Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2012
Multicenter StudyConducted electrical weapon (TASER) use against minors: a shocking analysis.
Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) such as the TASER are often used by law enforcement (LE) personnel during suspect apprehension. Previous studies have reported an excellent safety profile and few adverse outcomes with CEW use in adults. We analyzed the safety and injury profile of CEWs when used during LE apprehension of children and adolescents, a potentially vulnerable population. ⋯ None of the minor suspects studied sustained significant injury, and only 20% reported minor injuries, mostly from the expected probe puncture sites. These data suggest that adolescents are not at a substantially higher risk than adults for serious injuries after CEW use.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2012
Etomidate for short pediatric procedures in the emergency department.
This study aimed to prospectively determine the etomidate dose associated with adequate sedation and few significant respiratory events for procedures of short duration in children. ⋯ For short-duration painful emergency department procedures, etomidate 0.2 mg/kg intravenously administered after fentanyl was associated with effective sedation, successful procedural completion, and readily managed respiratory adverse events in children.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2012
Gastrointestinal perforations in neonatal period: experience over 10 years.
This report describes our experience concerning gastrointestinal perforation due to necrotizing enterocolitis during a 10-year period. ⋯ Gastrointestinal perforation is still connected with a high mortality rate, with necrotizing enterocolitis being the main cause of death. The neonates who did not undergo surgery all died.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2012
Pediatric prehospital evaluation of NYC respiratory arrest survival (PHENYCS).
The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, epidemiology, and characteristics associated with survival of children younger than 18 years who had an out-of-hospital respiratory arrest (OOHRA) during a 1-year period in a large urban area. ⋯ Most OOHRAs occurred at home, and bystander CPR occurred infrequently. The majority of children in OOHRA survived. Strategies to increase the rate of bystander CPR, especially by family members, are needed. Out-of-hospital RAs are a large proportion of all arrests in children. Future studies of pediatric arrest should include RA as well as cardiac arrest.
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Pediatric emergency care · Sep 2012
Case ReportsRespiratory failure caused by a suspicious white powder: a case report of intentional methadone poisoning in an infant.
Methadone exposures in children have increased as the drug has gained more prevalence in the treatment of adult narcotic dependency. Previous literature concerning pediatric methadone ingestion has focused primarily on unintentional ingestions. We describe a 2-month-old male infant presenting with respiratory failure from suspected intentional methadone administration. ⋯ We believe the infant was intentionally given methadone at home by his mother for these symptoms. It is important for pediatric providers to be vigilant of households with methadone present. Family-centered education on prevention of methadone ingestion (eg, safe storage) and anticipatory guidance on the signs, symptoms, and treatment of toxicity are key.