The Journal of pediatrics
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The Journal of pediatrics · Jun 1996
Case ReportsGlucose polymer as a cause of protracted diarrhea in infants with unsuspected congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency.
To describe four infants with protracted diarrhea caused by glucose polymer intolerance resulting from congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. ⋯ Congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency should be considered a possible cause of protracted diarrhea in infants receiving glucose polymer-based feedings.
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The Journal of pediatrics · Jun 1996
Resource consumption and the extent of futile care among patients in a pediatric intensive care unit setting.
To estimate resource consumption and the extent of futile care among patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). ⋯ Despite our use of broad definitions of medical futility, relatively small amounts of resources were used in futile PICU care. This suggests that attempts to reduce resource consumption in the PICU by focusing on medical futility are unlikely to be successful.
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The Journal of pediatrics · Jun 1996
Hydroxyurea therapy in children severely affected with sickle cell disease.
The major clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD) are hemolytic anemia, predisposition to infection, and recurrent vaso-occlusive episodes resulting in pain, organ dysfunction, or both. There has been no satisfactory treatment for children with recurrent severe painful episodes caused by SCD. Hydroxyurea is an antimetabolite drug shown in adults with SCD to increase fetal hemoglobin levels and reduce the symptoms of SCD. We hypothesized that hydroxyurea therapy in children with severe (defined as > or = 3 vaso-occlusive events per year) SCD could improve hematologic parameters and reduce vaso-occlusive events. ⋯ In this pilot trial, hydroxyurea treatment of severe SCD in children was associated with improved hematologic parameters, acceptable toxic effects, and a trend to reduced hospitalization. Hydroxyurea appears to be a safe and potentially effective agent for the treatment of severe SCD in children. A prospective, controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of hydroxyurea in children is therefore warranted.