Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2012
Review Case ReportsSpontaneous splenic rupture in infectious mononucleosis: case report and review of the literature.
A 15-year-old previously healthy girl presented in full arrest after 1 week of flu-like symptoms, recent diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis, and 1 day of abdominal pain. There was no history of trauma. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination showed free fluid in the abdomen. ⋯ Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Anticipatory guidance about the importance of seeking medical care if abdominal pain develops during infectious mononucleosis is crucial to early diagnosis and intervention in the case of rupture. We discuss the current literature surrounding the outpatient follow-up of splenomegaly associated with infectious mononucleosis, as well as current practice and treatment options when rupture occurs.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2012
Multicenter StudyRole of computed tomography and clinical findings in pediatric blunt intestinal injury: a multicenter study.
Although computed tomographic (CT) scans are accurate in diagnosing solid-organ injuries, their ability to diagnose a blunt intestinal injury (BII) is limited, occasionally requiring repeated imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of clinical findings as well as original and repeated CT imaging in the ultimate decision to operate for BII. ⋯ Although abdominal CT imaging may contribute to diagnosing intestinal injury after blunt trauma, most children undergo operation based on clinical findings. Repeated imaging should be limited to select patients with diagnostic uncertainty to avoid unneeded delay and radiation exposure.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2012
Psychiatric-related emergency department visits among children with an autism spectrum disorder.
This study aimed to examine the prevalence and characteristics of psychiatry-related emergency department (ED) visits among children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including the specific reason for visit, as well as the influence of insurance type. ⋯ This study highlights the need for improving community-based psychiatric systems of care for youths with ASD to divert psychiatry-related ED visits, particularly for those children with private insurance.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2012
Foreign bodies in a pediatric emergency department in South Africa.
Foreign body-related pediatric trauma has a high incidence, but studies with large data sets are rare and typically stem from Western settings. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of foreign body-related trauma in children treated at our trauma unit in South Africa. ⋯ Preventive parent education programs targeting foreign body-related injury should mainly focus on both sexes younger than 7 years. Parents should be taught to keep small objects out of reach of young children, especially coins, because these most often result in a trauma unit visit.
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Pediatric emergency care · Dec 2012
Letter Case ReportsAn unusual burn caused by an overheated wheelchair walkway.