Pediatric emergency care
-
Pediatric emergency care · May 2007
Review Case ReportsCongenital malaria, an important differential diagnosis to consider when evaluating febrile infants of immigrant mothers.
Congenital malaria is reported rarely in the United States and almost exclusively affects infants of immigrant mothers. Because of its nonspecific presentation with fever during the first 3 months of life, it is an important differential diagnosis when evaluating such infants with fever in the pediatric emergency department. ⋯ As intercontinental travel and immigration increases, emergency department physicians should be alert to the diagnosis of malaria in ill neonates and young infants. We discuss a case of congenital malaria in a 26-day-old infant and review the clinical features of previously reported cases in the United States.
-
Pediatric emergency care · May 2007
Epidemiology and outcome analysis of 208 children with burns attending an emergency department.
The purpose of this study was to prospectively study all burns attending a single inner city emergency department (ED) to establish epidemiological burn patterns and final outcomes for thermal injuries affecting children. ⋯ Many pediatric burns are appropriately managed in the ED without the need for burn center care. Although the mortality from burn injury in children may have fallen in recent decades, problems persist in terms of small burns that can be associated with long-standing morbidity. Education and prevention programs are still required at all levels to help address the problem of childhood burns.
-
Pediatric emergency care · May 2007
Immunization histories given by adult caregivers accompanying children 3-36 months to the emergency department: are their histories valid for the Haemophilus influenzae B and pneumococcal vaccines?
To obtain immunization histories from adult caregivers accompanying children to the emergency department (ED), to determine the accuracy of the caregiver's report for the Haemophilus influenzae B (Hib)and 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7). ⋯ Caregiver report was determined to be inaccurate for Hib and PCV7. Despite 91.5% of caregivers stating that shots were up-to-date, only 66.0% were correct that their child was up-to-date with these 2 vaccines. The ED physician should use caution in making clinical decisions based on the history given by a caregiver regarding their child's immunization status.
-
Pediatric emergency care · May 2007
Age limits and transition of health care in pediatric emergency medicine.
To describe the practice reported by pediatric emergency department (PED) medical directors regarding age limits and transition of health care in their emergency departments and institutions. ⋯ In pediatric emergency medicine, the age of transition from pediatric to adult emergency care providers is variable both between and within institutions. Most PEDs have age limits of younger than 21 years. Most PED medical directors support a multidisciplinary work group or committee as a method of addressing transition of care. Known barriers to transition of care previously reported in the literature are reviewed.