Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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A number of different anticonvulsants are used to control eclamptic fits and to prevent future seizures. ⋯ Magnesium sulphate appears to be substantially more effective than diazepam for treatment of eclampsia.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewRescue high frequency oscillatory ventilation versus conventional ventilation for pulmonary dysfunction in preterm infants.
This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. ⋯ There is insufficient information on the use of rescue HFOV to make recommendations for practice. The small amount of data that exists suggest that harm might outweigh any benefit. Any future use of HFOV as rescue therapy for preterm infants with severe RDS should be within randomized controlled trials and address important outcomes such as longer term pulmonary and neurological function.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewAnti-epileptic drugs for preventing seizures following acute traumatic brain injury.
Seizure activity in the early post-traumatic period following head injury may cause secondary brain damage as a result of increased metabolic demands, raised intracranial pressure and excess neurotransmitter release. ⋯ Prophylactic anti-epileptics are effective in reducing early seizures, but there is no evidence that treatment with prophylactic anti-epileptics reduces the occurrence of late seizures, or has any effect on death and neurological disability. Insufficient evidence is available to establish the net benefit of prophylactic treatment at any time after injury.
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To track down the best estimate of efficacy of the various conservative management strategies for mechanical neck disorders, a four-part systematic review was prepared. Part four investigates the efficacy of patient education strategies as the therapeutic intervention. ⋯ Patient education utilising individualised or group instructional strategies has not been shown to be beneficial in reducing pain for mechanical neck disorders.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewProphylactic methylxanthine for preventing of apnea in preterm infants.
Recurrent apnea is common in preterm infants, particularly at very early gestational ages. These episodes of loss of effective breathing can lead to hypoxemia and bradycardia which may be severe enough to require resuscitation including use of positive pressure ventilation. In infants with apnea, methylxanthines have been successful as treatment to prevent further episodes. It is possible that prophylactic therapy, given to all very preterm infants from soon after birth, might prevent apnea and its associated hypoxemia and bradycardia. ⋯ The results of this review do not support the use of prophylactic caffeine for preterm infants at risk of apnea, bradycardia or hypoxemic episodes. Any future studies need to examine the effects of prophylactic methylxanthines in preterm infants at higher risk of apnea, bradycardia or hypoxemic episodes. This should include examination of important clinical outcomes such as need for IPPV, length of hospital stay and long term development.