Pediatrics
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Designer drugs have been problematic over the years. Products such as K2 and Spice, which contain synthetic cannabinoids, are marketed as incense and are widely available on the Internet and at various specialty shops. The effects are reported as cannabis-like after smoking them. ⋯ Coronary angiography was performed, and the results were normal for the first 2 patients. The incidence of ST-elevation MI is low among teenagers, and association with drug use should be suspected. Public education and awareness need to be heightened about the possible health implications of K2.
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 70 000 to 100 000 people in the United States, and 2000 infants are born with the disease each year. The purpose of this study was to review the quality of the literature for preventive interventions and treatment of complications for children with SCD to facilitate the use of evidence-based medicine in clinical practice and identify areas in need of additional research. ⋯ Although significant strides have been made in the care of children with SCD in the past 2 decades, more research needs to be performed, especially for acute events associated with SCD, to ensure that the health and well-being of children with SCD continues to improve.
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Preterm infants with hypotension (mean arterial blood pressure [MABP] < gestational age [GA]) are treated with volume expansion and/or dopamine to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion/oxygenation. We used near-infrared spectroscopy to analyze the effects of volume expansion and dopamine on cerebral oxygenation in hypotensive preterm infants without patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). ⋯ Volume expansion and additional dopamine do not cause any significant change in rSco(2) or cFTOE in hypotensive preterm infants without PDA. We speculate that very preterm infants with hypotension but without signs of a compromised cerebral oxygenation and systemic perfusion might not be in need of antihypotensive therapy.
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The pediatric primary care provider in the medical home has a central and unique role in the care of children with spina bifida. The primary care provider addresses not only the typical issues of preventive and acute health care but also the needs specific to these children. ⋯ The medical home provider is essential in supporting the family and advocating for the child from the time of entry into the practice through adolescence, which includes transition and transfer to adult health care. This report reviews aspects of care specific to the infant with spina bifida (particularly myelomeningocele) that will facilitate optimal medical, functional, and developmental outcomes.
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To prospectively evaluate the effect of a comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship program on antimicrobial use, physician interventions, patient outcomes, and rates of antimicrobial resistance. ⋯ The successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship strategies had a significant impact on reducing targeted- and nontargeted-antimicrobial use, improving quality of care of hospitalized children and preventing emergence of resistance.