Current opinion in pediatrics
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This review discusses the management of status epilepticus in children, including both anticonvulsant medications and overall management approaches. ⋯ Status epilepticus is a common neurologic emergency in children and requires rapid intervention. Having a predetermined status epilepticus management pathway can expedite management.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Dec 2014
ReviewContinuous electroencephalography for seizures and status epilepticus.
To discuss the use of continuous video-electroencephalographic (cEEG) monitoring among critically ill children at risk for electrographic seizures and status epilepticus. ⋯ Certain high-risk children frequently experience electrographic seizures and status epilepticus, often without clinical signs, necessitating the use of cEEG monitoring for their diagnosis and management. Although an increasing electrographic seizure burden and status epilepticus are independently associated with worse outcome, further studies are needed to determine whether aggressive use of antiepileptic drugs to reduce seizure burden can improve outcome.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Oct 2014
ReviewPertussis: still a cause of death, seven decades into vaccination.
We review the resurgence of pertussis, including recent trends in epidemiology and reasons for the resurgence, as well as updated vaccination schedules and recommendations. ⋯ The resurgence of pertussis is a multifaceted problem, but the implementation of immunization for all age groups is of utmost importance.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Aug 2014
ReviewRapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation: review and update.
The focus of this review is to compare and contrast two orphan disorders of late-onset hypoventilation. Specifically, rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) are distinct in presentation, pathophysiology, and etiology. ⋯ The etiology of ROHHAD continues to be elusive. The hope is that, with growing recognition, discussion, and investigation into the overlap of ROHHAD with disorders outside congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, further advancement will be made.
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Children and their parents typically present to pediatricians to discuss treatment options for melanocytic nevi, nevus sebaceus, port-wine stains, and hemangiomas. Each of these conditions may be medically managed, but in some situations surgical intervention may be preferable. ⋯ Excisional and/or laser surgery are indicated for certain common dermatologic conditions in children, although the optimal timing of these interventions is often subjective. Pediatricians should be familiar with why and when to refer patients for surgery of these common dermatological conditions.