Articles: mortality.
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This report presents final 1997 data on U.S. deaths and death rates according to demographic and medical characteristics such as age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, educational attainment, injury at work, State of residence, and cause of death. Trends and patterns in general mortality, life expectancy, and infant and maternal mortality are also described. A previous report presented preliminary mortality data for 1997. ⋯ The overall improvements in general mortality and life expectancy in 1997 continue the long-term downward trend in U.S. mortality. The trend in U.S. infant mortality is of steady declines over the past four decades.
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Severely malnourished children have high mortality rates. Death commonly occurs during the first 48 h after hospital admission, and has been attributed to faulty case-management. We developed a standardised protocol for acute-phase treatment of children with severe malnutrition and diarrhoea, with the aim of reducing mortality. ⋯ Compared with non-protocol management, our standardised protocol resulted in fewer episodes of hypoglycaemia, less need for intravenous fluids, and a 47% reduction in mortality. This standardised protocol should be considered in all children with diarrhoea and severe malnutrition.
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To discuss the reasons why 250 ml 7.5% hypertonic saline was chosen as a pre-hospital resuscitation fluid for head injured patients in a multicentred, prospective, randomised controlled trial investigating its long term effects on central nervous system outcome. ⋯ Pre-hospital resuscitation of head injured and hypotensive trauma patients using hypertonic saline, has the potential to reduce long term cerebral injury and reduce social and financial costs to the community.
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To review the function and use of intravenous magnesium in magnesium depleted and non-magnesium depleted patients. ⋯ Magnesium is required in patients who are magnesium depleted and is also of benefit in non-magnesium depleted patients with pre-eclampsia. It may also be of benefit in non-magnesium depleted patients with acute coronary syndromes, arrhythmias, acute asthma, stroke, seizures and spinal cord injury.
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Swiss medical weekly · May 1999
Comparative Study[Development of mortality in Switzerland since 1950. I. International comparison and differences in sex, age and nationality].
All-cause mortality is an important criterion for assessing the health status and the living conditions of a population, thus indicating possible preventive measures. ⋯ In spite of low overall mortality risks, international age-specific rates suggest considerable potential for preventive measures in Switzerland. There is some evidence of substantial under-registration of the mortality risks of foreigners living in Switzerland. As foreigners represent a substantial part of the total population--with a maximum of 30% of men aged 25-34 years--figures for Switzerland as a whole may be biased seriously. Therefore, for mortality analyses and comparisons with international data, we suggest the study be restricted to Swiss citizens. When assessing mortality risks for foreigners in Switzerland alternative data sources and methods should be taken into account.