Journal of child neurology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of Effects of Different Dexmedetomidine and Chloral Hydrate Doses Used in Sedation on Electroencephalography in Pediatric Patients.
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different oral chloral hydrate and dexmedetomidine doses used for sedation during electroencephalography (EEG) in children. One hundred sixty children aged 1 to 9 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II who were uncooperative during EEG recording or who were referred to our electrodiagnostic unit for sleep EEG were included to the study. The patients were randomly assigned into 4 groups. ⋯ The induction time was significantly shorter in group C2 compared with other groups (P = .000). The rate of adverse effects was significantly higher in group C2 compared with the dexmedetomidine groups (D1 and D2; P = .004). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine can be used safely for sedation during EEG in children.
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We assessed factors associated with mortality and potential targets for intervention in a large national sample of children with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database ICD-9-CM code 431 identified children aged 1 to 18 years with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage in 2003, 2006 and 2009. ⋯ From 2003 to 2009, there was a non-significant decrease in mortality with a significant increase in length of stay from 9 to 11 days (P < .003). In children with intracerebral hemorrhage, coma and coagulopathy had the strongest association with mortality; coagulopathy is a potentially modifiable risk factor.
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Viscum album (European mistletoe) extracts have known immunomodulatory effects but little data exist on anticonvulsant activity despite its usefulness having been reported for centuries. A 4½-year-old girl with childhood absence epilepsy and global developmental delay was treated with different antiepileptic drugs and ketogenic diet but failed to become seizure free over a 2-year period. She also received different herbal remedies as part of an integrative medicine approach. ⋯ She was still seizure free at the 12-month follow-up. V album appears to have been a necessary adjunct treatment for this child to become seizure free. We call on physicians to report their experiences of V album in epilepsy and suggest further study.