Rectal-skin temperature difference in septicaemic newborn infants.

Serial skin (sole) and rectal temperatures were simultaneously taken from 55 healthy and 26 septicaemic newborn infants to find out prospectively whether septicaemic newborn infants have any thermoregulatory reaction to the septicaemia, and whether regular temperature measurements could help in the early diagnosis of septicaemia. The septicaemic infants were divided into three groups: the first comprised eight feverish infants, the second 11 with normal temperatures who were in relatively good clinical condition, and the third seven with normal temperatures who were in poor clinical condition. All 55 healthy babies had rectal temperatures of less than 37.

Serum levels of retinol, retinol-binding protein, carotenoids and triglycerides in children with beta-thalassemia major.

Levels of retinol (vitamin A), carotenoids and triglycerides in the serum of 50 children with homozygous beta-thalassemia have been studied, as well as the ability of the small intestine to absorb a test meal containing retinol palmitate, triglyceride, d-xylose and glucose. On the other hand, 8 patients underwent a dark-adaptation test, and in 40 children with homozygous beta-thalassemia the levels of retinol-binding protein in the serum were estimated. The mean levels of retinol, carotenoids and triglycerides in the serum of the patients were: 23 +/- 4.