Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyPrevalence of Electrocardiogram Use in Infants With Apparent Life-Threatening Events: A Multicenter Database Study.
An apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) is a common diagnosis in pediatrics, but there is no standardized method to evaluate these patients. We sought to determine the prevalence of electrocardiogram (ECG) use in patients presenting to children's hospitals with an ALTE. ⋯ Electrocardiograms are performed in fewer than half of patients with ALTE presenting to children's hospitals. There is wide variation in the prevalence of ECG use as a diagnostic tool for infants presenting with an ALTE.
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Pediatric emergency care · Apr 2014
Multicenter StudyListeria and Enterococcal Infections in Neonates 28 Days of Age and Younger: Is Empiric Parenteral Ampicillin Still Indicated?
Empiric parenteral ampicillin has traditionally been used to treat listeria and enterococcal serious bacterial infections (SBI) in neonates 28 days of age or younger. Anecdotal experience suggests that these infections are rare. Existing data suggest an increasing resistance to ampicillin. Guidelines advocating the routine use of empiric ampicillin may need to be revisited. ⋯ Listeria is an uncommon cause of neonatal SBI in febrile neonates who presented to the ED. Empiric use of ampicillin may need to be reconsidered if national data confirm very low listeria and enterococcal prevalence and high ampicillin resistance patterns.