One hundred and ninety six Asian, 89 African, 96 Chinese and 98 Scottish children from 173 families were studied to assess growth in relation to country of birth, time of parental residence in Scotland, child order in family, social class, living conditions and dietary factors. The growth measurements (standardised height, weight and bone age) differed between ethnic groups. The Africans were the tallest and Scottish the shortest. In all immigrant groups, children born in Scotland were on average, taller and more advanced in bone age than those born in their country of origin. In this study, there was no demonstrable effect on growth of social class or of living conditions. Dietary variable showed a lack of coherent effects on growth.

Of 16 children with primary duodenal ulcer, 11 had complete relief of symptoms with initial full dose cimetidine therapy. After stopping cimetidine two of these 11 relapsed, six are in remission and three occasionally complain of abdominal pain requiring antacids. The remaining five children showed no improvement at all. Only one out of the 16 children showed side-effects due to cimetidine. Although there was wide variation in dosage of cimetidine and duration of therapy, no significant difference was noted in the dosage regimen of responders and non-responders to cimetidine. We suggest, full dose cimetidine 20 to 40 mg/Kg/day for 4 to 8 weeks, followed by 8 mg/Kg nocte daily for another 4 to 8 weeks.

No abstract