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A COMFORTABLE CLAVICULAR BRACE
1364 A COMFORTABLE CLAVICULAR BRACE SIR,-Patients with fractured clavicles often find the tieknot securing the shoulder rings uncomfortable in the middle of their back. The clavicular support illustrated in the accompanying figure was made for a patient with fractured left clavicle, and subluxation of the right acromioclavicular joint.
The fact that the incidence and recurrence rates of these defects in White Brazilian populations of low socioeconomic levels are similar to those observed in developed countries seems to suggest that adverse exogenous factors prevalent among pregnant women of low social status (such as deficient food and clothing, hard work, and little or no medical assistance) are not important in the aetiology of the palatolabial defects. Our data on recurrence among Mulattoes and Negroes seem to be the first ones to have been reported. A full analysis of our findings will be presented later; This project is supported by grants from the National Research Council of Brazil, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Research Council of our
university.
Laboratory of Human Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
BENTO ARCE J. B. C. AZEVEDO N. FREIRE-MAIA ELEIDI A. CHAUTARD.
THE E.S.R. SIR,-Iread with interest your annotation (Oct. 14, p. 817). As you point out, estimation of the erythrocyte-sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) is simple and valuable in screening large population groups. Living in a hot country, where the average summerday temperature in the shade is about 45°C (113°F), I should like to comment on the effect of heat on this test. Prof.
Clavicular support
showing position of braces.
The padded rings were drawn together posteriorly by two front elastic trouser-braces, which were fully extended when the rings were threaded into place over the patient’s arms, and then tightened to the desired tension (as one shortens trouser-braces). The patient was able to sit in a chair or lie semi-recumbent with his back against pillows in bed with no discomfort whatsoever. The cost-old braces were usedwas
trifling.
I wish to thank Mr. R. P. J. King for making this device, and Mr. A. K. Willmington for drawing it.
SELWYN SELWYN-CLARKE.
CLEFT LIP AND PALATE SIR,-We have investigated the incidence and recurrence rates of palatolabial defects in Brazilian populations from middle to low socioeconomic levels. The incidence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (c.L. _C.P.) among 35,320 White live and stillbirths was found to be 0-8 ±0-2 per thousand; among 33,263 Mulattoes and Negroes it was 0.7 O.l per thousand. With normal parents the recurrence risk for sibs was found to be around 4% in the White fraction of the population, and nil in Mulattoes and Negroes. These values are not statistically different. Among Whites, familial C.L.icC.P. showed a recurrence-rate of 7°o,aa risk not statistically different from that for non-familial C.L.JzC.P. (3%), however. Consanguineous marriages were more common among the parents of affected children than in the general population, but again this difference was not statistically significant. Both among Whites, and Mulattoes and Negroes, the number of abnormal equivalents per gamete (B-0-01) did not differ significantly from zero. The estimate of A (the damage in a random-mating population) was found to be 0-0007-i.e., B/A - 14. Our findings, as analysed by Newcombe’s method,! agree with the hypothesis of multifactorial inheritance first suggested by Roberts.2 H. B. in Second International Conference on Congenital (compiled and edited by The International Medical Congress, Ltd.); p. 345. New York, 1964. 2. Roberts, J. A. F. in Methodology in Human Genetics (edited by Walter J. Burdette); p. 129, San Francisco, 1962. 1.
Newcombe,
Malformations
Correction chart for effect of temperature
on
the E.S.R.
To correct for temperature find the junction of the lines of the observed E.S.R. and the actual room temperature, then follow the appropriate line down to the point where it cuts the 18°C vertical line.
The fact that the incidence and recurrence rates of these defects in White Brazilian populations of low socioeconomic levels are similar to those observed in developed countries seems to suggest that adverse exogenous factors prevalent among pregnant women of low social status (such as deficient food and clothing, hard work, and little or no medical assistance) are not important in the aetiology of the palatolabial defects. Our data on recurrence among Mulattoes and Negroes seem to be the first ones to have been reported. A full analysis of our findings will be presented later; This project is supported by grants from the National Research Council of Brazil, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Research Council of our
university.
Laboratory of Human Genetics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
BENTO ARCE J. B. C. AZEVEDO N. FREIRE-MAIA ELEIDI A. CHAUTARD.
THE E.S.R. SIR,-Iread with interest your annotation (Oct. 14, p. 817). As you point out, estimation of the erythrocyte-sedimentation rate (E.S.R.) is simple and valuable in screening large population groups. Living in a hot country, where the average summerday temperature in the shade is about 45°C (113°F), I should like to comment on the effect of heat on this test. Prof.
Clavicular support
showing position of braces.
The padded rings were drawn together posteriorly by two front elastic trouser-braces, which were fully extended when the rings were threaded into place over the patient’s arms, and then tightened to the desired tension (as one shortens trouser-braces). The patient was able to sit in a chair or lie semi-recumbent with his back against pillows in bed with no discomfort whatsoever. The cost-old braces were usedwas
trifling.
I wish to thank Mr. R. P. J. King for making this device, and Mr. A. K. Willmington for drawing it.
SELWYN SELWYN-CLARKE.
CLEFT LIP AND PALATE SIR,-We have investigated the incidence and recurrence rates of palatolabial defects in Brazilian populations from middle to low socioeconomic levels. The incidence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (c.L. _C.P.) among 35,320 White live and stillbirths was found to be 0-8 ±0-2 per thousand; among 33,263 Mulattoes and Negroes it was 0.7 O.l per thousand. With normal parents the recurrence risk for sibs was found to be around 4% in the White fraction of the population, and nil in Mulattoes and Negroes. These values are not statistically different. Among Whites, familial C.L.icC.P. showed a recurrence-rate of 7°o,aa risk not statistically different from that for non-familial C.L.JzC.P. (3%), however. Consanguineous marriages were more common among the parents of affected children than in the general population, but again this difference was not statistically significant. Both among Whites, and Mulattoes and Negroes, the number of abnormal equivalents per gamete (B-0-01) did not differ significantly from zero. The estimate of A (the damage in a random-mating population) was found to be 0-0007-i.e., B/A - 14. Our findings, as analysed by Newcombe’s method,! agree with the hypothesis of multifactorial inheritance first suggested by Roberts.2 H. B. in Second International Conference on Congenital (compiled and edited by The International Medical Congress, Ltd.); p. 345. New York, 1964. 2. Roberts, J. A. F. in Methodology in Human Genetics (edited by Walter J. Burdette); p. 129, San Francisco, 1962. 1.
Newcombe,
Malformations
Correction chart for effect of temperature
on
the E.S.R.
To correct for temperature find the junction of the lines of the observed E.S.R. and the actual room temperature, then follow the appropriate line down to the point where it cuts the 18°C vertical line.