Acta paediatrica
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Epilepsy is a common paroxysmal disorder in childhood. Tachyarrhythmia, bradyarrhythmia, asystole, atrioventricular block, ventricular fibrillation or sudden death may occur during seizures. Mutations of ion-channel coding genes are found in patients with idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy. The ion channels also play a role in arrhythmogenesis. QT dispersion is a non-invasive method for assessment of regional repolarization differences within the myocardial tissue. This study investigated QT and QTc dispersion (QTcd) and the risk of dysrhythmia in epileptic children. ⋯ QT dispersion is increased in epileptic children. Further investigation is needed to reveal the pathogenesis of myocardial repolarization abnormalities in epileptic patients.
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Clinical Trial
Conscious or deep sedation: a questionnaire regarding the experience of parents, children and staff during small bowel biopsy.
The paediatric clinics of Linköping and Norrköping, Sweden, have different procedures regarding premedication and sedation during small bowel biopsy in children with suspected or diagnosed coeliac disease. In Linköping deep sedation using intravenous propofol is the method of sedation being used and parents are not present during the biopsy procedure. In Norrköping conscious sedation using intravenous midazolam is the routine and parents stay with their child throughout the whole biopsy procedure. The aim of this study was to find out whether the preprocedural and procedural differences between the clinics affected the way in which the parents and children experienced the time before and during the biopsy procedure. ⋯ The children undergoing small bowel biopsy and their parents felt well taken care of during their visit to the two hospitals. The differences between the clinics regarding method of sedation and presence or absence of the parents did not seem to affect how the parents and children experienced the biopsy procedure.
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Instrumental dead space (iDS) is a major part of total dead space in newborns, and thus significantly determines effective alveolar ventilation. Continuous tracheal gas insufflation (CTGI) is a method for reducing the role of iDS, allowing a reduction in respiratory support and secondary lung injury. The literature and authors' experience with the method are reviewed. Major attention is paid to the risks in providing CTGI, optimal equipment and optimal management of CTGI.
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To document the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in Flemish adolescents and to recognize the association between perceived social support and affect and medical consultation and reduction of activities. ⋯ The results of the present study encourage further research on the role of pain perception and the influence of psychosocial factors on back pain in adolescents.
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Some of the complex factors that can affect growth in weight but especially in height are discussed. It is emphasized that although due attention needs to be paid to diet and the regular provision of the extra macro- and micro-nutrients needed during catch-up growth, other considerations are just as important. ⋯ As well as dealing with the problem of poor sanitation and consequent frequent infection in developing countries, social stimulation and the restoration of a feeling of well-being and general happiness can be just as important.