Articles: intensive-care-units.
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Sep 1982
Parents' meetings in two neonatal units: a way of increasing support for parents.
For a combined total of three years meetings have been held regularly on two neonatal units for parents with infants requiring neonatal intensive care. These meetings give parents an opportunity to meet each other and members of staff in an informal atmosphere in the hope that mutual support will be gained. ⋯ The staff have gained a greater insight into the parents' anxieties and problems and changes have been made in the procedures on these units. If new insight is to result in changes that benefit the parents their views must be made known and taken into account when policy decisions are made.
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Concentrations of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol in serum and in lipoproteins were determined in two groups of intensive care patients. Group I included 17 moderately ill, postelective surgery patients, and group II, 23 critically ill patients. All were studied in an intensive care situation. ⋯ The time effect on lipoprotein changes was analyzed in 11 patients, from whom samples were drawn repeatedly during the intensive care period. A tendency was found for LDL-TG to increase and HDL-cholesterol to decrease with time. The mechanisms causing the lipoprotein changes are not presently known; however, possible explanations include liver function impairment, gastrointestinal tract paralysis, physical inactivity, the catabolic state as such, and combinations.