The Journal of pediatrics
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The Journal of pediatrics · Nov 1997
Comparative Study Clinical TrialUltrasonography of the optic nerves: clinical application in children with pseudotumor cerebri.
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) in children has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, from headache, which may be posterior and associated with nausea, vomiting or diplopia, to nonspecific headache, which may not be posterior and related or unrelated to other symptoms. In children with nonspecific headache, supportive evidence for diagnosis may be required before invasive procedures such as lumbar punctures are performed. Ultrasonography of the optic nerves (USON) is a noninvasive examination that can provide information about optic nerve changes, including those resulting from increased intracranial pressure. The applicability of USON in the diagnosis and follow-up of PTC was examined. ⋯ We noted an excellent correlation between the clinical results and the USON findings in PTC, and in many cases repeated lumbar punctures could be avoided. USON is more easily applied than a lumbar puncture, without the accompanying risks. It may be used as an indicator of increased intracranial pressure, as well as a follow-up tool. However, further studies are required before the accuracy of USON can be fully established.
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The Journal of pediatrics · Nov 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialEquivalent antipyretic activity of ibuprofen and paracetamol in febrile children.
The antipyretic activity of ibuprofen in the Sparklets form was compared, in an equivalence study, with that of paracetamol in the same formulation. The study was conducted as a double-blind multicenter trial, with random allocation of the treatments. ⋯ The subjects' rectal temperature was regularly monitored for 6 hours. The statistical analysis of the results confirmed that ibuprofen and paracetamol are equivalent with respect to the following criteria (1) time elapsed between dosing and the lowest temperature: 3.61 +/- 1.34 hours for ibuprofen and 3.65 +/- 1.47 hours for paracetamol (95% confidence interval [CI] of the difference: -0.48; +0.56); (2) extent of the temperature decrease: 1.65 degrees C +/- 0.80 degrees C for ibuprofen and 1.50 degrees C +/- 0.61 degrees C for paracetamol, (95% CI of the difference: -0.41; +0.11); (3) rate of temperature decrease: 0.52 +/- 0.32 degrees C/hr for ibuprofen and 0.51 degrees C +/- 0.38 degrees C/hr for paracetamol (95% CI of the difference: -0.45; +0.55); (4) duration of temperature below 38.5 degrees C: 3.79 +/- 1.33 hours for ibuprofen and 3.84 +/- 1.22 hours for paracetamol (95% CI of the difference: -0.14; +0.12).
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The Journal of pediatrics · Nov 1997
Discontinuation of long-term transfusion therapy in patients with sickle cell disease and stroke.
Long-term transfusion therapy in patients with sickle cell disease and stroke markedly decreases the risk of stroke recurrence. However, it is not known how long the transfusions should be continued. Published reports have documented a high risk of stroke recurrence after stopping transfusion. We report on nine consecutive patients with sickle cell disease and stroke whose long-term transfusion therapy was discontinued and in whom no ischemic strokes developed during 80.75 patient years of follow-up.