Pediatric neurology
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Pediatric neurology · Jul 2014
Seizures associated with synthetic cathinone exposures in the pediatric population.
Synthetic cathinones or "bath salts" are an increasing problem in the United States. Their adverse effects are related to sympathomimetic toxicity and seizures have been listed among the side effects. This study details the seizures that occur after synthetic cathinone exposure in the pediatric population. ⋯ Seizures complicated 5.5% of synthetic cathinone exposures in the pediatric population. Fever and acidosis were associated with seizure activity. The presence of fever after a synthetic cathinone exposure may warrant more aggressive monitoring and treatment.
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Pediatric neurology · Jul 2014
Case ReportsUse of ketamine in a newborn with refractory status epilepticus: a case report.
Brain malformations represent a major cause of refractory seizures. Standardized protocols to treat status epilepticus of newborn are not available in the literature. ⋯ In the literature there are few studies regarding the use of ketamine for refractory status epilepticus, and only in nine of these described the use of, ketamine in children (2 months-18 years). This is the first report to document the effective use of ketamine in the newborn with status epilepticus.
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Pediatric neurology · Jun 2014
Review Case Reports Comparative StudyAnti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in Taiwan--a comparison between children and adults.
Since the discovery of antibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in 2007, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is increasingly recognized worldwide. We compare the clinical features of adults and children with this disorder in Taiwan. ⋯ Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is increasingly recognized in Taiwan. It is characterized by its clinical features, predominantly affects females with and/or without an ovarian tumor, and it is a potentially treatable disorder. It is important for neurologists to be familiar with the clinical presentations of the disease in children and young adults.
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Pediatric neurology · Jun 2014
Case ReportsRise in late onset vitamin K deficiency bleeding in young infants because of omission or refusal of prophylaxis at birth.
Newborns are at risk for vitamin K deficiency and subsequent bleeding unless supplemented at birth. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding is an acquired coagulopathy in newborn infants because of accumulation of inactive vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, which leads to an increased bleeding tendency. Supplementation of vitamin K at birth has been recommended in the United States since 1961 and successfully reduced the risk of major bleeding. Refusal or omission of vitamin K prophylaxis is increasing and puts newborn infants at risk for life-threatening bleeding. ⋯ Supplementation of vitamin K at birth for all newborns prevents major hemorrhagic complications, such as intracranial bleeding, due to vitamin K deficiency. Parental refusal of vitamin K is increasingly common. It is critical that health care providers and the public be made aware of the varied presentation of this preventable acquired coagulopathy.