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In this chapter we have described some of the experiences of a special psychiatric clinic for children with epilepsy, drawing our examples from a series of 50 children. The behavioral consequences of epilepsy cannot be adequately described within the limited nosology available for classifying the behavior disorders of children. As an alternative, a series of behaviors which children actually require in order to maintain their social existence have been identified; furthermore, impairments of those behaviors have been pointed to, and consequences of these behavioral impairments have been outlined. The behavioral consequences of epilepsy are often multiple and are sometimes mutually interactive. The extent to which these behavioral deviations depend both upon the exhibition of seizures and the presence of structural abnormalities in the brain is made most evident by the marked changes in behavior which can be achieved when epilepsy is relieved and a lesion is removed. Unfortunately, such a stratagem is not available to the majority of children with epilepsy. For the time being, their cerebral impairment and the continuation of their epilepsy have to be taken for granted, and intervention then consists of the best possible management of their impairments and their distressing behaviors. Such management clearly requires psychiatric and psychological skills, although these skills do not necessarily lead to greater success than does the use of anticonvulsants or the use of surgery. Success is not an adequate measure of the appropriateness of the endeavor. It goes without saying that not all children with epilepsy suffer behavioral consequences along these lines, and indeed behavioral disturbances were not universal even in this highly selected series. Some children were seen merely as a way of improving their medical status or achieving surgical treatment. These more traditional medical maneuvers are easier to undertake and are more understandable to parents than are complex strategies of psychiatry. In any event, parents deserve considerable support. The language of psychiatry for children with organic cerebral impairments is extremely limited; this chapter has been an attempt to improve our vocabulary, which will be a necessary underpinning in order to improve the quality of our classification. Finally, we return to Bridge's statement. Firstly, we do not regard epilepsy as a disease any more than we would regard cough as a disease, and we find that orientations in that direction are likely to thwart our attempt at piece-by-piece dismantling of the many sorts of disease which might be associated with seizures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Behavioral consequences of epilepsy in children. Developing a psychosocial vocabulary. 200 4

There are several protozoan infections that cause relatively benign illness in normal individuals but result in severe disease manifestations in patients with AIDS. These diseases include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, CNS toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, and isosporiasis. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) caused by Pneumocystis carinii, is the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS. It is seen in more than 80% of individuals with this syndrome. Although historically classified as a protozoan, this organism shares many biochemical characteristics with fungi. The onset of PCP may be insidious, and cough and dyspnea are the most common presenting symptoms. Auscultation of the lungs is often unremarkable, but diffuse infiltrates are commonly seen on chest radiographs. The diagnosis of PCP can be confirmed by identifying the organism on specimens obtained by sputum induction or bronchoalveolar lavage. Trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole is the treatment of choice but is unfortunately associated with leukopenia and rash in many individuals. Both trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole and aerosolized pentamidine are used prophylactically in patients at high risk for initial or relapsing infection. The appropriate use of these agents has resulted in improved survival for AIDS patients with PCP. Toxoplasmosis, due to Toxoplasma gondii, affects the central nervous system in patients with AIDS. Headache is a common presenting symptom, and both seizures and paresis can occur. A diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is strongly suspected in symptomatic individuals with ringed mass lesions noted on head CT. Patients with this condition are treated with a combination of sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, and folinic acid. Cryptosporidiosis and isosporiasis are coccidian protozoan diseases that can result in severe, acute, and chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptosporidiosis is the more common of the two and is caused by an unknown species of the genus crytosporidium. Isosporiasis is due to infection with Isospora belli. Dehydration and weight loss are a common result of infection with either agent. A definitive diagnosis can be made by examining an acid fast stain of a diarrheal stool specimen and demonstrating oocysts that are specific for each of these organisms. Fluid replacement and general supportive care are essential in the treatment of both of these diseases. Spiramycin is an unproven treatment modality that is often used in patients with cryptosporidiosis. Isosporiasis responds to initial therapy with trimethaprim-sulfamethoxazole, followed by prophylaxis with pyrimethamine. The adoption of safe sexual practices that minimize fecal-oral contamination should decrease the future prevalence of these diseases and other enteric parasitic infections.
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PMID:Parasitic diseases. Diseases associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. 201 33

The knowledge and opinions of health professionals of Botucatu about the frequency and severity of thirteen symptoms and signs of diseases were studied with a view to comparing then with the opinions of Botucatu's urban population. Four hundred and thirty-five active health professionals (physicians, nurses, nurse aides, health workers (orderlies) and others were interviewed. Most of them were women, with ages ranging from 25 to 44. The health workers (orderlies) were the most numerous category. In general, the last five symptoms included in the form: bloody sputum, vaginal bleeding, breast lump, seizures and bloody urine, were considered less frequent and more serious as compared with the first eight symptoms: shortness of breath, fever, weakness, back pain (backache), chest pain, headache, cough and diarrhoea. Among the categories, the physicians differed from the other categories in less frequently attributing high scores to frequency and severity. The clinicians gave more value to these two factors than the surgeons for almost all symptoms. The comparison with the opinions of the laymen interviewed showed similar tendencies although the laymen regarded frequency and severity as more significant.
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PMID:[Analysis of health and life conditions of the urban population of Botucatu, SP (Brazil). III. Knowledge and opinions of health professionals about symptoms of diseases, 1984]. 209 96

We performed a 5-year review of 40 patients less than or equal to 30 days of age with viral pneumonia. Isolates included respiratory syncytial virus (55%), enteroviruses (15%), rhinoviruses (15%), adenoviruses (10%), parainfluenza virus (7.5%) and herpes simplex virus (5%). Most infants were previously healthy but had ill family members. Nine were born at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Symptoms and signs included tachypnea, decreased feeding, cough, cyanosis, lethargy, retractions, apnea, bradycardia, seizures and depressed consciousness. Seasonality and clinical features, but not radiographic patterns, suggested specific pathogens. Patients were moderately to severely ill. The median duration of hospitalization was 7 days; therapies administered included oxygen (90%), mechanical ventilation (45%), blood transfusions (25%) and supplemental oxygen after discharge (27%). The case fatality rate was 7.5%. Prematurity, ill appearance at presentation, lobar consolidation and adenovirus infection were risk factors for severe disease.
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PMID:Viral pneumonia in the first month of life. 217 40

Promethazine, available by prescription only since its introduction in 1946, has been widely used for pediatric patients because of its antihistaminic, antiemetic, and sedative properties. Recently, it's makers have sought Federal Drug Administration approval to introduce two liquid over the counter allergy/cold/cough products containing promethazine as an active ingredient. Although millions of doses have been administered, promethazine use has not been free of risk. Promethazine has been reported to cause significant sedation, agitation, hallucinations, seizures, dystonic reactions, and possibly apparent life-threatening events or sudden infant death syndrome. The impact of these relatively uncommon adverse reactions on children would be minimal if parents would use over the counter promethazine only for appropriate indications and only in children greater than 2 years of age. However, according to results of research evaluating the use of various over the counter medications by families for their children, promethazine will be used inappropriately. Both its over the counter status, implying a certain margin of safety, and its formulation as a syrup, providing ease of administration, should increase its use in all age groups including that by children less than 2 years of age who may be most vulnerable to the adverse reactions associated with the drug's use.
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PMID:Should promethazine in liquid form be available without prescription? 189 7

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is contained in about 106 products, over half of which are available over-the-counter (OTC). Most are cough/cold remedies; nine are OTC diet aids. More than nine million Americans were using OTC diet aids in 1981, making PPA the fifth most used drug in the United States, responsible for over $200 million in revenues. The safety of PPA remains controversial. Although most controlled studies indicate minimal pressor effects with recommended doses, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) continue to be documented. Since 1965, 142 ADRs have been reported in 85 studies, 69% of these in North America. Many such cases may go unrecognized. About two thirds of all ADRs occurred in females and in patients under 30. Of ADRs attributed to legitimately sold PPA products, 85% occurred after consumption of OTC products versus only 15% after prescription drugs. The PPA product often contained combination ingredients, or PPA was consumed along with additional drugs. An overdose of PPA was taken in about a third of the cases. After ingestion of non-overdose amounts, 82% of the ADRs were severe. The most frequent side effects involved symptoms compatible with acute hypertension, with severe headache the most common complaint. Twenty-four intracranial hemorrhages, eight seizures, and eight deaths (most due to stroke) were associated with PPA ingestion. We have summarized these data in an effort to alert clinicians to the prevalence of usage of PPA products and the potential for adverse effects. In patients who present with elevated blood pressure or signs of acute hypertension, especially hypertensive encephalopathy of undetermined origin, we recommend inquiry about recent ingestion of PPA-containing diet aids and cough/cold products and suggest having such patients remain upright rather than supine.
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PMID:Adverse drug effects attributed to phenylpropanolamine: a review of 142 case reports. 220 Feb 64

Monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and efforts to keep the ICP below the critical level are vital in the treatment of Reye's syndrome. Continuous monitoring of ICP was carried out in 21 cases of Reye's syndrome who were at or beyond stage III at the time of admission to the Veterans General Hospital, between January 1981 and August 1986. Seventeen had ICP ranging from 15 mmHg to 67 mmHg. Three patients died, 1 in stage V with an ICP of 67 mmHg received a craniectomy, and 2 others were in stage IV with ICP's of 66 mmHg and 25 mmHg, respectively. The fatality rate was 14% (3/21). Among 18 patients, 5 had moderate psychomotor retardation (PMR), 4 had severe PMR and 2 had mild PMR. The remaining 7 patients survived without sequelae. Blood exchange transfusion could further reduce ICP and seemed to improve neurologic outcome. Blood ammonia higher than 400 micrograms% is indicative of a bad prognosis. Hyperventilation was the most rapid and effective means of reducing moderate degrees of increased ICP. During intensive supportive care, we also found that coughing, endotracheal intubation, seizures, asynchronous respiration to an artificial respirator, suction of the airway and any painful stimulation caused further increases in ICP and worsened the situation. Care should be given to avoid these factors.
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PMID:Continuous monitoring of intracranial pressure in Reye's syndrome--5 years experience. 228 26

An 81-year-old woman had chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. On day 3 she had hematuria and was treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. On day 5 she had a cough, hypotension, anemia, azotemia, and elevated hepatic enzyme levels. Her condition deteriorated with thrombocytopenia, anuria requiring dialysis, edema, and hypoalbuminemia. Treatment with chloramphenicol and doxycycline was started on day 10. By day 11, she was in hypotensive shock; on day 12 she had seizures and died. Murine typhus was diagnosed by demonstration of antibodies to Rickettsia typhi by indirect immunofluorescence. Necropsy revealed interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary edema, hyaline membranes, alveolar hemorrhages, petechiae and vasculitis in the central nervous system, interstitial myocarditis, multifocal interstitial nephritis and hemorrhages, splenomegaly, portal triaditis, and mucosal hemorrhages in urinary tract. Immunofluorescent R. typhi were demonstrated in the lungs, brain, kidneys, liver, and heart. This unusual death occurred in an elderly patient without rash who was treated too late with antirickettsial drugs.
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PMID:Histopathology and immunohistologic demonstration of the distribution of Rickettsia typhi in fatal murine typhus. 249 81

Pertussis (whooping cough) is an acute respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. It occurs worldwide and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in areas where immunization rates are low, particularly among children less than 1 year of age. The characteristic presentation of pertussis is paroxysmal coughing followed by a long inspiratory effort that produces the classic whoop. Lymphocytosis is frequently present. Complications include pneumonia and seizures secondary to hypoxia. The paroxysmal and convalescent stages of the illness can each last several weeks. Transmission occurs readily by respiratory droplets, and atypical or mild cases in older children and adults can be important in spread of the infection. Isolation, early erythromycin therapy, and erythromycin prophylaxis can reduce transmission, but vaccination is the primary means of control. An inactivated whole cell suspension of the bacterium has been an effective vaccine for protecting against pertussis since the 1950s, but whole cell vaccine may allow mild infections to occur and has been associated with local and systemic reactions that have eroded public acceptance. Component or acellular pertussis vaccines that are less reactogenic have been in use in Japan since 1981 and appear to be effective there. Development of an acellular preparation that is equally or more efficacious than whole cell vaccine may be possible, but clinical trials for measurement of protection against pertussis are difficult and trials with new pertussis vaccines will have to be carefully performed to avoid the controversies generated by earlier trials.
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PMID:Prevention of pertussis. 256 May 81

One hundred epileptic patients were questioned about their headaches. Post-ictal headaches occurred in 51 of these patients and most commonly lasted 6-72 hours. Major seizures were more often associated with post-epileptic headaches than minor attacks. Nine patients in this series of 100 also had migraine: in eight of these nine a typical, albeit a mild, migraine attack was provoked by fits. The post-ictal headache in the 40 epileptics who did not have migraine was accompanied by vomiting in 11 cases, photophobia in 14 cases and vomiting with photophobia in 4 cases. Furthermore, post-epileptic headache was accentuated by coughing, bending and sudden head movements and relieved by sleep. It is, therefore, clear that seizures provoke a syndrome similar to the headache phase of migraine in 50% of epileptics. It is proposed that post-epileptic headache arises intracranially and is related to the vasodilatation known to follow seizures. The relationship of post-epileptic headache to migraine is discussed in the light of current ideas on migraine pathogenesis, in particular the vasodilation which accompanies Leao's spreading cortical depression.
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PMID:Post-epileptic headache and migraine. 311 78


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