International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine - Volume 13, issue 4

Article Type: Other

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 199-200, 2000

Article Type: Other

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 201-202, 2000

Authors: Baldwin, Steve

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One hundred UK families of children/teenagers diagnosed with ADHD were included in an audit survey of service provision. The impact was examined of a mass media public education campaign about ADHD and the use of methylphenidate. Short, medium and long‐term effects of MPH prescription to young children and teenagers was also investigated. It was observed that parents agreed to MPH prescription, when there were few other non‐drug treatments available. The clinical and health risks of MPH ingestion by minors were examined, as well as problems of drug regulation in schools.

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 203-219, 2000

Authors: Grech, Victor | Vella, Catherine C. | Vassallo‐Agius, P. | Savona‐Ventura, Charles

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective. In a previous study, we showed that the ratio of gender at birth (M/F ratio) appeared to vary by latitude. We postulate that meteorological factors may be responsible for this variation. In this study, M/F ratio in a central Mediterranean island were correlated to latitude dependent meteorological factors. Design. The 1957–1998 live birth monthly sex ratios in Malta were correlated with mean monthly temperatures and mean monthly bright sunshine hours. Results. A positive but not statistically significant correlation was found between M/F ratios and mean monthly temperatures and sunshine hours even over the narrow range of meteorological …values investigated. Conclusions. While no significant trends could be confirmed, the results suggest that M/F ratios may be linked to meteorological factors influenced by latitude. Further studies in countries with a wider mean monthly meteorological value range may confirm or exclude this hypothesis. Show more

Keywords: Sex ratio, meteorological factors

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 221-224, 2000

Authors: Weiss, S. | Sharan, H. | Merlob, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The article describes a study among all 2,477 pregnant women, who gave birth in Rabin Medical Center during November 1999–April 2000. Its purposes were to identify the scope of alcohol use during pregnancy, and check children prenatally exposed to alcohol (daily drinking/binge drinking) for possible alcohol effects. Upon arrival, the women were given the hospital non‐anonymous admission questionnaire, which included socio‐demographic and obstetric variables. Three questions related to cigarette smoking during pregnancy, alcohol use during pregnancy and alcohol use in the family were added. Those who drank were given another questionnaire, which included a question concerning the preferred type of …alcoholic beverage, the TWEAK questionnaire, and three questions related to the frequency of drinking, the typical amounts consumed and the highest consumption level in each trimester. Relatively high rates of amnio centesis (26.52%), maternal‐serum alpha‐feto protein examination (72.22%), screening ultrasound (98.34%) and targeted ultrasound (27.77%) were found, and 8.8% reported smoking. However, in the light of the results of self‐report maternal alcohol use studies in various countries, and the fact that half of the Israeli women 18–40‐year‐old drink alcohol, the article tries to explain the reasons for the results obtained in the current study: abstinence among pregnant women (1.13% reported alcohol drinking during pregnancy) and nonexistence of alcohol drinking in the family (0.84% reported drinking by a family member), and suggests recommendations for future research. Show more

Keywords: Fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol, pregnancy, Israel

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 225-232, 2000

Authors: Levi, N. | Gebuhr, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The reported incidence of dislocation of a hip hemiarthroplasty varies from less than 1 to 10%. A suggested advantage of the bipolar design is improved stability of the prosthesis and resistance to dislocation. However, this proposed decreased rate of dislocation has been challenged. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the dislocation rate after bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip. A posterolateral approach was used for 197 consecutive bipolar hemiarthroplasty operations for subcapital femoral neck fractures. There were 164 women and 33 men, the average age being more than 80. A total of 11 bipolar hemiarthroplaties (1 in …men and 10 in women) dislocated. The 6‐months dislocation rate was 1/33=3% for men and 10/164=6.1% for women. The overall 6‐months dislocation rate was therefore 11/197=5.6%. The average delay between the operation and the dislocation was 5 weeks (range 2 days to 6 months). We are uncertain whether the high frequency of dislocation in our series is related to surgical technique, patient population or prosthesis type. However, a review of the literature seems to suggest a significant correlation between the age of the patients and the dislocation rate. Show more

Keywords: Hemiarthroplasty, hip, dislocation, luxation, fracture

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 233-236, 2000

Article Type: Book Review

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 237-238, 2000

Article Type: Other

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 239-240, 2000