Journal of paediatrics and child health
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J Paediatr Child Health · Mar 2009
Ventilator-associated pneumonia in a paediatric intensive care unit in a developing country with high HIV prevalence.
To obtain preliminary prevalence, aetiological and outcome data on South African paediatric patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). ⋯ VAP is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and may relate to the high incidence of comorbid conditions in this population. Primary VAP pathogens differ from developed countries.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Mar 2009
Impact of antenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome on the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes: the Australian experience.
Antenatal diagnosis of severe congenital heart disease enables planning of perinatal care of affected infants. Congenital heart surgery is highly centralised in Australia, and surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) currently takes place at a single institution, in order to ensure case volume. The study aims to review the impact of antenatal diagnosis on the early clinical course of infants with HLHS in Australia. ⋯ Antenatal diagnosis of HLHS was strongly associated with a superior pre-operative clinical status, but did not influence early survival after surgical palliation.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomised controlled trial of intravenous maintenance fluids.
Traditional paediatric intravenous maintenance fluids are prescribed using hypotonic fluids and the weight-based 4:2:1 formula for administration rate. However, this may cause hyponatraemia in sick and post-operative children. We studied the effect of two types of intravenous maintenance fluid and two administration rates on plasma sodium concentration in intensive care patients. ⋯ Sick and post-operative children given dextrose saline at traditional maintenance rates are at risk of hyponatraemia.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyAsthma and protracted bronchitis: who fares better during an acute respiratory infection?
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are common in children, and symptoms range from days to weeks. The aim of this study was to determine if children with asthma have more severe ARI episodes compared with children with protracted bronchitis and controls. ⋯ Children with protracted bronchitis had the most severe ARI symptoms and higher percentage of respiratory morbidity at day 14 in comparison with children with asthma and healthy controls.
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J Paediatr Child Health · Jan 2009
Use of oxygen in the resuscitation of preterm infants: current opinion and practice in Australia and New Zealand.
The aim of this paper was to explore the opinions and practices of tertiary health-care professionals in Australia and New Zealand regarding air and oxygen blending (OB) for the resuscitation of preterm infants. ⋯ Two-thirds of the tertiary centres have at least some OB equipment in the delivery suite, but the ways and opinions in which OB is utilised differ widely. Most practitioners would advocate for a change. There is an urgent need for further research to achieve a consistent and meaningful clinical management for OB resuscitation of preterm infants.