Pédiatrie
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During 1989, a nosocomial infection rate of 3.15% was observed among the 412 neonates hospitalised for more than 2 days in the paediatric intensive care unit and a special care baby unit in the medical centre of Nice. Certain factors only partially explain the above, and it is probable that the non-invasive methods of monitoring and care and the experienced nursing staff contribute to a great extent to this low frequency of infection.
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Case Reports
[Delayed appearance of left Bochdalek hernia disclosed by intrathoracic gastric perforation].
Late onset congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose. Complications such as intestinal obstruction and digestive perforation may occur. A previously healthy three year-old girl was admitted to hospital with dehydration, shock, and ketoacidosis. ⋯ Hexabrix introduced through a nasogastric tube showed opacification of the left hemithorax attributed to an intrathoracic gastric perforation. She recovered after surgery. Gastrointestinal complications of delayed congenital diaphragmatic hernia must be promptly recognized since surgery should not be delayed.
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Local anaesthesia may consist of a sensitive and a motor blockade. It is essentially used in human clinic for the sensitive blockade which is induced. All techniques or nearly are possible in regional anaesthesia for children if they are practised with discernment by a physician accustomed to the same techniques in adults. ⋯ The main advantages consist in abolition of intra- and postoperative pain, calm and comfort but also in a decrease of respiratory complications. There are two leading risks: infectious and especially toxic after an accidental injection of bupivacaine. These techniques should be systematically proposed but carefully carried out in all suffering children.
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Acute abdominal pain (AAP) is one of the most frequent causes of admission to an emergency department of a childrens' hospital. The diagnosis viewed with the most apprehension is acute appendicitis. ⋯ The study of 12 symptoms showed an elevated sensitivity for each one (92-50%), but a low positive predictive value (72-12%). Rigid adhesion to a diagnostic score would have led to unnecessary medical examination.
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To determine the importance of intracranial hypertension in central nervous system acute infections, we studied intracranial pressure (ICP) in 27 patients, aged 45 days to 13 years. Fourteen had meningitis and 13 had encephalitis; all were in deep coma with a Glasgow Coma Scale 7 or less. Intracranial hypertension defined by a mean ICP above 15 mm Hg was observed in 12 patients with meningitis (86%) and in 9 with encephalitis (69%). ⋯ A striking difference is noted between survivors and non-survivors who had a very high maximal ICP with a severe reduction in cerebral perfusion pressure. Intracranial hypertension occurred in all patients with acute primitive encephalitis but only in 3/7 patients with post-infectious encephalitis. ICP monitoring seems to be important in the comatose forms of bacterial meningitis in the early period, herpes encephalitis and postinfectious encephalitis with severe status epilepticus.