Pediatrics
-
A total of 130 patients with uncomplicated short stature (4 to 17 years of age) were treated with oxandrolone, 0.25 mg/kg/day, for up to four years. Oxandrolone therapy resulted in a two-fold increase in mean growth velocity in the first six months of therapy and was an effective growth stimulant for the full four-year period. ⋯ Assessment of the contribution of oxandrolone therapy to the latter group is difficult because of inadequate methodology and the wide variation in individual growth patterns. Taken in their entirety, the data suggest that oxandrolone is useful in the prolonged treatment of uncomplicated short stature and is not associated with undesirable acceleration of skeletal maturation.
-
Comparative Study
Management of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children: a reevaluation of postural drainage and bronchoscopy.
The efficacy of the inhalation-postural drainage technique for removal of aspirated foreign bodies was compared with that of bronchoscopy in 76 children. Twelve of 49 children on postural drainage coughed out the foreign body (25%); the other 37 required bronchoscopy. The foreign body was successfully removed in 56 of 63 children who were bronchoscoped (89%). ⋯ If unsuccessful after several treatments, however, the technique should be abandoned, and bronchoscopy performed. Delay of foreign body removal beyond 24 hours may be associated with increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. With recent improvements in pediatric endoscopic instruments, the efficacy of bronchoscopy exceeds 90%.