Archives of disease in childhood
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The effects of spinal surgery on lung function and quality of life (QoL) are important patient outcomes. Long-term follow-up of lung function and QoL in those undergoing combined anterior and posterior spinal fusion (A/PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is poorly documented with only one study extending beyond 2 years, though available evidence points to a decrement in lung function. Our study evaluated long-term change in lung function and QoL following A/PSF for AIS. ⋯ Long-term follow-up of patients with AIS suggests no deficit in pulmonary function, while QoL shows incremental improvement and patient satisfaction is high over 6 years after A/PSF.
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During the last half century there has been an exponential increase in international travel including to more exotic and long-haul destinations. The assessment of febrile returning child travellers presents diagnostic challenges and is often performed poorly. ⋯ While the majority of children will have a common self-limiting or easily treatable infection, it is important to consider other causes, including imported infections, which may be life-threatening or highly contagious. In this article, we provide guidance on the initial assessment and management of such children with a focus on some of the more important imported infections, including malaria, dengue, typhoid fever, travellers' diarrhoea, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis and rickettsial diseases.