Current opinion in pediatrics
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Aug 2014
ReviewWhat to do when she's bleeding through: the recognition, evaluation, and management of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents.
This article reviews the current understanding and management of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in adolescents. The readers will learn a practical approach to the evaluation and treatment of mild-to-severe uterine bleeding. ⋯ AUB is a common adolescent complaint that can vary from mild to life-threatening if not recognized and treated promptly. This article reviews the appropriate assessment and management of AUB and proposes a practical algorithm that can be used in an office or hospital setting.
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To summarize our current understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of acute traumatic coagulopathy in children. ⋯ Prospective studies are needed to determine how to best diagnose and manage acute traumatic coagulopathy in children.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2014
ReviewNuking the radiation: minimizing radiation exposure in the evaluation of pediatric blunt trauma.
Our objective is to highlight recent literature investigating low-radiation diagnostic strategies in the evaluation of pediatric trauma. ⋯ More research is needed in development of pediatric-specific clinical decision rules and risk stratification and in testing low-radiation diagnostic modalities in the pediatric trauma population.
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Curr. Opin. Pediatr. · Jun 2014
ReviewA paradigm shift in the treatment of extreme prematurity: the artificial placenta.
Extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs), born at less than 28 weeks' estimated gestational age, suffer the greatest consequences of prematurity. There have been significant advances in their care over the last several decades, but the prospects for major advances within traditional treatment modalities appear limited. An artificial placenta using extracorporeal life support (ECLS) has been investigated in the laboratory as a new advance in the treatment of ELGANs. We review the concept of an artificial placenta, the purported benefits, and the most recent research efforts in this area. ⋯ ELGANs suffer the greatest morbidity and mortality of prematurity, and are poised to benefit from a paradigm shift in the treatment. Although challenges remain, the artificial placenta is feasible. An artificial placenta would not only protect ELGANs from the complications of mechanical ventilation, but also support their development until a stage of greater maturity, preparing them for a life free of the sequelae of prematurity.