Current opinion in pediatrics
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2014
ReviewContinuous infusion, general anesthesia and other intensive care treatment for uncontrolled status epilepticus.
To discuss the use of continuous infusions, general anesthesia, hypothermia, and ketogenic diet as treatment for uncontrolled status epilepticus in pediatric patients. ⋯ Uncontrolled episodes of status epilepticus require intensive care treatment and the literature describes a common pathway of care used by many. However, cases of truly refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus are seen infrequently at any given institution. One strategy to improve the quality of evidence is to develop prospective, national and multinational case registries to determine the range of presentations and causes, efficacy of treatments, and clinical outcomes.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2014
ReviewContinuous electroencephalography for seizures and status epilepticus.
To discuss the use of continuous video-electroencephalographic (cEEG) monitoring among critically ill children at risk for electrographic seizures and status epilepticus. ⋯ Certain high-risk children frequently experience electrographic seizures and status epilepticus, often without clinical signs, necessitating the use of cEEG monitoring for their diagnosis and management. Although an increasing electrographic seizure burden and status epilepticus are independently associated with worse outcome, further studies are needed to determine whether aggressive use of antiepileptic drugs to reduce seizure burden can improve outcome.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Oct 2014
ReviewPertussis: still a cause of death, seven decades into vaccination.
We review the resurgence of pertussis, including recent trends in epidemiology and reasons for the resurgence, as well as updated vaccination schedules and recommendations. ⋯ The resurgence of pertussis is a multifaceted problem, but the implementation of immunization for all age groups is of utmost importance.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Aug 2014
ReviewWhat to do when she's bleeding through: the recognition, evaluation, and management of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents.
This article reviews the current understanding and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents. The readers will learn a practical approach to the evaluation and treatment of mild-to-severe uterine bleeding. ⋯ AUB is a common adolescent complaint that can vary from mild to life-threatening if not recognized and treated promptly. This article reviews the appropriate assessment and management of AUB and proposes a practical algorithm that can be used in an office or hospital setting.