Acta paediatrica
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Review Practice Guideline
Guidelines for procedural pain in the newborn.
Despite accumulating evidence that procedural pain experienced by newborn infants may have acute and even long-term detrimental effects on their subsequent behaviour and neurological outcome, pain control and prevention remain controversial issues. Our aim was to develop guidelines based on evidence and clinical practice for preventing and controlling neonatal procedural pain in the light of the evidence-based recommendations contained in the SIGN classification. A panel of expert neonatologists used systematic review, data synthesis and open discussion to reach a consensus on the level of evidence supported by the literature or customs in clinical practice and to describe a global analgesic management, considering pharmacological, non-pharmacological, behavioural and environmental measures for each invasive procedure. There is strong evidence to support some analgesic measures, e.g. sucrose or breast milk for minor invasive procedures, and combinations of drugs for tracheal intubation. Many other pain control measures used during chest tube placement and removal, screening and treatment for ROP, or for postoperative pain, are still based not on evidence, but on good practice or expert opinions. ⋯ These guidelines should help improving the health care professional's awareness of the need to adequately manage procedural pain in neonates, based on the strongest evidence currently available.
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Induced mild hypothermia is an emerging therapy that has been shown to reduce the combined outcome of death or severe neurodevelopmental disabilities in asphyxiated full-term infants if started within 6 h after birth. ⋯ Passive induction of hypothermia by turning off active warming devices is possible, making an earlier start of hypothermia achievable. However, there is a substantial risk of unintended excessive cooling;therefore, continuous monitoring of the central temperature is mandatory when such a strategy is used.
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Self-poisoning in childhood and adolescence is a major problem for health authorities all over the world. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of self-poisoning in Lebanese children and adolescents. ⋯ Female adolescents are more at risk of deliberate self-intoxication after the age of 12 years compared to males, whereas males younger than 12 years are more likely to suffer from accidental poisoning. Preventative strategies include screening adolescents at high risk of self-harm in order to offer adequate counselling, while providing anticipatory guidance for parents of children in the younger age group.
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Case Reports
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and pulmonary hypertension in a neonate. A common mechanism?
Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator of biological functions. Absence or shortage of NO plays a role in the pathogenesis of both hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and persistent pulmonary hypertension. We present a neonate diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension after birth caused by meconium-aspiration syndrome eventually treated with extracorporal membrane oxygenation followed by hypertrophic pyloric stenosis for which a pyloromyotomy was performed. In conclusion, the association of pulmonary hypertension and pyloric stenosis has not been described before and may be explained by a lowered plasma concentration of arginine leading to deficient NO synthesis in the affected organ systems.