Journal of pediatric surgery
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Comparative Study
Decompressive laparotomy for abdominal compartment syndrome in children: before it is too late.
Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in children is an infrequently reported, rapidly progressive, and often lethal condition underappreciated in the pediatric population. This underrecognition can result in a critical delay in diagnosis causing increased morbidity and mortality. This study examines the clinical course of patients treated for ACS at our institution. ⋯ Abdominal compartment syndrome in children carries a high mortality and may be a consequence of common childhood diseases such as enterocolitis. The diagnosis of ACS and the potential need for emergent decompressive laparotomy may be infrequently discussed in the pediatric literature. Increased awareness of ACS may promote earlier diagnosis, treatment, and possibly improve outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Perforated appendicitis in children: equal access to care eliminates racial and socioeconomic disparities.
The aim of the study was to determine whether equal access to health care eliminates racial and socioeconomic disparities in appendicitis outcomes. ⋯ Lower socioeconomic background and minority status did not correlate with higher appendiceal perforation rates or a clinically longer LOH in children with equal access to care. The previously reported disparities in pediatric appendicitis outcome are preventable with equal access to care.