Working With Parents Through a Devastating Experience-The Birth of a Mongoloid Child

The author believes that professional advice given the parents of a mongoloid infant determines their initial decision on institutionalization. Multidisciplinary counseling by the health team can help parents decide on a course of action that will prove satisfactory in the long run. Consultation should include health t e r n efforts to help parents work through the mourning process and presentation of a) an objective, comprehensive view of the child's condition, b) information on integrating a mongoloid into the family unit, and c) outside resources available to the parents. Deliberation with the parents to help them reach their own decision is essential.     

Difficulties in Immunohaematology : The Weak D Antigen

Background

The Rh blood system is one of the most polymorphic and immunogenic systems known to humans. The expression of Rh blood group antigen is complex. The Rh D antigen is the most important of the antigens that constitute the Rh antigen system. In most cases, D antigen can easily be detected. However, due to variability of expression, weak forms antigen are encountered. The reactivity of weak D with antisera is variable and presents as a problem in blood banking.

Methods

A retrospective analysis for a five-year period was done. Blood samples that were negative for Rh D by immediate spin tube method were tested for weak D antigen by additional lab tests.

Result

Of 34932 serial Rh grouping tests done in our Blood Bank, the incidence of weak D Rh antigen was 0.189%. All these were confirmed by the antiglobulin test.

Conclusion

These patients present as a problem for the blood banker and a curiosity to the clinician. Although uncommon, all health care workers should be aware of this entity to avoid anti D alloimmunisation.Key Words: Weak D, Rh Blood Group     

The subjective experience of people with severe mental illness: a potentially crucial piece of the puzzle

Over the last two decades there has been growing interest in the subjective experiences of persons with severe mental illness (SMI). Despite this interest, little research has been carried out to understand whether and how such experiences are related to the course of SMI. In addition, few psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions have been developed especially for persons with SMI that seriously take these persons' subjective experiences into account. In the present paper we discuss why the use and investigation of the subjective experience of people with SMI has been neglected, and we point out the potential importance of this experience. We then review the growing literature that focuses on the subjective experience of (1) the illness, (2) the self, and (3) the self as influenced by the social context of persons with SMI. Finally, the implications of this review for rehabilitation, recovery and research are discussed.