Archives of disease in childhood
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Tracheostomy is a common intervention for adults admitted to intensive care; many are performed early and most are percutaneous. Our study aimed to elucidate current practice and indications for children in the UK admitted to paediatric intensive care and undergoing tracheostomy. ⋯ In contrast with current adult UK practice, tracheostomy for children admitted to intensive care is infrequent, performed late following admission and usually surgical. Practice varies significantly. The death rate for children having a tracheostomy performed was not significantly higher than for children admitted to PICU who did not undergo tracheostomy.
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Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-1) is a clinical syndrome that affects one or more extremities and is characterised by persistent pain disproportionate to any inciting event, and at least one sign of autonomic dysfunction in the affected limb(s). The pathogenesis of this syndrome is poorly understood, but its onset is often precipitated by a physical injury, such as minor trauma, fracture, infection or a surgical procedure. ⋯ Here we present a case series of CRPS-1 following immunisation in adolescents, with either diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (1 case), or human papillomavirus vaccines (4 cases). Enhanced awareness of this syndrome and its potential to occur following immunisation in the paediatric population is vital to the prompt and effective management of this condition.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of bacterial meningitis score validation studies.
The Bacterial Meningitis Score, a derived and validated clinical decision rule, identifies children with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis who are at very low risk of bacterial meningitis. Low-risk features include the following: negative CSF Gram stain, CSF absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000 cells/μl, CSF protein <80 mg/dl, peripheral blood ANC <10 000 cells/μl and no seizure at or prior to initial presentation. The study objective of the present work was to calculate the performance of the Bacterial Meningitis Score by performing a meta-analysis of all published validation studies. ⋯ The Bacterial Meningitis Score is a highly accurate clinical scoring system that could be used to assist clinical decision making for the management of children with CSF pleocytosis.
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Bronchiolitis is a common, self-limiting, seasonal viral respiratory tract infection in infancy accounting for the majority of hospital admissions in this age group. Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment, concentrating on fluid replacement, gentle suctioning of nasal secretions, prone position (if in hospital), oxygen therapy and respiratory support if necessary. ⋯ The combination of oral dexamethasone with nebulised epinephrine potentially decreases the need for hospitalisation, while nebulised 3% hypertonic saline mixed with a bronchodilator decreases the length of hospitalisation. Although both stratagems appear safe and well tolerated, their role in clinical practice remains unclear.