Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · May 2015
A pioneer of Australian paediatrics: Dr Henry Edward Brown (1858-1931).
The emergence of paediatrics as a specialty in Australian medicine dates from the last two decades of the 19th century. Among the pioneers of pre-Federation paediatrics, we include Dr Henry Edward Brown (1858-1931), an Irish-born physician and surgeon who became the first paediatrician to practise in the northern half of the Australian continent. In 1885, he was appointed as the medical superintendent of the Rockhampton Children's Hospital, itself a pioneer institution in the care of sick and injured children. ⋯ Brown also served as medical officer of health concurrently in three Queensland shires. He was a leader in the literary and sporting life of the busy port town of Rockhampton and a scholar and significant philanthropist in the domain of French literature. His life was and remains an exemplar of a class of pre-Federation paediatricians who established the ethos of clinical and societal service, which remains as a core feature of the speciality discipline of paediatrics in the 21st century.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Mar 2015
Compression force on the upper jaw during neonatal intubation: mannequin study.
Neonatal intubation is a technically challenging procedure, and pressure-related injuries to surrounding structures have been reported. The primary objective of this study was to determine the pressure exerted on the upper jaw during tracheal intubation using a neonatal mannequin. ⋯ The upper jaw is exposed to a significant compression force during intubation. Although such exposure is brief, it has the potential to cause tissue injury. Contact of the laryngoscope blade with the upper jaw occurred in all intubation attempts with the currently used design of laryngoscope.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Feb 2015
High flow nasal cannula for continuous positive airway pressure weaning in preterm neonates: A single-centre experience.
High flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) is an emerging method of non-invasive respiratory support therapy for premature infants. Recent evidence around its safety and efficacy for post-extubation respiratory support is encouraging. However, its effect on long-term respiratory outcomes is not known. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of HFNC on respiratory outcomes (chronic lung disease (CLD), need for home oxygen) when used to wean babies from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). ⋯ Introduction of HFNC for weaning nasal CPAP seems to have a minimal effect on CLD rates. The effect of HFNC on long-term outcomes needs to be further evaluated.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Feb 2015
'Playing favourites': Is there bias during patient selection by registrars in an Australian paediatric emergency department?
Overseas studies have suggested a bias in emergency department patient selection between paediatric and emergency medicine trainees. This study aimed to detect whether a similar bias existed in an Australasian setting. Specifically, we sought to determine whether vocational trainees choose patients based on presenting complaint, triage category or patient age. ⋯ Bias does not appear to exist in the selection of patients in this Australasian PED. Further study should address the impact of unbiased patient selection on emergency department efficiency and trainee education.