Medicina
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Obesity is one of the non-communicable chronic diseases with the highest increase in recent decades in Latin America, affecting children, adolescents, and especially young adults. Forty percent of adults have a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between obesity and cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, diabetes, sleep apnea, and oncological diseases, among others. ⋯ Healthcare professionals must initiate patient care by considering their values and treatment goals, facilitating reflection, and fostering responsibility to promote long-term improvements. The initial approach, communication, and physician's attitude during the evaluation of a patient with obesity are significant determinants for successful treatment and patient health. The objective of this document is to compile the available information on the disease and present practical and summarized clinical management recommendations based on scientific evidence.
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The prevalence of sleep disorders (SD) is notoriously increased in children with chronic neurological disease, with a negative bidirectional link that aggravates their symptomatology and has a negative impact on the quality of life of the child and their families. Identifying and recognizing this association is key for the child neurologist since the treatment of SD significantly improves daytime symptomatology in neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy, primary headaches, cerebral palsy and neuromuscular diseases.
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Approximately 30% of people with epilepsy will be refractory. This manuscript reviews current evidencebased non-surgical treatment modalities for pediatric refractory epilepsy, including pharmacological and dietary strategies.
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Pediatric palliative care focuses on improving the quality-of-life in children with severe illnesses and their families, addressing relief of pain and other physical symptoms, as well as emotional, social and spiritual support. Its approach is comprehensive and multidisciplinary. Severe neurological diseases are life-limiting and threatening, significantly affecting the well-being of the child. ⋯ Early intervention can improve quality-of-life, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and provide emotional support for the family. Coordination between different health services is essential to ensure patient-centered care. Education and training of health professionals in this field are essential to improve the care of these children.
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Intracranial hemorrhage continues to be a prevalent pathology in preterm newborns, especially in those with lower gestational age and birth weight. It occurs more frequently in the first days of life, and the severity of bleeding is directly related to the degree of immaturity and other conditions of the patient. ⋯ Establishing an accurate prognosis is essential but frequently it is difficult to assay, dealing with uncertainty that healthcare team and the family must consider when they have to decide about the goals of care to provide to the newborn, including withholding or withdrawing life support treatments. Reflections regarding the best interest of the newborn, the complexity of quality-of-life, end-of-life shared decision-making process, uncovered biases, parental values, emotions, preferences and hopes, should be included in these challenging bioethical considerations and communications with the family.