Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D in pregnant Asian women and their babies

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) was measured in cord blood taken at delivery and in fasting blood taken from 44 Asian mothers in the first day of the puerperium. Blood was taken from the baby 48 h after delivery. Cord-blood samples were also taken at 43 non-Asian deliveries. Plasma 25-OHD concentrations in Asians were low at delivery; in 81% of the mothers and 36% of the babies plasma 25-OHD was in the osteomalacic range. Asian lower than concentrations in non-Asian controls. 4 Asian babies had vraniotabes and 1 had neonatal tetany. 1 non-Asian baby had craniotabes. A review of 3327 deliveries in 1978 confirmed that neonatal tetany was significantly more common in Asian babies (2.3%) than in non-Asian babies (0.3%). In 44 other Asian mothers supplements of 1000 units of vitamin D daily during pregnancy significantly increased plasma-25-OHD concentrations at delivery.

Cutaneous cyptococcosis

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The effect of cerebral dominance on time sharing between speaking and tapping by preschool children

48 kindergartners tapped as fast as they could with either the right index finger or the left, either alone or while reciting or repeating verbal material. The secondary tasks diminished tapping rate on both sides, but disproportionately on the right. This result was predicted by a model that postulates greater interference between concurrent activities when both are programmed by the same cerebral hemisphere. Children appear to be more vulnerable to this type of interference than adults. This attribute of immature motor development can be used as an indicator of cerebral lateralization of function in children.

Observations on tuberculous meningitis

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