Pediatric emergency care
-
Cold urticaria (CU) is a subtype of physical urticaria characterized by the development of urticaria and angioedema after cold exposure. Symptoms typically occur minutes after skin exposure to cold air, liquids, and objects. ⋯ The greatest risk with this kind of urticaria is the development of systemic reaction resulting in a hemodynamic collapse during generalized cold exposure. We report a case of a patient who developed CU and anaphylaxis during swimming and diving in the sea.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Jan 2014
ReviewA comprehensive approach to pediatric injury prevention in the emergency department.
Injury is the leading cause of pediatric mortality and long-term disability. Although the primary care setting has traditionally been considered as the main venue to address injury anticipatory guidance, an emergency department (ED) visit may serve as a "teachable moment" because most injured children are cared for in this setting and the experience may elicit a greater chance of behavior change. ⋯ These adjunct efforts and activities focus on primary injury prevention (screening for and promoting safe behaviors and collecting data to survey high-risk community locations), secondary prevention (use of safety products to mitigate injury), and tertiary prevention (maximizing injury care and minimizing injury sequelae). This review will describe several ways an ED can help to mitigate the epidemic of pediatric injuries through surveillance, screening, education, product disbursement, community engagement, and quality improvement efforts.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Jan 2014
Case ReportsThyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a pediatric patient.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a reversible metabolic disorder that is characterized by acute muscle weakness and hypokalemia. It predominantly affects males of Asian descent. ⋯ Laboratory test results initially revealed marked hypokalemia and later confirmed associated hyperthyroidism. Correction of the hypokalemia reversed the patient's weakness in the emergency department.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Jan 2014
Multicenter StudyInterhospital Pediatric Patient Transfers-Factors Influencing Rapid Disposition After Transfer.
The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, demographics, and clinical course of pediatric patients rapidly discharged after transfer from outlying emergency departments (EDs) to a tertiary care pediatric ED (PED) with no additional diagnostic or therapeutic actions. ⋯ Pediatric patients transferred from outlying community EDs to a PED frequently required little or no additional care. Referring hospital ED type and physician training type are associated with the need for additional workup at the pediatric emergency room.
-
Pediatric emergency care · Jan 2014
Case ReportsAcute-onset choreiform movements in a previously healthy 4-year-old patient.
We report the case of 4-year-old male with sinus venous thrombosis leading to bilateral thalamic and basal ganglia strokes presenting as generalized choreiform movements. Acute-onset chorea in the pediatric population is most commonly associated with Sydenham chorea, which is a manifestation of acute rheumatic fever. Chorea is a much less commonly noted sign of stroke, and when it occurs, it typically presents as hemichorea. Given the unlikely presentation, rapid and appropriate imaging was the key to diagnosis.