ALPHA-METHYLDOPA (a-methyl-3,4-di-IA hydroxy-L-phenylalanine [Aldomet]

Forty children with the fetal alcohol syndrome were identified in the west of Scotland. All were growth retarded and had abnormal facial features, and all those who were tested were found to have nuerological or developmental abnormalities. Two children died of associated physical defects. Most of the mothers were socially deprived, and all had drunk heavily while pregnant. Three women had subsequently died.These findings provide clear evidence that in the west of Scotland maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children.

No abstract

The results reported below were obtained on two groups of subjects, Group I in Western Holland in 1945 and Group I1 in the British Zone of Germany in 1946.Among the objects of the Dutch investigation was the determination of the calorieand protein-intake levels which would secure optimum nitrogen retention and rapid increase in weight in severely undernourished patients. The later work in Germany had as one of its objects the determination of the calorie and protein-nitrogen intakes necessary to secure nitrogenous equilibrium in subjects who were considerably wasted. They had lived on diets low in calories and protein over a period of about I year and were in slight negative nitrogen balance when first observed. METHODSThe calorie and nitrogen contents of the daily intakes were estimated from food tables; for foodstuffs of British origin McCance & Widdowson's (1942) tables were used.These were supplemented by values given by the Council of British Societies for Relief Abroad (1945) which contained more up-to-date information on wartime foods and especially on those of American origin.