Indian journal of pediatrics
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An intravaginal foreign body of long duration can pose diagnostic dilemma in children. We present a case of eight and a half years old girl who was suffering from blood stained vaginal discharge for 3 years for which she was treated by few gynaecologists. A vaginal examination performed under general anaesthesia revealed a foreign body (lead pencil). In cases of pediatric vaginitis one should always look for foreign body in vagina.
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Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies (FBs) is an important part of therapeutic endoscopy in children. Children most often ingest coins, pins, keys, round stones or marbles, nails, rings, batteries and toys. Coins were the most common FB in the pediatric series of 139 children, who underwent endoscopic removal in Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Korea. ⋯ Disk batteries cannot be grasped with the FB forceps and snares, but very safely with the powerful magnet attached to the tip of the scope. Overtubes and protective rubber hoods are useful for removing sharp or pointed objects. It is important to test the available grasping accessories on a duplicate of the FB as a "dry run" to determine which accessories will grasp the FB securely.
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Anatomical, functional and neurochemical maturation of pain pathways is well developed in fetus and neonates. Various physiological and behavioural responses to painful stimuli in neonates substantiate their ability to feel pain. ⋯ Pain expressions in the newborn not only reflect tissue damage but are a function of ongoing behavioural state. The ultimate aim should be to keep neonates free from pain and other stressful stimuli as far as possible, by advocating minimal handling protocol, giving comforts after painful procedures, local anesthesia while carrying out painful procedures like cutdown and insertion of chest tubes, and if a baby is ventilated fentanyl and/or midazalam infusion must be carried out during initial periods of ventilation.
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Acute liver failure is a rare but potentially fatal disease. Adult definition of fulminant hepatic failure, which includes the development of hepatic necrosis and encephalopathy within 8 weeks of onset of liver disease does not apply to acute liver failure in children particularly if secondary to autoimmune or metabolic liver disease. The etiology of acute liver failure varies with the age of the child. ⋯ Most children receive a reduced or split liver graft. Living related donations for acute liver failure are also carried out by some centres. Survival post liver transplantation for acute liver failure has improved and most recipients can expect a 70% five year survival.
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Trauma is the leading cause of death in the pediatric age group. About 25,000 children die each year and one million children are injured each year in the USA. Aggressive resuscitation determines the outcome of these injured children. ⋯ The outcome of traumatic children has a direct correlation to resuscitation. In order to manage traumatic shock there are four basic principles: (a) control of active hemorrhage, (b) assessment of circulatory status, (c) rapid intravascular access, and (d) aggressive fluid resuscitation. Following the four principles of management of traumatic shock and aggressive resuscitation improves the outcome.