Singap Med J
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Comparative Study
Therapeutic drug monitoring of amikacin in preterm and term infants.
Amikacin is a commonly-prescribed drug used for the empirical treatment of bacterial infections in neonates. A marked change in the pharmacokinetics of amikacin has been reported during neonatal life. Amikacin has a very narrow therapeutic range and can cause very serious side effects such as nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. The current therapeutic dose of amikacin, i.e. 15 mg/kg of body weight, may increase the risk of toxicity in preterm infants with immature renal functions. We aimed to determine the frequency of amikacin toxicity in preterm as compared to term infants by measuring its serum trough levels following the administration of the current therapeutic dose. ⋯ This study demonstrated that the current practice of amikacin treatment for bacterial infection needs to be adjusted due to unique pharmacokinetic variability in preterm infants. There is a need for regular therapeutic drug monitoring and renal function assessment in all infants receiving amikacin therapy in order to avoid nephrotoxicity.
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This study was conducted to determine the association between serum sex hormone levels and breast cancer. ⋯ There were no statistically significant findings among the premenopausal cases. In postmenopausal women, serum progesterone and testosterone levels were significantly associated positively with the odds of having breast cancer.
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The Singapore Burden of Disease (SBoD) Study 2004 provides a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the size and distribution of health problems in Singapore. It is the first local study to use disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to quantify the total disease burden. ⋯ This study provides an objective and systematic assessment of the fatal and nonfatal health conditions in Singapore to support priority setting in public health policies and research.
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Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing bronchial carcinoid tumours are a rare cause of Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome is frequently complicated by osteoporosis, which results in an increased tendency for the development of vertebral compression fractures. ⋯ A bronchial carcinoid tumour was found to be the source of excess ACTH production. Three-level percutaneous vertebroplasty resulted in a marked improvement in pain.