Acta paediatrica
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Multicenter Study
The availability and accessibility of basic paediatric resuscitation equipment in primary healthcare centres: cause for concern?
Paediatric emergencies in primary healthcare centres are serious events that occur more commonly than envisaged. However, at present, these centres appear to lack the training and equipment to manage common paediatric emergencies. ⋯ Primary healthcare centres appear to lack the training and equipment to manage common paediatric emergencies. We recommend standardization of equipment and algorithms, training and assessment of key personnel, and critical incident reporting within primary healthcare centres.
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Difficult tracheal intubation occurs infrequently. It is estimated that difficult laryngoscopy occurs in 1-2% of patients. Tracheal intubation of especially small infants can be challenging. When faced with a difficult airway, intubation through a laryngeal mask airway is one method of obtaining a secure airway. Here, we report a 23-mo-old girl with chronic lung disease and severe pneumonia, who was admitted to our paediatric intensive care unit. Since the patient could not be intubated by the standard method, because her larynx was up and forward, she was intubated successfully with a laryngeal mask airway through which two consecutive tracheal tubes were inserted. ⋯ Laryngeal mask airway has an important role as a back-up device in case direct visualization of the larynx is not possible.
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To assess the role of procalcitonin in detecting nosocomial sepsis in preterm infants, after the onset of clinical symptoms. ⋯ Procalcitonin >2.3 ng/ml or CRP >30 mg/l indicates a high likelihood for neonatal sepsis, and antibiotic therapy should be continued even in the presence of sterile cultures.