The Medical journal of Australia
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To identify trends in presentations to Victorian emergency departments (EDs) by children and adolescents for mental and physical health problems; to determine patient characteristics associated with these presentations; to assess the relative clinical burdens of mental and physical health presentations. ⋯ The number of children who presented to Victorian public hospital EDs for mental health problems increased during 2008-2015, particularly for self-harm, depression, and behavioural disorders.
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Epidemics of human parechovirus (HPeV) causing disease in young children have occurred every 2 years in Australia since 2013. HPeV genotype 3 caused the epidemic from late 2017 to early 2018. Most HPeV infections cause no or mild symptoms including gastroenteritis or influenza-like illness. ⋯ Treatment is primarily supportive, including management of complications. Some infants with severe HPeV infection may have adverse neurodevelopment. Follow-up by a paediatrician is recommended.