend on patient age. However, in pre-school age tests are reluctantly performed. It is essential to consider the half-life of drugs which may interfere with the test result, and which have to be discontinued early enough before testing. After anaphylactic reactions there may be a refractory period. Therefore, tests should not be done within the first week after such reactions. Skin prick tests are the procedures of first choice, intradermal tests are more sensitive than prick tests. Skin tests are performed at the flexor side of the forearm. As intradermal tests are more inconvenient, testing can be also done at a less susceptible site of the body (upper back).[nl]It is recommended to use standardized test extracts. However, if standardised extracts are not available or do not yield suitable test results, one may switch to other preparations. If the patient shows a positive reaction to a non-standardized substance, control tests should be performed in healthy subjects in order to exclude an unspecific reaction.[nl]The reaction is read after 15 to 20 min. Skin tests are regarded positive if the mean wheal diameter is ≥ 3 mm at the prick test, and ≥ 5 mm at the intradermal test.[nl]Skin test results may be negative although patients are allergic. If a skin test is positive, one will have to distinguish reactions, which are clinically relevant, from those, which are not. History and/or challenge tests help to clarify the relevance of a sensitization. Usually, a clinically irrelevant sensitization does not lead to practical consequences.

Serum-cobalt levels with metal-on-metal bearings in the cement-free total hip arthroplasty results covering two years; prospective study.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Total hip arthroplasty increases the use of alternate bearings to prevent polyethylene wear as the number of younger and more active patients has drastically risen. We carried out a prospective randomized study, to assess and compare clinical results and radiological changes, serum-cobalt- and serum-aluminium-levels when metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings are applicated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After giving informed consent 80 consecutive patients were included in this prospective randomized study. They were randomly assigned to receive either a metal-on-metal or a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing in their total hip replacement. Eligible were patients with a primary coxarthrosis or an avascular necrosis of the head of femur. Of the 80 patients 54 were females and 26 males. 42 patients were randomized to a metal-on-metal bearing and 38 patients were randomized to a ceramic-on-ceramic bearing. The average patient-age was 65,8 years and the mean body mass index was 27,7 at the time of operation. Surgery was performed through a transgluteal approach in supine position under general or spinal anaesthesia. A forged conical threaded acetabular component made of titanium-aluminium-niobium alloy was used in all patients. The metal inlays and the 28 mm metal heads were made of Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy with a carbon content of 0,2%. The ceramic inlays and the 28 mm ceramic heads are Al2O3 implants. We used as femoral component a conical rectangular stem of a titanium-aluminium-niobium alloy. Cup and stem werde implanted cementfree. Clinical data werde obtained at a follow up at a minimum of two years after implantation. Patients were assessed with the Harris Hip Score and the University of California at Los Angeles activity scale. 72 of the 80 patients could be explored clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: The 2 year follow up check showed clinically and radiologically no difference between the two groups. The median Harris HipScore was above 90 points and the UCLA score was about 7 points. The medium serum-cobalt level was in the metal-on-metal group about 1.2µg/L and in the ceramic-on-ceramic group below the detection limit. The medium serum aluminium level showed values of 1.2 respectively 1.3 µg/L. The luminescencies in the metal-on-metal group were increased, but all components of the prosthesis could be regarded as stable. DISCUSSION: It was the goal of our prospective study to compare clinical and radiological results of hip arthroplasty in metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings and assess the serum-cobalt and the serum-aluminium levels. The socalled "biocorrosion" is still a high risk element for loosening of implants because of aseptic osteolysis. A higher release of polyethylene and metal particles is triggered, which leads to a slow but continuous process of inflammation. Apart from the debris also metal ions in a higher concentration are released, so that we could detect after some years in patients with artificial implants a higher level of metal in blood and urine. So far we did not recognize any carcinogenity or the appearance of renal disorders, or other mutagene effects in our patients. We could also not observe any fractures in ceramic implants. We are convinced that short time and intermediate reports are necessary, although final judgement can only be based on long term data. CONCLUSION: Our prospective randomized study showed after two years no difference clinically between the two groups of metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings with total endoprostheses of the hip. Although medium serum-cobalt level in the metal-on-metal group with 1,2u/L is a significant higher value, whereas it lies in the ceramic-on-ceramic group below the detectable limit.

Impact of early feeding on childhood eczema: development after nutritional intervention compared with the natural course - the GINIplus study up to the age of 6 years.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional intervention with hydrolysed infant formulas has been shown efficacious in preventing eczema in children predisposed to allergy. However, this preventive effect has never been related to the natural course of eczema in children with or without a family history of allergy. The aim of this study therefore was to compare the course of eczema in predisposed children after nutritional intervention to the natural course of eczema. METHOD: The prospective German birth cohort study GINIplus includes a total of 5991 children, subdivided into interventional and non-interventional groups. Children with a familial predisposition for allergy whose parents agreed to participate in the prospective, double-blind intervention trial (N=2252) were randomly assigned at birth to one of four formulas: partially or extensively hydrolysed whey, extensively hydrolysed casein (eHF-C) or standard cow's milk formula. Children with or without familial predisposition represented the non-interventional group (N=3739). Follow-up data were taken from yearly self-administered questionnaires from 1 up to 6 years. The outcome was physician-diagnosed eczema and its symptoms. The cumulative incidence of eczema in predisposed children with or without nutritional intervention was compared with that of non-predisposed children who did not receive intervention. Cox regression was used to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: Predisposed children without nutritional intervention had a 2.1 times higher risk for eczema [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.7] than children without a familial predisposition. The risk was smaller with nutritional intervention even levelling out to 1.3 (95% CI 0.9-1.9) in children fed eHF-C formula. CONCLUSION: Although direct comparability is somewhat restricted, the data demonstrate that early intervention with hydrolysed infant formulas can substantially compensate up until the age of 6 years for an enhanced risk of childhood eczema due to familial predisposition to allergy.

Early allergic sensitizations and their relevance to atopic diseases in children aged 6 years: results of the GINI study.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have analyzed the value of early sensitization in predicting the development of atopic disease. The relevance of low immunoglobulin (Ig) E antibody levels in this respect also remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relevance of sensitization in 12-month-old children in the development of atopic disease by the age of 6 years. METHODS: We analyzed data for 1290 children with a positive family history of atopy from the prospective, multicenter German Infant Nutritional Intervention (GINIplus) study and investigated the relationship between the presence of detectable specific IgE antibodies at the age of 12 months and the development of atopic disease by the age of 6 years. RESULTS: In all, 10.9% of children analyzed developed sensitization. At the age of 6 years, 20.6% of children with early sensitization had eczema compared to 9.4% of those without (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-3.74). The corresponding figures were 15.4% vs 7.3% for allergic rhinitis (OR, 2.22; CI, 1.31-3.78) and 10.2% vs 2.6% (OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.98-7.76) for asthma. Children with early sensitization to aeroallergens had the greatest risk of subsequent atopic disease. Early sensitization did not increase risk in children without eczema within the first year of life. Very low specific IgE levels (0.18-0.34 kU/L) were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes analyzed. CONCLUSION: Sensitization to common food allergens and to aeroallergens in particular during the first year of life was found to be a strong predictor for the development of atopic disease by the age of 6 years in children with a positive family history of atopy.

The German Infant Nutritional Intervention Study (GINI) for the preventive effect of hydrolyzed infant formulas in infants at high risk for allergic diseases. Design and selected results.

In the complex interaction between certain environmental factors and genetic disposition, the early allergen exposure plays a major role in the development of allergic diseases. In aiming to reduce the allergen burden for the infant at risk during early infancy, cow's milk protein hydrolysate infant formulas (hypoallergenic infant formulas) are appropriate alternatives to breastfeeding for primary allergy prevention. The German Infant Nutritional Intervention-Program (GINI) was supported for the first 3 years by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) (FKZ 01 EE 9401-4). It is a birth cohort which was primarily scheduled until the children were 3 years old. The aim of the prospective, randomized, double-blind intervention study was to investigate the impact of different cow's milk protein hydrolysate infant formulas in the first 4 - 6 months on the development of allergic diseases in children at risk due to at least one parent or biological sibling with a history of allergic disease. The allocation to one of the 4 intervention formulas (partial whey hydrolysate, extensive whey hydrolysate, extensive casein hydrolysate or standard cow's milk formula) was randomised and stratified by family history (single/biparental) and the respective obstetric clinic. Recruitment was carried out by the three clinical centers (Research Institute Marien-Hospital Wesel, Children's Department, Ludwigs-Maximilians-University Munich and Children's Department Technical University Munich) in 18 obstetric clinics between 01.09.1995 and 30.06.1998. Along with the intervention study a non-interventional, complementary observational cohort of children with or without allergy risk was recruited and followed by annual self-reporting parental questionnaires. The GINI intervention study (GINI-I, N = 2.252) and the non-interventional observation study (GINI-NI, N = 3.739) are combined in the population-based GINIplus study (see article J. Heinrich et al. in this journal). The results of the GINI intervention study confirm that, cow's milk protein hydrolysate infant formulas have a preventive effect on allergic manifestation compared with a standard cow's milk formula, until school age. However, the dimension of the effect is different between the formulas. This effect, which is mainly driven by the effect on atopic eczema, develops in the first months of life and persists without rebound. In the formula groups the cumulative incidence of atopic eczema until school age is reduced between 26% and 45% compared with standard cow's milk formula. A beneficial effect of the hydrolysate formulas on the respiratory manifestations asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis, however, could not be shown. By comparing the GINI intervention and non-intervention arm of the GINIplus study it was demonstrated, that a family history for allergy doubles the risk for eczema in the offspring. Early intervention with cow's milk protein hydrolysate infant formulas is able to substantially compensate this risk for eczema until the age of 6 years. In contrast, by randomization to standard cow's milk formula this risk showed a trend towards a higher incidence compared with children at risk from the non-intervention group. Thus, the results of the GINIplus study have contributed to answer some of the controversially discussed questions.

GINIplus and LISAplus - Design and selected results of two German birth cohorts about natural course of atopic diseases and their determinants.

The increasing prevalence of asthma, hay fever, and allergic sensitization in Western Germany after east-west division in 1949 and their rapid increase in East German children after re-unification in 1990 are strong indications for the role of life-style and/or environmental factors in the development of atopic diseases. Obviously, the perinatal period is crucial for priming the immune system. Therefore, explorations of determinants of atopic diseases need pregnancy or birth cohorts as the most appropriate epidemiological study designs. This review presents the design and selected results of the two German birth cohorts GINIplus and LISAplus. GINIplus and LISAplus recruited 5.991 and 3.097 healthy, term newborns, respectively, from Munich, Wesel, Leipzig, and Bad Honnef. Approximately 55% could be followed for the first 10 years. We analyzed the natural course of atopic diseases and the role of life-style, environmental, and genetic factors for disease onset, intermediate phenotypes, and genes involved in detoxification and oxidative stress. The results of these two large birth cohorts contributed substantially to the understanding of atopic diseases and their determinants.

Serum aluminium and cobalt levels after ceramic-on-ceramic and metal-on-metal total hip replacement.

In a randomised study, 28 patients with a mean age of 62.2 years (32 to 81) with osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis of the hip received either a ceramic-on-ceramic or a metal-on-metal total hip replacement. Apart from the liners the acetabular and femoral components were made of Ti-Al-Nb alloy. The serum aluminium and cobalt levels were measured before, and at one year after surgery. The 15 patients in the ceramic-on-ceramic group had a median pre-operative aluminium level of 1.3 microg/l (0.25 to 8.4) and a cobalt level below the detection limit. At one year the aluminium level was 1.1 microg/l (0.25 to 2.3) and the cobalt level was 0.4 microg/l (0.15 to 0.7). The 13 patients in the metal-on-metal group had a median pre-operative aluminium level of 1.9 microg/l (0.25 to 4.4) and a cobalt level below the detection limit. At one year the median aluminium level was 0.9 microg/l (0.25 to 3.9) whereas the cobalt level was 1.4 microg/l (0.5 to 10.5). This increase in the cobalt level at one year was significant (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that ceramic-on-ceramic bearings do not cause elevated levels of serum aluminium in the first post-operative year.

Primary cementless total hip arthroplasty with second-generation metal-on-metal bearings: a concise follow-up, at a minimum of seventeen years, of a previous report.

BACKGROUND: Second-generation, metal-on-metal bearings were introduced in 1988, to reduce wear and avoid polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis from total hip arthroplasty. In 2007, we reported the long-term results of ninety-eight patients (105 hips) who underwent primary cementless total hip arthroplasty involving the use of a prosthesis with a high-carbide-concentration, metal-on-metal articulating surface between November 1992 and May 1994. The present study gives an update on this patient cohort. METHODS: At a minimum of seventeen years postoperatively, forty-nine patients (fifty-two hips) were available for follow-up examination. We retrospectively evaluated clinical and radiographic results as well as serum metal concentration. The mean patient age at the time of the index arthroplasty was fifty-six years. RESULTS: Three cups (6% of the hips) and one stem (2% of the hips) were revised because of aseptic loosening of the implants combined with focal osteolysis. At the time of the latest follow-up evaluation, the mean Harris hip score was 88.8 points, and the mean University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score was 6.7 points. The cumulative rate of implant survival, with aseptic failure as the end point, was 93.0% at 18.8 years. The median serum cobalt concentration in patients whose hip implant was the only source of cobalt was 0.70 µg/L (range, 0.4 to 5.1 µg/L), showing no increase in the value as noted at a minimum of ten years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiographic results of our study, which, to our knowledge, represent the longest duration of follow-up for a series of cementless total hip arthroplasties with use of a 28-mm metal-on-metal bearing, continue to be comparable with the results observed for other hard-on-hard bearings.

[Acute alcohol intoxication in adolescents: preliminary results of a pilot project in Munich]. / Akute Alkoholvergiftung bei Jugendlichen: Erste Ergebnisse eines Münchener Pilotprojekts.

OBJECTIVE: To present preliminary results of a pilot project on the prevention of alcohol-associated problems in adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication. METHOD: Questionnaires were filled in by 110 of 128 adolescents (85.9% response rate) who had been admitted to a hospital in Munich, Germany, between December 2007 and July 2008, because of alcohol intoxication. Data were obtained on sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol intoxication and drinking patterns, and were analysed using descriptive methods. RESULTS: Half of these adolescents mainly suffered from moderate to severe degrees of alcohol intoxication. Drinking patterns leading to alcohol intoxication were characterized by relatively low drinking frequency interspersed by episodes of excessive alcohol intake (binge drinking). Thirteen (14.8%) of the adolescents reported previous hospital admissions for alcohol intoxication, nine (17.3%) did not know about the life-threatening danger of alcohol intoxication and twelve (22.2%) reported taking illegal drugs within the last 12 months. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who had been admitted to hospital because of alcohol intoxication had a drinking pattern which put them at a higher risk for alcohol intoxication and acute alcohol-related problems than adolescents in the general population. Re-admission to hospital within 12 months because of alcohol intoxication, revealing a lack of knowledge about the life-threatening danger of alcohol intoxications and of consuming illegal drugs, may indicate an increased risk for alcohol-related problems. This points to the need for preventive action in adolescents showing these indicators, a need that was met within this pilot project by brief intervention.

[Results of cementless hip arthroplasty]. / Ergebnisse zementfreier Hüftendoprothetik.

Hip arthroplasty is performed nowadays according to the needs of the patients irrespective of their age. Tapered rectangular stems for cementless fixation are chosen in most cases in central Europe. They provide primary stability by press-fit implantation into a precisely rasped osseous bed and secondary stability by bone ingrowth into the highly biocompatible titanium alloy with a microrough surface. The 10-year survival of such devices is 92%. Typical radiographic patterns include cortical atrophy and radiolucent lines in Gruen zones 1 and 7. They are due to stress shielding with these distally fixed implants. The number one reason for revision is polyethylene wear and subsequent osteolysis. Metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic bearings show less wear but osteolysis continues to be a problem.

[Prevention of heterotopic ossification after THA with indomethacin: analysis of risk factors]. / Ossifikationsprophylaxe nach Hüft-TEP mit Indomethacin: Analyse von Risikofaktoren.

AIM: Several risk factors are associated with heterotopic bone formation following total hip replacement. All these risk factors were defined in cohorts without any treatment against postoperative ectopic bone. The aim of this prospective study was to reveal risk factors for the development of postoperative ossifications in patients who underwent a 7-day course of indomethacin therapy. METHODS: 211 consecutive patients with 217 cementless total hip arthroplasties were included. Patients were given 100 mg indomethacin daily in a 7-day course. RESULTS: Grade 2 or 3 ossifications were observed in 13 (5%) of the male and 3 (2%) of the female Individuals postoperatively (p = 0.0043; odds ratio = 0.45). Older individuals (p = 0.0021; odds ratio = 1.03) as well as patients with primary osteoarthritis (p = 0.0307; odds ratio = 0.28) also showed a higher risk for developing ectopic bone formations. CONCLUSION: With a 7-day course of indomethacin after total hip arthroplasty, male and elderly individuals, as well as patients with primary osteoarthritis, are considered to be at high risk to develop heterotopic ossifications postoperatively. Indomethacin reduces the incidence of postoperative ectopic ossifications, but not the patient's risk.

[Alström-syndrome: a missed diagnosis with consequences]. / Alström-Syndrom: Eine verkannte Diagnose mit Konsequenzen.

BACKGROUND: Alström-syndrome (OMIM: 203 800) is a rare disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. Characteristic features are retinal degeneration, truncal obesity, diabetes mellitus and sensorineural hearing loss. Further variable symptoms include chronic hepatitis and asthma. CASE REPORT: A patient with asthma associated with retinal degeneration is presented. The investigations demonstrated truncated obesity, sensorineural deafness and impaired glucose tolerance and Alstrom-syndrome was diagnosed. She received hearing aids, diabetes training and is regularly reinvestigated for further manifestations of Alström-syndrome.

[Development of atopic disease in early childhood--predisposing factors]. / Atopieentwicklung in der frühen Kindheit--Prädisponierende Faktoren.

In this study, we attempted to find factors which predispose infants to atopy. 200 unselected newborns were followed up to 3 years of age. Children with elevated cordblood IgE or positive family history developed atopic disease significantly more frequent (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01). Parental smoking or formula feeding alone did not influence the frequency of subsequent atopic disorders. However, in combination with reduced cordblood CD8-cells atopy was observed significantly more often (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.025). Similar results were found in children with reduced cordblood CD3-cells, whose parents were smokers (p less than 0.01). These results suggest that factors which alone do not influence atopy can enhance each other to predispose atopic disease in early childhood.

[Six to ten year results of use of the alloclassic hip prosthesis--a multicentre survival analysis]. / 6 - 10-Jahres-Ergebnisse des zementfreien Alloclassic-Hüftsystems--Eine multizentrische Survival-Studie.

AIM: This prospective study describes This retrospective multicenter study was undertaken to calculate mid- and long-term survival rates of the cementless Zweymüller/Alloclassic total hip prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The rectangular titanium stem and threaded cup have been in use since 1986. The ball head is made of alumina ceramic, the inlay of UHMW polyethylene. Five hospitals in Austria, France and Germany cooperated in the follow-up of 848 patients operated between October 1986 and September 1990 (mean age 62.2 years, 62% women, 38% men, mean patient weight 73.8 kg, body mass index 26.8). 468 patients were followed clinically, 320 patients interviewed on the phone, 29 sent a letter. No information was available concerning the remaining 31 patients. Probabilities of implant survival were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: 98 patients (11.5%) had died at a median follow-up time of 81.1 months. The probability of survival at 81.1 months was 98.6% looking at stem and cup. There was no significant association of survival of the prosthesis and patient weight, gender or body mass index. CONCLUSION: Our results are in accordance with previously published data of smaller series using the Zweymüller/Alloclassic( total hip. The survival rate of this cementless rectangular titanium prosthesis for the reported follow-up time compares favorably with contemporary cemented hip prostheses.

Caesarean section and gastrointestinal symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and sensitisation during the first year of life.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of caesarean section on gastrointestinal symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and sensitisation to nutritional allergens in infants. METHODS: A total of 865 healthy full term neonates with parental history of allergy participating in the prospective German Infant Nutritional Intervention Program (GINI) were exclusively breast fed during the first four months of life and had a one year follow up. Data were obtained by follow up visits at age 1, 4, 8, and 12 months, weekly diaries for the first six months, and measurement of total and specific IgE at birth and 12 months. RESULTS: Infants born by caesarean section (147/865, 17%) had a greater risk of diarrhoea (OR(adj) 1.46, 95% CI 1.022 to 2.10) and sensitisation to food allergens, both in adjusted (OR(adj) 2.06, 95% CI 1.123 to 3.80) and stratified analyses (by cord blood IgE). Caesarean delivery was not associated with colicky pain and atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: Caesarean delivery might be a risk factor for diarrhoea and sensitisation in infants with family history of allergy. Further research in this area seems warranted as choosing caesarean section becomes increasingly popular.

Cord blood T-cell determination: a further useful parameter for atopy screening of the newborn?

In a prospective study, the total CB IgE and T-cell subpopulations in cord blood of 200 newborn children were determined by means of monoclonal antibodies (CD3, CD4, and CD8). There is no correlation between raised cord blood IgE and reduced T-cell ratio in the cord blood or with a positive family history. In a follow-up study carried out at the age of 12 to 14 months, 21% of atopic children had a positive family history and, simultaneously, a reduced total cord blood T-cell rate (CD3). Only 3% of nonatopic children had a positive family history and a reduced cord blood CD3 ratio. Statistically speaking, this distinction is significant (p less than 0.01).

Haemoglobin adducts from aromatic amines in children in relation to area of residence and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of area of residence on haemoglobin (Hb) adducts of 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), o-, m-, p-toluidine and o-anisidine was investigated in children from three different-sized Bavarian cities - Munich, Augsburg and Eichstätt, with 1,300,000, 250,000 and 13,000 inhabitants, respectively--and was compared with that of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). METHODS: Blood samples from Munich (n = 34) and Eichstätt (n = 64) were from children attending the Paediatric Clinic of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) or a practice in Eichstätt, respectively. Blood samples (n = 126) together with urine samples (n = 88) were collected from Augsburg children during school medical examination. Personal data including possible sources of ETS exposure were obtained at the interview. Hb adduct levels were analysed by a gas chromatographic method, using mass spectrometry with selected-ion monitoring. Urinary cotinine was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: 4-ABP Hb adduct levels in children from Munich were 1.5 and 1.2 times higher than those in children from Eichstätt and Augsburg (P < 0.001). Children from Munich also had significantly higher Hb adduct levels of monocyclic aromatic amines than did children from Eichstätt and, except for o-toluidine, children from Augsburg (P < 0.005). Compared with children from Eichstätt, children from Augsburg had higher Hb adduct levels of 4-ABP, o- and m-toluidine (P < 0.01) but not p-toluidine and o-anisidine. In a multivariate analysis, gender, age and body mass index had no consistent influence on Hb adducts. ETS exposure resulted in a slight, nonsignificant increase in 4-ABP Hb adduct levels. In contrast, adduct levels from monocyclic aromatic amines were consistently decreased in ETS-exposed children (significant for o- and m-toluidine, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hb adducts from aromatic amines in children were strongly influenced by site of residence, whereas ETS exposure did not significantly increase the adduct levels.JECT