Determination of opiates in serum, saliva and hair addicted persons

In the last ten years advances in analytical methods have enabled the determination of xenobiotics in alternative material such as sweat, saliva, and hair. The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method and measure the concentration of the main opiates in serum saliva and hair of subjects from a detoxification and methadone treatment programme. The analytical strategy in the presented study, based on enzymoimmunoassay screening of opiates in urine and GC/MS confirmation, meets the needs of forensic and clinical toxicology. Blood and saliva samples from thirty seven patients and hair from twenty three with a history of intravenous opiate use were collected for analysis. The ranges of morphine in serum and saliva were 0-2081 and 0-208 ng/ml respectively; corresponding concentrations of codeine were 0-580 and 0-428 ng/ml respectively. The concentration of morphine, codeine and 6-MAM in hair of addicts ranged respectively from 0-32.4, 0-12.5 and 0-2.8 ng/mg. From the clinical toxicology point of view, hair analysis is supplementary to urine, serum or saliva determination, but in drug testing at the workplace it can play a crucial role.

The influence of magnesium supplementation on magnesium and calcium concentrations in hair of children with magnesium shortage

46 children, aged 2-6 years, with decreased magnesium concentrations in hair, were studied. Magnesium supplementation consisted of Asmag preparation for 3 months and multivitamin Multi-tabs preparation (containing magnesium, but without calcium) for the following 4 months. Control studies were performed again after 7 months of treatment, i.e. 12 months after the initial measurements (the same season of the year--early spring). The results proved increases of both magnesium (from 7.74 microg/g dry mass to 11.03 microg/g dry mass) and calcium (from 159.82 mg/g dry mass to 191.60 mg/g dry mass) concentrations in hair. Increased magnesium concentrations were observed in 40 studied children (86.95 per cent). Post supplementation magnesium deficiency was found in 22 children (47.83 per cent), and four children (8.70 per cent) showed further worsening of hypomagnesemia. Increased calcium concentrations were found in 42 children (91.30 per cent), while decreased Ca levels were found in 4 children (8.70 percent). The achieved results indicate a positive influence of that form of compensation of magnesium deficiency, and suggest the need of individual selection of doses and period of Mg supplementation. The initial level of hypomagnesemia, presence of factors that might inhibit intestinal absorption, accompanying diseases that might cause decrease in magnesium concentration and other factors that might influence the total body magnesium concentration should be taken into account while designing the supplementation therapy.

The effects of magnesium physiological supplementation on hyperactivity in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Positive response to magnesium oral loading test

Children with ADHD are 'a group at risk' as far as their further emotional and social development and educational possibilities are concerned, and the consequences of the lack of an appropriate therapy appears to be serious. Some of these children do not respond to prevailing therapy methods. It is reported that dietetic factors can play a significant role in the etiology of ADHD syndrome, and magnesium deficiency can help in revealing hyperactivity in children. The aim of our work was to assess the influence of magnesium supplementation on hyperactivity in patients with ADHD. The examination comprised 50 hyperactive children, aged 7-12 years, who fulfilled DSM IV criteria for ADHD syndrome, with recognized deficiency of magnesium in the blood (blood serum and red blood cells) and in hair using atomic absorption spectroscopy. In the period of 6 months those examined regularly took magnesium preparations in a dose of about 200 mg/day. 30 of those examined with ADHD showed coexisting disorders specific to developmental age, and 20 of them showed disruptive behaviour. The control group consisted of 25 children with ADHD and magnesium deficiency, who were treated in a standard way, without magnesium preparations. 15 members of this group showed coexisting disorders specific for developmental age, and 10 members showed disruptive behaviour. Hyperactivity was assessed with the aid of psychometric scales: the Conners Rating Scale for Parents and Teachers, Wender's Scale of Behavior and the Quotient of Development to Freedom from Distractibility. In the group of children given 6 months of magnesium supplementation, independently of other mental disorders coexisting with hyperactivity, an increase in magnesium contents in hair and a significant decrease of hyperactivity of those examined has been achieved, compared to their clinical state before supplementation and compared to the control group which had not been treated with magnesium.

Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A positive influence of magnesium in the prevention and treatment of hyperactivity in children is more and more frequently raised in the literature. The aim of our work was to estimate magnesium contents in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD). The investigations comprised 116 children (94 boys and 20 girls), aged 9-12 years, with recognized ADHD. In 68 out of 116 patients examined ADHD occurred with other coexisting disorders specific to the developmental age and in the remaining 48 patients it occurred together with disruptive behaviour. Magnesium levels have been determined in blood serum, red blood cells and in hair with the aid of atomic absorption spectroscopy. Magnesium deficiency was found in 95 per cent of those examined, most frequently in hair (77.6 per cent), in red blood cells (58.6 per cent) and in blood serum (33.6 per cent) of children with ADHD. The conclusion from the investigations is that magnesium deficiency in children with ADHD occurs more frequently than in healthy children. Analysis of the material indicated the correlation between levels of magnesium and the quotient of development to freedom from distractibility.

[Levels of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and iron in hair of children and adolescents]

Hair calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and iron levels have been determined in 420 children and adolescents, aged between 5 and 18 years, and inhibiting Szczecin area. Levels of these bioelements have been assayed with atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mean magnesium and calcium levels in hair of children from Szczecin area are higher than those in other regions of the country. Magnesium, calcium and zinc levels have been the lowest in hair of children aged between 5 and 9 years, increased with the age, achieving the highest values in adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years. In a 5-year age groups, hair magnesium and calcium levels have been higher in girls than in boys.

[An assessment of infant morbidity and antibiotic therapy according to the type and course of delivery between 1983 and 1993]

A comparative analysis of single and recurrent infant morbidity according to type and course of delivery and to kind of drugs used was performed in this study. A total of 3676 infants born between 1983-1993 was examined. This group was divided into four groups according to date of delivery 1983-1984, 1985-1987, 1988-1990 and 1991-1993). A steady were in the number of spontaneous and cesearian deliveries was noticed. The number of forceps and vacuum extractor deliveries was significantly decreased. A higher morbidity was observed among infants from breech and vacuum deliveries and among those from families with numerous children. Upper respiratory tract infections and allergic dermatitis occurred most frequently. The greathy declining trend of usage for the use of antibiotics in upper respiratory tract and urinary tract infections was observed. The use of two or more antibiotics per therapy was the most common in brachial and lung infections.

[The influence of the feeding type on the concentration of trace elements in the hair of infants]

The aim of this study was to assess hair magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc levels in breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Our findings showed that concentration of the assayed macro- and trace elements, except copper, were higher in breast-fed children and declined with age, faster in formula-fed children. The frequent occurrence of magnesium deficiency indicates that pregnant women should receive magnesium supplementation.

[Deficiency of certain trace elements in children with hyperactivity]

The magnesium, zinc, copper, iron and calcium level of plasma, erythrocytes, urine and hair in 50 children aged from 4 to 13 years with hyperactivity, were examined by AAS. The average concentration of all trace elements was lower compared with the control group--healthy children from Szczecin. The highest deficit was noted in hair. Our results show that it is necessary to supplement trace elements in children with hyperactivity.

[Content of lead and cadmium in hair of children in the Szczecin population]

By the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy 135 children living in Szczecin were studied for the content of lead and cadmium in the hair. The obtained results were compared with the levels of other bioelements determined in the hair in the same children. The level of lead in the hair of the studied children was from 0.2 mcg/g to 9.5 mcg/g and was significantly lower than that reported by other authors, while the level of cadmium was not differing significantly. The highest lead concentration in the hair was found in five- and six-year-old children. In children in whom magnesium and zinc deficit was found, high level of lead was present in the hair.

[Effect of phototherapy on the frequency of the use of exchange transfusion in the treatment of neonatal jaundice]

The authors analysed an incidence of performed exchange blood transfusions at the newborn babies ward prior to and after introduction of phototherapy into practice. This analysis included the causes of jaundice in newborn. The study included the causes of jaundice in newborn. The study involved 8,937 newborn babies delivered between 1981 and 1985. Prior to phototherapy (period between January, 1981 and July, 1980), 45 blood transfusions and 9 retransfusions were performed. During the period II (between July, 1983 and December, 1985), i.e. phototherapy, 30 blood transfusions and 1 retransfusion were effected despite of the higher number of delivered babies. The obtained results have shown favourable effect of the phototherapy in jaundice of perinatal period, especially in jaundice unconnected with blood Rh factor conflict and in premature babies. Phototherapy decreased the number of performed transfusions and retransfusions.