The role of pulse oximetry: its use as an indicator of severe respiratory disease in Peruvian children living at sea level

Article Abstract:

Pulse oximetry may be useful in developing countries for identifying children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI). Pulse oximetry measures blood oxygen content through the skin. Pulse oximeters are portable, inexpensive, and easy to use, maintain, and interpret. Researchers compared the diagnostic accuracy of pulse oximetry, a set of discriminating symptoms proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the combination of the two, and chest X-ray interpretations on 269 young Peruvian children who had been identified by hospital doctors as having acute upper (URI) or lower respiratory infections. For comparison, 162 healthy children had pulse oximetry and were evaluated for symptoms. Pulse oximetry alone identified 78% of physician-diagnosed cases of ALRI, the WHO symptoms alone identified 81% of cases, and the two together identified 94% of cases. The two together identified 87% of cases of X-ray-diagnosed pneumonia. However, substantial numbers of well children and children with URIs would also be diagnosed with ALRI.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Respiratory tract infections, Oximetry, Peruvians

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Hyperendemic pulmonary tuberculosis in a Peruvian shantytown

Article Abstract:

A study of hyperendemic pulmonary tuberculosis in a shantytown in Peru has been carried out. A multiple case ascertainment method was used to estimate the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, 1989-93. Usually estimates of incidence of this disease are based on suspect methods. Face-to-face interviewing of local inhabitants and examination of local laboratory smear records were methods used for case gathering. Average annual incidence per 100,000 population was 364. The ministry of health, which appears to mask problems with its reporting methods, had reported average annual incidence for the city in which the shantytown is situated to be 134 per 100,000.

Standards, Research, Reports, Diseases, Social policy, Political aspects, Medical research, Poverty, Tuberculosis, Disease reporting, Sociobiology, Pulmonary manifestations of general diseases, Respiratory symptoms

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Effects of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in Peruvian children: growth faltering and subsequent catch-up growth

Article Abstract:

Effects of Cryptosporidium parvum infection have been studies in Peruvian children. Data on growth faltering and subsequent catch-up growth were evaluated. The 185 children studied were aged 1-3 months when recruited. The infection had a lasting adverse effect on increase in height especially if acquired in infancy and when growth is stunted before the infection occurs.

Infection, Physiological aspects, Growth disorders, Nutrition disorders, Gastrointestinal diseases, Cryptosporidiosis, Diarrhea in children, Childhood diarrhea

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