Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Respiratory distress syndrome is a serious complication of prematurity causing significant immediate and long-term mortality and morbidity. ⋯ Corticosteroids given prior to preterm birth (as a result of either preterm labour or elective preterm delivery) are effective in preventing respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal mortality. However there is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of repeated doses of corticosteroids in women who remain undelivered, but who are at continued risk of preterm birth.(This abstract has been prepared centrally.).
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Childhood-onset schizophrenia is schizophrenia with onset prior to the age of 13 years. Although it is rare, people who suffer from schizophrenia at an early age appear to have a clinically severe form of the illness with poor long-term prognosis. Antipsychotic medication is one way of managing this rare but serious mental illness. ⋯ There are few relevant trials and, presently, there is little conclusive evidence regarding the effects of antipsychotic medication for those with early onset schizophrenia. Some benefits were identified in using the atypical antipsychotic clozapine compared with haloperidol but the benefits were offset by an increased risk of serious adverse effects. Larger, more robust, trials are required.
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The common cold is a ubiquitous short and usually mild illness for which preventive and treatment interventions have been under development since the mid-40s. As our understanding of the disease has increased, more experimental antivirals have been developed. This review attempts to draw together experimental evidence of the effects of these compounds. ⋯ There are no licensed effective antivirals for the common cold. Because prolonged intranasal administration causes a clinical picture which is not distinguishable from the common cold, interferons have no place in everyday use. Further assessment of the effects of dipyridamole, ICI 130, 685, Impulsin (palmitate) and Pleconaril in preventing the common cold should be carried out. Given the multi-agent nature of the causes of the common cold, future research efforts should focus on non virus-specific compounds.
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Although the small intestine represents 75% of the length and over 90% of the mucosal surface of the alimentary tract, it is the site of only about 2% of malignant gastrointestinal tumours. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological subtype, accounting for about 40% of all malignant small intestinal tumours. The infrequent occurrence when compared with malignancies of the stomach and colon is accompanied by non-specific clinical symptoms. The consequences are a significant delay in diagnosis and the finding of advanced, incurable disease at operation. Wide surgical resection of early lesions is the only potentially curative treatment, but it is possible only in a minority of patients. The rare nature of adenocarcinomas of the small intestine has led to a paucity of information about the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy but there are reports of overall better survival for those patients that receive combination treatment. Most chemotherapy regimens consist of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), alone or in combination with a variety of other agents like doxorubicin, cisplatin, mitomycin C, cyclophosphamide and oxaliplatin. ⋯ There is a need for high quality randomised controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy in the management of adenocarcinoma of the small intestine.
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Supportive relationships during the perinatal period may enhance a mother's feeling of wellbeing and control. Support to women during labour and after birth has shown benefits and this may also be the case for mothers with postpartum depression. ⋯ There is some indication that professional and/or social support may help in the treatment of postpartum depression. The types of support should be investigated to assess which models are most effective.