Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2011
Utility of laboratory tests for children in the emergency department with a first seizure.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with abnormal laboratory findings in patients visiting the emergency department (ED) after having their first seizure. ⋯ There was no significant association among the factors of sex, fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, seizure duration, and seizures in patients who came to the ED with electrolyte abnormalities after a first seizure. However, glucose level abnormalities may have an association with increased seizure duration. We still do not have any suggestions as to which associated factors should be considered when doing common blood examinations in these patients.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2011
An international fellowship training program in pediatric emergency medicine: establishing a new subspecialty in the Land of the Dragon.
The health care system reform in the People's Republic of China has brought plans for establishment of a universal coverage for basic health services, including services for children. This effort demands significant change in health care planning. Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) is not currently identified as a specialty in China, and emergency medicine systems suffer from lack of appropriate training.In 2006, the Centre for International Child Health and the Department of Pediatrics, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, initiated a fellowship training program in PEM for pediatricians working in emergency departments or critical care settings with the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, China. The main objective was to upgrade the professional and clinical experience of emergency physicians practicing PEM and build PEM capacity throughout China by training the future trainers. ⋯ Despite its current success, the program faces challenges in the development of the new subspecialty and ensuring its acceptance among other health care providers and decision makers. Identification and preparation of a capable training force to lead educational activities in China are daunting tasks. Time constraints, funding, and language barriers are other challenges. Future effort should be focused on improving and sustaining resuscitation capacity and enhancing triage systems.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2011
Case ReportsGluconeogenesis defect presenting with resistant hyperglycemia and acidosis mimicking diabetic ketoacidosis.
Fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FDPase) enzyme deficiency is a rare inherited metabolic disease. Affected patients usually present with metabolic crisis including hypoglycemia, acidosis, ketonuria, and hyperuricemia. A previously healthy 8-month-old male infant presented with fever, vomiting, and hypoactivity. ⋯ About 12 hours after dialysis, his metabolic derangements were normalized, and clinical status was improved dramatically. His metabolic disease workup was compatible with FDPase deficiency. Here, we described a metabolic attack of FDPase deficiency presented with hyperglycemia mimicking diabetic ketoacidosis.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2011
Case ReportsCornual ectopic pregnancy in a female with initial negative ultrasound.
Cornual pregnancies are a rare form of ectopic pregnancy that can be misdiagnosed as an intrauterine pregnancy via ultrasound. We report a 16-year-old adolescent girl with a cornual ectopic pregnancy and subsequent rupture in the emergency department.
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Traumatic hip dislocation in the pediatric patient requires much less energy than in an adult, yet it remains a rare diagnosis. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl who dislocated her right hip when bindings failed to release as she skied downhill. ⋯ Reduction can be safely performed in the emergency department, although up to 25% of cases will require open reduction in the operating room. A high index of suspicion is warranted to not miss the "golden window" and achieve satisfactory reduction in a timely fashion.