The New Zealand medical journal
-
A survey of 1826 women in the Wellington region was carried out. Participants were asked about their general and gynaecological health, as well as detailed questions about their last menstrual cycle. The majority (1456) had had a menstrual period within the last month or so. ⋯ Doctors offered a wide range of treatments, including vitamin B6, diuretics, oral contraceptives and mefanamic acid, but the effect of these was difficult to evaluate further. When the sample was subdivided into clusters of women who shared similar symptoms, significant differences in the effectiveness of different self help measures emerged. Four different premenstrual syndromes are suggested: PMS-breast, PMS-bloat, PMS-irritable and intolerant, and PMS-various.
-
A retrospective analysis of the pattern of admission of children to the general intensive care unit of Christchurch Hospital during the period 1980-7 inclusive, is reported. Three hundred and ninety-nine children were admitted during this period and they formed 10.7% of all admissions to the unit. ⋯ Overall mortality was 14.5%, 13% for medical conditions and 16% for those with surgical problems. These results are in keeping with those reported from overseas.