The concept of "systolic time intervals" was introduced into noninvasive cardiologic examination by Weissler et al.; in detail these are the following data: the total electromechanical systole = QS2, the left ventricular ejection time = LVET, the preejection period = PEP and the quotient PEP/LVET. These quantities are not in principle new parameters; in the German literature the QS2 is known as "Systolendauer", the LVET is identical to the "Austreibungszeit" and the PEP is identical to the "Anspannungszeit". The determination of PEP (= QS2-LVET) is preferable to the usual calculation of the "Anspannungszeit" nach Blumberger in so far as longer time intervals must be measured and therefore the statistical error decreases. From 96 children between 3 and 15 years polygraphic tracings were recorded and the STI were calculated and standard values were ascertained and were evaluated statistically. QS2 and LVET grow longer linearly with increasing age (p less than or equal to 0.001) and diminish linearly with increasing heart rate (p less than or equal to 0.001). For PEP only the inverse correlation with the heart rate was significant. PEP/LVET does not very significantly. Girls have longer PEP (+ 6 msec, p less than or equal to 0.01) and higher PEP/LVET (+ 0.04, p less than or equal to 0.001) than boys. The normal range of variation of the STI is relatively large (QS2: 278-386 msec, LVET: 200-285 MSEC, PEP: 65-114 msec, PEP/LVET: 0.27-0.47). For the examination of individual cases it is better to compare them with the standard values ascertained by the regression equations (table 3+4).

For 219 children between 3 and 15 years with the most frequent congenital and acquired heart failures it was investigated in what way the STI differ consistently from the corresponding standard values. It was found that all the STI of children with cardiovascular diseases can vary from the normal values scaled by heart rate even in disorders of the right heart. The STI naturally have the greatest diagnostical significance in the evaluation of failures of the left heart, especially aortic stenosis (shortened PEP lengthened QS2 and LVET), and of heart partition defects (shortened LVET, prolonged PEP, normal QS2). Statistically individual groups of heart disorders can be differentiated from one another by the STI rather well.

Arterial oxygen saturation is now one of the important values in paediatries. It is not always possible to perform repeated estimations in infants and children after puncture of an artery. An apparatus that renders the determination of oxygen saturation of capillary blood possible is tested. The blood specimen is gained by prick incisions. These methods stand the statistical tests under the conditions applicable in paediatrie cases. The values are also sufficiently accurate in neonates and cyanosed children (e.g. congenital heart diseases) when certain conditions are taken into consideration. If the circulation at the site of the prick incision is poor and if the child screams vigorously, the value of the capillary oxygen saturation thus gained is not reliable. A comparison between the oxygen saturation values gained by the capillary and hemoreflectometer methods is also statistically valid, if 1 day or 2 lie between the tests. The apparatus is especially suitable in paediatrie cardiology and intensive care.

Abstract. The normal range of 8 serum enzymes was established for children, aged 3--15 years. The distinction between girls and boys was not significant. The normal values of children and adults were about the same for creatine kinase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and leucine aminopeptidase. Children have markedly higher glutamate oxalacetate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activity than adults. The y-glutamyl transpeptidase activity of children and women is identical, whereas the normal values of men are higher.

No abstract