Clinical pediatrics
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Clinical pediatrics · Jul 2010
Comparative StudySurvival of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 3 different swimming pool environments (chlorinated, saltwater, and biguanide nonchlorinated).
The aim of this study was to examine the viability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 3 types of swimming pool environments. This study demonstrates that after 1 hour, all MRSA inoculants were found to be nonviable in chlorinated water, saltwater, and biguanide-treated water. This study indicates that swimming pool water that is properly maintained in both public and private swim centers is not likely to be a vehicle to spread MRSA from swimmer to swimmer.
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Clinical pediatrics · Jul 2010
Natural disasters and mass-casualty events affecting children and families: a description of emergency preparedness and the role of the primary care physician.
To determine the compliance of a select number of families with national recommendations for disaster preparedness. ⋯ These data show that families are, for the most part, not in compliance with national recommendations for preparedness. Families who discussed preparedness with their primary care physician were more likely to be compliant.
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Clinical pediatrics · Jun 2010
Fever phobia: a survey of caregivers of children seen in a pediatric emergency department.
Fever continues to be the most common complaint of children seen in a Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). Previous studies have assessed the prevalence of fever phobia in various populations. This study aims to document the incidence of fever phobia in a PED. ⋯ Fever phobia and inappropriate treatment for febrile children is present among caregivers of patients seen in a PED. Level of education may be a factor in fever knowledge and practices. Overly zealous, potentially harmful home practices and unnecessary PED visits for the assessment and treatment of fever in children is widespread among caregivers surveyed in the PED.
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Clinical pediatrics · Jun 2010
Comparative StudyAre serial brain imaging scans required for children who have suffered acute intracranial injury secondary to blunt head trauma?
In most instances, infants and children with moderate to severe head trauma undergo a head computed tomography (CT) scan as part of their initial evaluation. Several authors have advocated a routine second head CT after traumatic brain injury (TBI) to identify progressive lesions that may require surgical intervention. However, recent studies have challenged the need for a routine second brain imaging study after TBI. ⋯ Compared with children who did not require an intervention following their second scan, children who received an intervention were more likely to have been subjected to nonaccidental trauma and to have presented to the ED more than 4 hours after the injury. Most children with intracranial injury following blunt trauma who did not require immediate neurosurgical intervention but instead underwent a follow-up brain imaging study did not require subsequent unplanned neurosurgical intervention. Serial brain imaging may not be required for all children with intracranial injury.