Turkish J Pediatr
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Guillain-Barré syndrome is clinically characterized by acute onset of generalized, symmetrical, and ascending muscle weakness and areflexia from peripheral nerve involvement. In Guillain-Barré syndrome variants, however, some patients have unusual distribution of muscle involvement. ⋯ Here we report the case of a 16-month-old boy who developed a rare form of Guillain-Barré syndrome, the pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of the disease. We concluded that taking all the other etiologic reasons into consideration, pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome should be remembered in patients with symptoms of bulbar and upper extremity weakness not only for early diagnosis but also to plan the treatment early and follow up the potential complications.
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The aim of this study was to describe and assess the structure, organization, and staffing of pediatric intensive care services in Turkey. A survey was sent to major university and government hospitals. Out of the 40 hospitals stating to provide pediatric intensive care, 34 responded to the survey (85% response rate). ⋯ However, only 12 units had a pediatric intensivist on staff and few had special PICU nurses. Many hospitals in Turkey already have various equipment and specialists needed to support pediatric intensive care. Expansion of services and improved care could be achieved if more pediatric intensivists and nurses could be provided and services concentrated in fully equipped tertiary centers.
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Controlled trials concerning adjuvant dexamethasone therapy in bacterial meningitis do not point unequivocally to a beneficial effect on hearing ability. We investigated the remote adverse outcomes of pneumococcal meningitis and, if any, beneficial effects of adjuvant dexamethasone therapy on hearing ability. Fifty-five subjects who experienced pneumococcal meningitis between 1987-97 were divided into two groups as 25 subjects who did not receive dexamethasone (Group 1) and the remaining 30 subjects who did (Group 2). ⋯ There were a total of 11 subjects (20%) with sensorineural hearing impairment (SNHI): 6 in the first group (24%) and 5 in the second group (16%). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the SNHI ratio between the groups, all the subjects who used adjuvant dexamethasone therapy suffered only minimal-borderline SNHI, whereas 2 patients in Group 1 had moderate-serious SNHI. Even though adjuvant dexamethasone therapy had no statistically significant impact on hearing ability after long-term follow-up, its use may be a good choice in terms of preventing serious SNHI.
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Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PEH) is a sympathomimetic agent that is widely used in common cold disease in children. Though side effects of PEH are well known, it is preferred by many pediatricians in order to benefit from its symptomatic relief in common cold disease. A case of acute urinary retention due to PEH in a three-year-old boy is reported. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the clinical importance and differential diagnosis of PEH overdose in children and to discuss the appropriate treatment approach to PEH overdose in the emergency department.
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The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic usefulness and clinical values of the sonographic feature of peripheral hypoechoic spaces (PHES) in children with necrotizing pneumonia (NP). Between July 2002 and July 2004, 23 consecutive children with NP in whom we performed real-time chest ultrasound were enrolled into our study. Details of demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory data, causative pathogens, complications and outcomes of these children were recorded and analyzed. ⋯ Pneumothorax was seen more commonly in children who presented PHES in US, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the sonographic feature of PHES appears to be more specific for detecting NP in childhood pneumonia. In children with pneumonia with PHES in consolidated lung, the diagnosis of NP can be suggested with confidence, and it is important to be aware of the life-threatening complication of pneumothorax to decrease morbidity.