Current opinion in pediatrics
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2007
ReviewTrends and challenges in international pediatric emergency medicine.
Pediatric emergency care internationally is practiced in a wide variety of local contexts, and the quality of care varies. International pediatric emergency medicine refers to the spectrum of care provided to children with serious illnesses and injuries globally. This article serves as the first of its kind to characterize current trends and challenges in this area. ⋯ While there are many recent advances in the state of pediatric emergency medicine internationally, there still exist many barriers to the improvement in its quality. Many of these obstacles are not specific to pediatric emergency medicine, but reflect overall disparities between the developing and developed worlds. One first step to overcoming pediatric emergency medicine practiced in isolation is a formal organization of the field of international pediatric emergency medicine.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2007
ReviewAn update on the approach to apparent life-threatening events.
Apparent life-threatening events are an ongoing diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. Since most apparent life-threatening event episodes occur in infants under 6 months of age, they can generate considerable anxiety in parents and providers. This review will discuss issues to consider in the evaluation of infants after an apparent life-threatening event. To ensure proper management, a systematic approach should be taken to attempt to determine the cause of the event. ⋯ After a careful review of the literature, prone sleeping is one of the biggest risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome. The association between apparent life-threatening events and sudden infant death syndrome remains to be explored further, but current evidence suggests minimal risk after an apparent life-threatening event episode. This article will help clinicians prepare for this difficult challenge by providing up-to-date information and identifying problems to be addressed in future research.
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Childhood tuberculosis has long been neglected in international tuberculosis control efforts. There are, however, many opportunities to prevent childhood tuberculosis that are not being fully employed. ⋯ True progress will require a rethinking of basic tuberculosis control with a commitment to address problems specific to childhood tuberculosis.