Anales españoles de pediatría
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We present our experience with 55 children in which we performed flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) using an Olympus BF3C20 instrument and by using sedation and local anaesthesia or laryngeal mask airway. Indications for performing this procedure were stridor, opportunist or recurrent pneumonia, persistent atelectasis, a suspected foreign body, confirmation of endobronchial tuberculosis and evaluation of tracheostomy. ⋯ One child with severe hypoxia presented respiratory arrest and need intubation. Our results suggest that FFB is safe, has advantages over rigid bronchoscopy, avoids general anaesthetic and with laryngeal mask airway is possible to perform in patients of every age.
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We have studied 50 children affected with acute meningococcal disease (AMD). The ages of the children varied between 4 months and 12.58 years, with a mean age of 4.58 years. By using the shock state and DIC syndrome, both of which are indications of the severity of the illness, an evaluation of the discriminatory capacity was done with regard to significantly associate variables and 3 scores, Bjorvatn, Leclerc and PRISM, throughout 8 intervals within the first 48 hours of hospital treatment. ⋯ Leukopenia and disseminated purpura were the best variables in order to discriminate shock and DIC, respectively. The greatest capacity for the diagnosis of the shock state and DIC syndrome were registered during the 0-6 hour period and the 0-12 hour period, respectively. The prognosis improved if the child remained alive 12 hours after the treatment had begun.