Archives of disease in childhood
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Doxapram infusion was given to five preterm infants in whom therapeutic concentrations of theophylline had failed to control episodes of apnoea. Doxapram successfully controlled the apnoea, the arterial blood PCO2 value decreased significantly, and no side effects were reported.
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Eighty nine children under 2 years of age with skull fracture were studied retrospectively--29 children with definite non-accidental injury serially recorded by the Departments of Paediatrics and Forensic Medicine, and 60 children consecutively admitted to hospital with skull fractures after accidents. There were 20 deaths including 19 among abused children. Multiple injuries and an inadequate history assisted in diagnosing abuse. ⋯ No fractures measuring more than 5.0 mm on presentation were found after accidents, but 6 of these 'growing fractures' were found in abused children. Accidents usually resulted in single, narrow, linear fractures most commonly of the parietal, with no associated intracranial injury. The results suggest that in skull fracture in young children where a minor fall is alleged, it is possible to recognise abuse by consideration of the fracture alone.