Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Characteristics of Diagnosed Concussions in Children Aged 0 to 4 Years Presenting to a Large Pediatric Healthcare Network.
The aim of the study was to comprehensively describe the natural history of concussion in early childhood between 0 and 4 years. ⋯ These results provide insight into the clinical characteristics of concussion in early childhood up to 4 years of age. Because assessment in this group relies heavily on parent/caregiver symptom reporting, rather than patient self-report, these results will aid clinicians with the challenge of diagnosing concussions in this population. These findings highlight the need to develop additional tools to adequately and systematically assess common signs and symptoms of concussion in early childhood that may not be included in standard assessment scales routinely used in older adolescents and adults.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Intentional Poisoning in Pediatric Patients: Examining the Risk Factors.
Poisonings in children are common reasons for presentation to the emergency department and can potentially have serious complications. Our research aims to review risk factors leading to intentional self-poisoning. ⋯ Known psychiatric history or a history of deliberate self-harm are risk factors for intentional poisoning. Appropriate risk stratification and preemptive interventions involving closer surveillance or cognitive behavioral programs are possible measures to prevent intentional self-poisoning, especially in these at-risk groups.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Case ReportsChromhidrosis: An Unusual Cause of Skin Discoloration.
Chromhidrosis is a rare condition characterized by the secretion of colored sweat. We report a case of a preadolescent healthy girl presenting with acute, recurrent blue discoloration of her armpits. The blue discoloration can be wiped off but recurs. As providers, it is useful to be familiar with this diagnosis and course of disease.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Screening Laboratory Testing in Asymptomatic Minor Pediatric Blunt Trauma Leads to Unnecessary Needle Sticks.
Screening blood work after minor injuries is common in pediatric trauma. The risk of missed injuries versus diagnostic necessity in an asymptomatic patient remains an ongoing debate. We evaluated the clinical utility of screening blood work in carefully selected asymptomatic children after minor trauma. ⋯ When appropriately selected, screening laboratory testing in asymptomatic minor pediatric blunt trauma patients leads to unnecessary needle sticks without significant advantage.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2021
Case ReportsCoarctation of the Aorta in Adolescence: Significance of Detailed Cardiac Examination in Pediatric Hypertension.
Although coarctation of the aorta (CoAo) is a congenital anomaly, it can pose a diagnostic challenge in those presenting beyond neonatal period, as some patients can remain asymptomatic until complications of hypertension develop later in life. Careful physical examination can play an important role in timely diagnosis and prevention of complications. We present 2 cases of adolescents with undiagnosed CoAo who both presented with nonspecific headaches and hypertension. ⋯ These findings raised the clinical suspicion of CoAo, which was confirmed on further investigations. Our cases highlight the importance of considering CoAo in the differential diagnosis of hypertension in adolescents. These cases also stress the significance of detailed cardiac examination including 4-limb blood pressure and femoral pulses in a patient presenting to the emergency department with high blood pressure irrespective of the primary complaint.