Rodney P K Ford | University of Otago (original) (raw)

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Papers by Rodney P K Ford

Research paper thumbnail of Risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome: further change in 1992-3

Research paper thumbnail of A simple method of duodenal juice collection in association with small bowel biopsy in children

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1981

ABSTRACT. A simple method of obtaining duodenal juice in association with small bowel biopsy is d... more ABSTRACT. A simple method of obtaining duodenal juice in association with small bowel biopsy is described. A conventional adult feeding tube is attached to the semi‐stiff biopsy capsule tubing and carried into position by the capsule. This method enables several millilitres of duodenal fluid to be obtained in a few minutes and the biopsy to be taken with one intubation.

Research paper thumbnail of P0505 Does Goat Milk Formula Have a Place in the Management of Children with Cow Milk Allergy?

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep position and SIDS in New Zealand: An explanation for the North-South gradient of Mortality

Research paper thumbnail of Public health policy on bed sharing in the sudden infant death syndrome

The New Zealand medical journal

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Risk factors for preterm birth: a New Zealand study

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 23, 1998

To identify risk factors for preterm birth. A cross sectional study. The study population was 180... more To identify risk factors for preterm birth. A cross sectional study. The study population was 1800 infants selected randomly from all babies born over a three-year period. Of these, 85 (4.8%) were classified preterm (less than 37 completed weeks gestation). Data were collected from obstetric records and parental interviews. Risk factors associated with an increased risk of preterm birth after controlling for potential confounders included smoking during pregnancy (adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3, 5.4), and multiple birth (adjusted RR = 48.8, 95% CI = 18.1, 131.4). Urinary tract infection was significant at the 7% level (adjusted RR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0, 5.6). Alcohol intake in third trimester was associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth (adjusted RR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.7). Maternal smoking and multiple births were the most important modifiable risk factors in this study for preterm birth and may contribute to 17% and 11% of preterm birt...

Research paper thumbnail of Postneonatal mortality in south New Zealand: necropsy data review

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 1989

Research paper thumbnail of Further evidence supporting a causal relationship between prone sleeping position and SIDS

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1992

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

International Journal of Epidemiology, 1993

The New Zealand Cot Death Study, a multicentre case-control study, was set up to identify risk fa... more The New Zealand Cot Death Study, a multicentre case-control study, was set up to identify risk factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the 3 years of the study there were 485 infant deaths classified as SIDS in the study areas and 1800 infants who were randomly selected as controls. Data were collected by parent interviews and from obstetric notes. A full set of data for this analysis was available from 356 cases and 1529 control infants. The relationship between length of any breastfeeding and SIDS was examined: 92% of the controls were initially breastfed compared to 86% of the cases. As time went by, cases stopped breastfeeding sooner than controls: by 13 weeks, 67% controls were breastfed versus 49% cases. A reduced risk for SIDS in breastfed infants persisted during the first 6 months after controlling for confounding demographic, maternal and infant factors. Infants exclusively breastfed 'at discharge from the obstetric hospital' (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.71) and during the last 2 days (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.91) had a significantly lower risk of SIDS than infants not breastfed after controlling for potential confounders. We have shown a substantial association of breastfeeding with a lowered risk for SIDS. This supports the need for more positive promotion and active community support to further enhance the level and length of exclusive breastfeeding.

Research paper thumbnail of Growth velocity before sudden infant death

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1990

Research paper thumbnail of Medical care and SIDS

Research paper thumbnail of Food allergies in children: common but overlooked

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 17, 2010

that there is burgeoning scientific knowledge about food allergy; 3 but despite this, strong medi... more that there is burgeoning scientific knowledge about food allergy; 3 but despite this, strong medical scepticism persists about the existence of illness caused by food allergy. 4 They wrote: “Some medical practitioners remain sceptical about the role of food allergies in a number of clinical syndromes, such as atopic dermatitis, colic and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infancy, despite an increasing body of evidence that food allergy can contribute to these conditions.”

Research paper thumbnail of Weather and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: the effect of wind

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Infant feeding patterns in Canterbury

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 22, 1995

To examine infant feeding patterns during the first 6 months of life in Canterbury. A random samp... more To examine infant feeding patterns during the first 6 months of life in Canterbury. A random sample of 10% of all births over a 12 month period in Canterbury was taken from birth notifications (n = 520). Information on the type of feeding was recorded prospectively at three time periods and extracted from available Plunket nursing notes. The participation rate was 81%. Data from nonparticipants on the method of feeding at discharge was obtained from obstetric records. Overall, 90.7% were breastfed at discharge. There was no difference between breastfeeding rates of the participants (91%) compared to the nonparticipants. For participants, 88% were exclusively breastfed at discharge which steadily declined to 36% at 24 weeks. However, some breastmilk was still being given to 70% at 24 weeks. Breastfeeding rates are good in comparison to other nations. However, there is room for improvement particularly maintaining exclusive breastfeeding to at least four months. This could be stimulat...

Research paper thumbnail of Cot deaths in Canterbury (NZ): lack of association with respiratory virus patterns

Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine, 1990

This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be ... more This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be more obvious in Canterbury where the cot death rate is so high (about seven per thousand live births). The numbers of common respiratory virus identifications for the eight year period July 1981 to June 1989 were analysed for associations with cot death. The identifications were from inpatients at the Christchurch Public Hospital and other community sources in Canterbury. Weak associations were found with respiratory syncytial virus (r = 0.3), influenza A (r = 0.3) and influenza B (r = 0.2). However, the associations are overwhelmed by the effect of the month of the year. A high rate of respiratory virus infection cannot be invoked as the explanation for our high SIDS rate.

Research paper thumbnail of Results from the first year of the New Zealand cot death study

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 27, 1991

New Zealand's high mortality rate from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prompted the d... more New Zealand's high mortality rate from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prompted the development of the New Zealand cot death study. This report of the preliminary analysis of the first year of the data gives the major identified risk factors. One hundred and sixty-two infants who died from SIDS were compared with 589 control infants, who were a representative sample of all hospital births in the study region. Obstetric records were examined and parental interviews were completed in 96% and 89% of subjects respectively. Data were available for all the variables in this study in 95% of those interviewed, thus 128 cases and 503 controls make up the subjects of this report. As expected we confirmed many risk factors for SIDS including: lower socioeconomic status, unmarried mother, young mother, younger school leaving age of mother, younger age of mother at first pregnancy, late attendance at antenatal clinic, nonattendant at antenatal classes, Maori, greater number of previo...

Research paper thumbnail of One-Hour Blood-Xylose Test in Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of body temperature on a model of the human respiratory system

Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1992

A mathematical model of the human respiratory system that is sensitive to body temperature is pre... more A mathematical model of the human respiratory system that is sensitive to body temperature is presented. The model has been developed as an aid for investigating the link between respiratory and thermal control systems. The temperature dependence of the respiratory system in this model is a result of the sensitivity of the respiratory controller, blood dissociation, blood flows, and metabolic

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of possibly preventable death: a case-control study of postneonatal mortality in southern New Zealand

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 1990

Research paper thumbnail of Cot deaths in Canterbury (NZ): lack of association with respiratory virus patterns

Internal Medicine Journal - INTERN MED J, 1990

This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be ... more This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be more obvious in Canterbury where the cot death rate is so high (about seven per thousand live births). The numbers of common respiratory virus identifications for the eight year period July 1981 to June 1989 were analysed for associations with cot death. The identifications were from inpatients at the Christchurch Public Hospital and other community sources in Canterbury. Weak associations were found with respiratory syncytial virus (r = 0.3), influenza A (r = 0.3) and influenza B (r = 0.2). However, the associations are overwhelmed by the effect of the month of the year. A high rate of respiratory virus infection cannot be invoked as the explanation for our high SIDS rate.

Research paper thumbnail of Risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome: further change in 1992-3

Research paper thumbnail of A simple method of duodenal juice collection in association with small bowel biopsy in children

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1981

ABSTRACT. A simple method of obtaining duodenal juice in association with small bowel biopsy is d... more ABSTRACT. A simple method of obtaining duodenal juice in association with small bowel biopsy is described. A conventional adult feeding tube is attached to the semi‐stiff biopsy capsule tubing and carried into position by the capsule. This method enables several millilitres of duodenal fluid to be obtained in a few minutes and the biopsy to be taken with one intubation.

Research paper thumbnail of P0505 Does Goat Milk Formula Have a Place in the Management of Children with Cow Milk Allergy?

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2004

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep position and SIDS in New Zealand: An explanation for the North-South gradient of Mortality

Research paper thumbnail of Public health policy on bed sharing in the sudden infant death syndrome

The New Zealand medical journal

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Risk factors for preterm birth: a New Zealand study

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 23, 1998

To identify risk factors for preterm birth. A cross sectional study. The study population was 180... more To identify risk factors for preterm birth. A cross sectional study. The study population was 1800 infants selected randomly from all babies born over a three-year period. Of these, 85 (4.8%) were classified preterm (less than 37 completed weeks gestation). Data were collected from obstetric records and parental interviews. Risk factors associated with an increased risk of preterm birth after controlling for potential confounders included smoking during pregnancy (adjusted relative risk (RR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3, 5.4), and multiple birth (adjusted RR = 48.8, 95% CI = 18.1, 131.4). Urinary tract infection was significant at the 7% level (adjusted RR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0, 5.6). Alcohol intake in third trimester was associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth (adjusted RR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.7). Maternal smoking and multiple births were the most important modifiable risk factors in this study for preterm birth and may contribute to 17% and 11% of preterm birt...

Research paper thumbnail of Postneonatal mortality in south New Zealand: necropsy data review

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 1989

Research paper thumbnail of Further evidence supporting a causal relationship between prone sleeping position and SIDS

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 1992

Research paper thumbnail of Breastfeeding and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

International Journal of Epidemiology, 1993

The New Zealand Cot Death Study, a multicentre case-control study, was set up to identify risk fa... more The New Zealand Cot Death Study, a multicentre case-control study, was set up to identify risk factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In the 3 years of the study there were 485 infant deaths classified as SIDS in the study areas and 1800 infants who were randomly selected as controls. Data were collected by parent interviews and from obstetric notes. A full set of data for this analysis was available from 356 cases and 1529 control infants. The relationship between length of any breastfeeding and SIDS was examined: 92% of the controls were initially breastfed compared to 86% of the cases. As time went by, cases stopped breastfeeding sooner than controls: by 13 weeks, 67% controls were breastfed versus 49% cases. A reduced risk for SIDS in breastfed infants persisted during the first 6 months after controlling for confounding demographic, maternal and infant factors. Infants exclusively breastfed 'at discharge from the obstetric hospital' (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.71) and during the last 2 days (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.91) had a significantly lower risk of SIDS than infants not breastfed after controlling for potential confounders. We have shown a substantial association of breastfeeding with a lowered risk for SIDS. This supports the need for more positive promotion and active community support to further enhance the level and length of exclusive breastfeeding.

Research paper thumbnail of Growth velocity before sudden infant death

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1990

Research paper thumbnail of Medical care and SIDS

Research paper thumbnail of Food allergies in children: common but overlooked

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 17, 2010

that there is burgeoning scientific knowledge about food allergy; 3 but despite this, strong medi... more that there is burgeoning scientific knowledge about food allergy; 3 but despite this, strong medical scepticism persists about the existence of illness caused by food allergy. 4 They wrote: “Some medical practitioners remain sceptical about the role of food allergies in a number of clinical syndromes, such as atopic dermatitis, colic and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infancy, despite an increasing body of evidence that food allergy can contribute to these conditions.”

Research paper thumbnail of Weather and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: the effect of wind

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2000

Research paper thumbnail of Infant feeding patterns in Canterbury

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 22, 1995

To examine infant feeding patterns during the first 6 months of life in Canterbury. A random samp... more To examine infant feeding patterns during the first 6 months of life in Canterbury. A random sample of 10% of all births over a 12 month period in Canterbury was taken from birth notifications (n = 520). Information on the type of feeding was recorded prospectively at three time periods and extracted from available Plunket nursing notes. The participation rate was 81%. Data from nonparticipants on the method of feeding at discharge was obtained from obstetric records. Overall, 90.7% were breastfed at discharge. There was no difference between breastfeeding rates of the participants (91%) compared to the nonparticipants. For participants, 88% were exclusively breastfed at discharge which steadily declined to 36% at 24 weeks. However, some breastmilk was still being given to 70% at 24 weeks. Breastfeeding rates are good in comparison to other nations. However, there is room for improvement particularly maintaining exclusive breastfeeding to at least four months. This could be stimulat...

Research paper thumbnail of Cot deaths in Canterbury (NZ): lack of association with respiratory virus patterns

Australian and New Zealand journal of medicine, 1990

This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be ... more This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be more obvious in Canterbury where the cot death rate is so high (about seven per thousand live births). The numbers of common respiratory virus identifications for the eight year period July 1981 to June 1989 were analysed for associations with cot death. The identifications were from inpatients at the Christchurch Public Hospital and other community sources in Canterbury. Weak associations were found with respiratory syncytial virus (r = 0.3), influenza A (r = 0.3) and influenza B (r = 0.2). However, the associations are overwhelmed by the effect of the month of the year. A high rate of respiratory virus infection cannot be invoked as the explanation for our high SIDS rate.

Research paper thumbnail of Results from the first year of the New Zealand cot death study

The New Zealand medical journal, Jan 27, 1991

New Zealand's high mortality rate from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prompted the d... more New Zealand's high mortality rate from the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prompted the development of the New Zealand cot death study. This report of the preliminary analysis of the first year of the data gives the major identified risk factors. One hundred and sixty-two infants who died from SIDS were compared with 589 control infants, who were a representative sample of all hospital births in the study region. Obstetric records were examined and parental interviews were completed in 96% and 89% of subjects respectively. Data were available for all the variables in this study in 95% of those interviewed, thus 128 cases and 503 controls make up the subjects of this report. As expected we confirmed many risk factors for SIDS including: lower socioeconomic status, unmarried mother, young mother, younger school leaving age of mother, younger age of mother at first pregnancy, late attendance at antenatal clinic, nonattendant at antenatal classes, Maori, greater number of previo...

Research paper thumbnail of One-Hour Blood-Xylose Test in Cow's Milk Protein Intolerance

Research paper thumbnail of The influence of body temperature on a model of the human respiratory system

Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1992

A mathematical model of the human respiratory system that is sensitive to body temperature is pre... more A mathematical model of the human respiratory system that is sensitive to body temperature is presented. The model has been developed as an aid for investigating the link between respiratory and thermal control systems. The temperature dependence of the respiratory system in this model is a result of the sensitivity of the respiratory controller, blood dissociation, blood flows, and metabolic

Research paper thumbnail of Prediction of possibly preventable death: a case-control study of postneonatal mortality in southern New Zealand

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 1990

Research paper thumbnail of Cot deaths in Canterbury (NZ): lack of association with respiratory virus patterns

Internal Medicine Journal - INTERN MED J, 1990

This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be ... more This study was done to see whether any association between SIDS and respiratory viruses might be more obvious in Canterbury where the cot death rate is so high (about seven per thousand live births). The numbers of common respiratory virus identifications for the eight year period July 1981 to June 1989 were analysed for associations with cot death. The identifications were from inpatients at the Christchurch Public Hospital and other community sources in Canterbury. Weak associations were found with respiratory syncytial virus (r = 0.3), influenza A (r = 0.3) and influenza B (r = 0.2). However, the associations are overwhelmed by the effect of the month of the year. A high rate of respiratory virus infection cannot be invoked as the explanation for our high SIDS rate.