Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række
-
Frostbite injuries occur mainly in toes, fingers, ears, nose and cheek. Typically an initial vasoconstriction in the skin will protect from drop in core temperature. Ice crystal development occurs when tissue temperature drops to -2 degrees C, leading to increased osmolality of the extracellular fluid and intracellular dehydration. ⋯ Thawing should preferably be done in stirred water of 40-42 degrees C with mild soap. Antibiotics may be indicated when the skin barrier is broken. Surgical debridement should be postponed until a clear demarcation occurs.
-
Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Jan 1999
Case Reports[Brain stem infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes].
Rhombencephalitis due to Listeria monocytogenes is a serious form of brainstem inflammation. It is difficult to diagnose on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings alone. We describe a fatal case of Listeria monocytogenes rhombencephalitis in a previously healthy female teenager. Clinical and pathogenetic aspects of this condition are discussed.
-
Tidsskr. Nor. Laegeforen. · Jan 1999
Review[Should pethidine still be administered to women in labor?].
According to surveys from 1988, 1992 and 1996, Norwegian obstetric departments are still to a large extent using pethidine as birth analgesia. In this article we report recent knowledge of various pharmacological effects of pethidine in mothers and newborns. Pethidine has mainly a sedative effect, but very little analgesic effect in parturients. ⋯ As a result, breastfeeding is delayed and the mother-infant interaction is disturbed according to recent studies. There is concern about the more or less routine administration of pethidine in many hospitals. We conclude that obstetric departments should reconsider their use of pethidine.
-
All medication administered to patients admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit was registered during a one-year period (1996). Only two (0.4%) of 469 infants admitted were not given any drug at all. A total of 12,019 single doses were administered, a mean of 33 per day. 7,042 (59%) were given orally, and 3,332 (28%) intravenously. 292 (63%) patients were given vitamin K as the only drug. 113 infants (24%) received systemic antibiotic treatment, 5% of all infants born alive at the hospital. ⋯ To a limited extent (44%) this was followed by correction of the dose. One single drug dose (1 per 10,000 doses) was administered to a patient for whom the drug was not prescribed. Quality assurance of medication is an important task in neonatal intensive care units.