The concept that periodontal disease might influence systemic health is not new. Miller originally published his “focal infection theory” in 1891,1 suggesting that “microorganisms or their waste products obtain entrance of parts of the body adjacent to or remote from the mouth.” Miller and subsequent proponents of the focal infection theory2-4 blamed oral foci of infection for a number of regio...

The timing of immunisations for preterm infants is controversial. Because of the statement by the British Paediatric Association/Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation Liaison group that immunisations should normally begin three months after the date of birth, the records of all infants born in 1984 and currently (June 1986) resident in the London Borough of Newham were studied to find...

The study was conducted to compare growth status, blood pressure, self esteem and intelligence of 200 low birthweight (LBW) and 224 normal birthweight (NBW) adolescents at 13 years of age. Intelligence scores at or below the 25th percentile (low performance) were observed among 51.4% LBW and 41.7% NBW adolescents (<0.05). Statistically significant lower scores for self esteem (mean difference 4...

Appleyard, W. J., and Cottom, D. G. (1970). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 45, 705. Effect of asphyxia on thrombotest values in low birthweight infants. Thrombotest was used as a measure of coagulation status in 55 low birthweight infants. The initial levels were similar in both babies who were asphyxiated at birth and in those who had uncomplicated deliveries. On the other hand, 24 hours af...