Corneal endothelial cell measurements in megalocornea

A pedigree of megalocornea manifested many of the characteristic features as well as some less common features of the disorder. Endothelial specular microscopy of affected patients disclosed normal endothelial cell densities and morphologic characteristics and increased total endothelial cell populations, suggesting a process of total corneal hyperplasia. In contrast, unpublished data indicate diminished densities in congenital glaucoma, a finding more consistent with corneal distention. We conclude that specular microscopy may be of value in differentiating the two disorders, although larger series are necessary for confirmation.     

Metastasis of malignant melanoma of the nasal mucosa to the small intestine

Malignant melanoma of the mucous membranes is rare and has a very poor prognosis. When localized in the nose, the tumor becomes apparent late in the course of the disease with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Distant metastases are uncommon, but any organ of the body can be involved. A case of a malignant melanoma of the nasal mucosa with metastasis to the small intestine is presented, and the natural history of the metastatic disease is discussed.     

Intellectual deficits after transient tyrosinemia in the term neonate

An analysis was made of the obstetric history of 1,360 patients who were delivered in 1971. It involved 3,185 pregnancies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk of spontaneous termination of the pregnancy, worked out from its demographic aspect. Several ideas are worthy of consideration. The risk of spontaneous intra-uterine death is cumulative, sharply increased by a repetition of such cessation of pregnancy. The same patients often undergo intentional abortion repeatedly. The respective risks of spontaneous and provoked interruption of pregnancy have been studied in greater detail as a function of parity.     

Survey of impaired drivers, fatally injured or surviving, who caused fatal highway accidents in Alberta in 1970-72

In 1970-72, 456 (53.4%) of 854 drivers responsible for a motor vehicle accident in which either they or other persons were killed had been drinking beforehand. Of surviving culpable drivers tested for blood alcohol concentration 81.7% were found to be legally impaired; however, only 24.8% of these drivers were tested. Because surviving culpable drivers pose a possible future hazard to highway safety it is important that data on this group be collected and analysed.     

Very low birth weight children at school age: comparison of neonatal management methods

The outcome of 293 infants born to a geographically defined community and weighing 501-1500 g was investigated. Medical intervention in the newborn period had been avoided. Morbidity was assessed at school age. Of the infants, 236 had been live born in the labour ward of this hospital; of these, 117 (49.6%) died in the neonatal period, one (0.4%) died in the first year, four (1.7%) were untraced, 13 (5.5%) had major handicap, 29 (12.3%) had minor handicap, and 72 (30.5%) were considered to be normal. In terms of survival, handicap, and intellectual with that of infants born over the same period (1963-71) in areas where intensive methods of perinatal care were used. These results imply that postnatal survival and potential of infants of very low birth weight are by no means prejudiced when only experienced nursing care is available.