Articles Tagged With: pediatric
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PANDAS: Examining the Evidence for Treatment Options
Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) is a proposed disorder first named in 1998 that has been the subject of controversy in the literature. Although the debate has waned somewhat in the United States, it remains a topic of discussion in many European medical journals. A recent systematic review found no evidence for antimicrobial or immunomodulatory treatment for this condition.
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Cervical Spinal Injury
Although spinal injuries are uncommon, they should be considered when children have sustained head or neck trauma or multiple severe injuries. Children with severe or multisystem trauma are more likely to suffer a spinal injury. Thus, emergency department providers should have a lower threshold to immobilize and image such patients to prevent morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the most common pediatric spinal fractures and injuries and optimal management practices.
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Infectious Meningitis: A Focused Review
The effectiveness of the current vaccine schedule has led to a significant decline in the incidence of bacterial meningitis. Delays in recognition and antibiotic administration result in increased morbidity and mortality; therefore, clinicians must maintain a high degree of vigilance for the subtle findings of meningitis, particularly in infants. Current standards for selective imaging, diagnostic testing, and empiric antibiotics are discussed.
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Recognizing Pediatric Sepsis: Early Diagnosis Critical to Recovery
Identifying pediatric sepsis and treating it quickly can be a matter of life and death.
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Pediatric Sepsis and Septic Shock
Pediatric sepsis is a high-stakes diagnosis that requires vigilance to make an early, timely diagnosis. Aggressive resuscitation, including fluids, antibiotics, and vasoactive agents, may be necessary. Rapidly changing standard of care also makes sepsis a critical diagnosis for clinicians.
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Unexpected Benefit of Pneumococcal Vaccine in Decreasing the Burden of Otitis Media
Surveillance data collected prospectively in Israel reveal a decline in progression from pneumococcal carriage to complex otitis media in both vaccine-targeted and non-vaccine serotypes following implementation of routine use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Vaccinating against pneumococcal serotypes causing early-life infections may reduce the risk of subsequently developing complex otitis media due to other organisms.
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Approach to Pediatric Eye Discharge and Periorbital Swelling
Eye problems, particularly conjunctivitis and periorbital swelling, are very common. The majority are managed easily, but more serious disease processes must be considered. Early recognition and prompt treatment of more serious etiologies, such as gonococcal conjunctivitis and herpes simplex virus, can prevent vision loss.
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The Pediatric Airway and Rapid Sequence Intubation in Trauma
This article will discuss in detail the approach to the pediatric trauma patient, with a strict focus on the pediatric airway.
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Pediatric Airway Management
Pediatric patients frequently present with respiratory complaints. Fortunately, most children respond well to simple medical interventions. Understanding a child's anatomic and physiologic differences is critical to effectively preventing respiratory failure and stabilizing a child when it occurs.
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Pediatric Syncope: Current Status of Diagnostic Evaluation and Management
Children may present to the emergency department with a potential syncopal event. Although the presentation is unusual, everyone fears missing a cardiac issue. The authors present a concise review, focusing on the history, physical exam, and ECG, of how to evaluate and manage a child with syncope, differentiating other mimics and discussing the current therapeutic approach to the most common diagnosis.