Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jul 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialMeasuring sensorineural disability in preterm children using a public health screening strategy: a randomised controlled trial.
To assess the efficacy of a preterm-targeted screening programme against the routine Australian National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) universal child health screening programme to detect disability in a general practice setting in children born < or =31 weeks gestation at 12-months of age. ⋯ The preterm-targeted programme used by general practitioners: (i) did not improve overall identification of disability status compared to the NHMRC universal programme (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trails Registry number, ACTRN 12606000472572); however (ii) it did demonstrate greater efficacy as a screening tool in accurately identifying disabled children.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jul 2008
Use of the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument to assess mental health problems in young people within an Australian youth detention centre.
To screen for mental health problems in an Australian adolescent forensic population, evaluate the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument Version 2 (MAYSI-2) in providing a preliminary assessment of those needs, and to explore the level of mental health problems in vulnerable populations within detention. ⋯ This study confirmed the high rates of mental health problems in adolescents within youth detention. Appropriate use of screening tools improves our understanding and targets treatment of mental health problems in this cohort. We have reservations in recommending the MAYSI-2 as a valid screening tool for Indigenous young people in youth detention and recommend the development of a more appropriate screening tool.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jul 2008
Discussing withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining medical treatment in paediatric inpatients: audit of current practice.
To understand the circumstances of inpatient deaths at a tertiary paediatric hospital and current practices regarding the timing and documentation of discussions concerning the withholding and withdrawing of life-sustaining medical treatment (WWLSMT). ⋯ The majority of inpatient deaths at The Royal Children's Hospital occur in acute circumstances and involve patients with chronic conditions. In most cases, death follows WWLSMT. Discussions with families are documented as first occurring relatively late in the course of the final admission although opportunities for earlier discussions may exist. Further research is needed to understand more about how and when discussions actually take place, what the barriers to communication are and to what extent opportunities exist for discussions to be initiated earlier in the illness course.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jul 2008
ReviewWithdrawal and limitation of life-sustaining treatments in a paediatric intensive care unit and review of the literature.
To examine withdrawal and limitation of life-sustaining treatment (WLST) in an Australian paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to compare this experience with published data from other countries. ⋯ Withdrawal and limitation of life-sustaining treatment was more common in an Australian children's hospital ICU than has been reported from other countries. Details of discussion with parents, including the basis for any decision to WLST, were almost always documented in the patient's medical record.