Current opinion in pediatrics
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2014
ReviewUse of procalcitonin for the prediction and treatment of acute bacterial infection in children.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is increasingly utilized to determine the presence of infection or to guide antibiotic therapy. This review will highlight the diagnostic and prognostic utility of serum PCT in children. ⋯ PCT is a reliable serum marker for determining the presence or absence of invasive bacterial infection and response to antibiotic therapy. Tailoring antibiotics to PCT levels may reduce the duration of therapy without increasing treatment failure, but more research is needed in children.
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There has been tremendous progress in the approach to childhood interstitial lung diseases (chILD), with particular recognition that interstitial lung disease (ILD) in infants is often distinct from the forms that occur in older children and adults. Diagnosis is challenging because of the rarity of ILD and the fact that the presenting symptoms of ILD often overlap those of common respiratory disorders. This review summarizes the newly published recommendations for diagnosis and management, and highlights the recent scientific advances in several specific forms of chILD. ⋯ chILD encompasses a collection of rare, diffuse lung diseases. Timely recognition of children with suspected ILD and initiation of appropriate diagnostic evaluations will facilitate medical management. Systematic approaches to clinical care and further studies are needed to improve the outcomes of children with these rare disorders.
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This review summarizes new findings in the field of maltreatment, addressing epidemiology, physical abuse, abusive head trauma, sexual abuse, sequelae, and prevention. ⋯ The volume, quality, and breadth of research relating to child maltreatment continue to improve and expand our understanding of child abuse pediatrics. These authors summarize notable advances in our understanding of child maltreatment over the past year.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2014
ReviewNuking the radiation: minimizing radiation exposure in the evaluation of pediatric blunt trauma.
Our objective is to highlight recent literature investigating low-radiation diagnostic strategies in the evaluation of pediatric trauma. ⋯ More research is needed in development of pediatric-specific clinical decision rules and risk stratification and in testing low-radiation diagnostic modalities in the pediatric trauma population.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2014
ReviewAdvances in point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an integral part of emergency medicine practice. Research evaluating POCUS in the care of pediatric patients has improved the understanding of its potential role in clinical care. ⋯ Key applications in PEM have been investigated in the recent publications. Further exploration of the ability to integrate ultrasound into routine practice will require larger-scale studies and continued growth of education in the field. The use of ultrasound in clinical practice has the potential to improve safety and efficiency of care in the pediatric emergency department.