Archives of disease in childhood
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Comparative Study
Different priorities: a comparison of parents' and health professionals' perceptions of quality of life in quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
Almost all children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) have feeding difficulties. Our aim was to identify the major determinants of feeding-related quality of life (QoL) in children with quadriplegic CP from the perspective of parents and to compare findings with the perceptions of health professionals. ⋯ Disparities between parents' and health professionals' perceptions provide useful insight into communication between the two, identify the range of issues important to families, and highlight the parents' expert role in assessing the child's emotional and social well-being. The five themes identified provide a framework for a comprehensive evaluation of the health status of children with quadriplegic CP and feeding difficulties.
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Comparative Study
Comparison between pulse oximetry and transthoracic impedance alarm traces during home monitoring.
To compare transthoracic impedance (TTI/ECG) and pulse oximetry alarm traces detected during home monitoring in infants at risk of apnoea, bradycardia and hypoxaemia. ⋯ Comparison of pulse oximetry and TTI/ECG alarm traces shows that true events were mostly attributable to desaturations, while false alarms were mainly provoked by TTI/ECG. The total number of false alarms is lower than reported in other studies using TTI/ECG only, thus indicating that monitoring using both pulse oximetry and TTI/ECG is suitable for home use. When the combination of both techniques is not feasible or not required, we recommend the use of motion resistant pulse oximetry alone.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI)-mediated hypopituitarism is an increasingly recognised problem. Paediatric survivors of TBI may be vulnerable to the possible effects of pituitary deficits as pituitary hormones control normal growth and development. Research concerning pituitary dysfunction following childhood TBI is limited. ⋯ Our study that confirms that paediatric survivors of severe TBI may develop pituitary dysfunction. Pituitary function should therefore be determined in these patients.