Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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Endotracheal tubes are foreign bodies that may injure the upper airway causing laryngeal edema. This in turn may result in failure of extubation in preterm infants. Corticosteroids have been used prophylactically to reduce upper airway obstruction and facilitate extubation. ⋯ Implications for practice Dexamethasone reduces the need for endotracheal reintubation of neonates after a period of IPPV. In view of the lack of effect in low risk infants and the documented and potential side effects, it appears reasonable to restrict its use to infants at increased risk for airway edema and obstruction, such as those who have received repeated or prolonged intubations. Implications for research Issues of dosage and applicability to the extremely low birthweight population could be addressed in future trials. Longer term outcomes such as chronic lung disease, duration of assisted ventilation and length of hospital stay should also be examined.
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To determine the effects of allopurinol in the treatment of chronic prostatitis ⋯ One small trial of allopurinol for treating chronic prostatitis showed improvements in patient-reported symptom improvement, investigator-graded prostate pain, and biochemical parameters. However, the data provided, the measures used, and the statistics presented do not make these findings convincing that changes in urine and prostatic secretion composition regarding purine and pyrimidine bases resulted in the relief of symptoms. Further studies of allopurinol treatment using standardized and validated outcomes measures and analyses are necessary to determine whether allopurinol is effective.
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Betamimetic drugs may promote fetal growth by increasing the availability of nutrients and by decreasing vascular resistance. They may also induce adverse effects via their effects on carbohydrate metabolism. ⋯ There is not enough evidence to evaluate the use of betamimetics in promoting fetal growth. Larger studies are needed to investigate possible adverse effects of long-term betamimetic administration.
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Amodiaquine has been widely used to treat malaria. Due to reports of fatal adverse drug reactions, discontinuation or modification of its use has been suggested. ⋯ There is some evidence to support the continued use of amodiaquine in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, although drug resistance should be considered. Monitoring for toxicity should also continue.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2000
ReviewKinesthetic stimulation for treating apnea in preterm infants.
This section is under preparation and will be included in the next issue. ⋯ There is insufficient evidence to recommend kinesthetic stimulation as treatment for clinically significant apnea of prematurity. Previous reviews have suggested that kinesthetic stimulation is not effective at preventing apnea of prematurity (Henderson-Smart and Osborn 1998) and is not as effective as theophylline at treating clinically significant apnea of prematurity (Osborn and Henderson-Smart 1998).