Cantrellbaxter2360

S100B levels were significantly higher in TBI group compared with those with musculoskeletal injury only (median, 113.2 pg/mL vs 18 pg/mL; P = 0.021). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for S100B in predicting SBI was 0.675; the optimum threshold for S100B to achieve the optimum sensitivity and specificity of SBI was at 86.9 pg/mL for SBI versus no injury group. CONCLUSIONS S100B levels in saliva were higher in children with TBI and may be predictive of SBI identified by presence of computed tomography abnormalities. Larger studies are needed to replicate our findings in using a noninvasive diagnostic measure for children with TBI and SBI.OBJECTIVES Children with intestinal failure (IF) and fever are frequently bacteremic, but risk factors for development of sepsis in this population are not well delineated. Our objective was to determine what clinical factors available on arrival to the emergency department (ED), including commonly used vital sign thresholds, predicted the subsequent development of severe sepsis in children with IF and fever. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of children younger than 21 years with IF presenting to a tertiary care ED between 2010 and 2016 with fever who did not have hypotensive septic shock on arrival. The primary outcome was development of severe sepsis within 24 hours of ED arrival, as defined by consensus criteria. We identified predictors of severe sepsis using both univariate and multivariate models and calculated the test characteristics of 3 different sets of vital sign criteria in determining risk of severe sepsis. RESULTS In 26 (9.4%) of 278 encounters, the patient developed severe sepsis within 24 hours of arrival to the ED; 3 were excluded due to hypotensive shock on arrival. Predictors of severe sepsis included history of intestinal pseudo-obstruction (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-30.2) and higher initial temperature (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.3). The 3 sets of vital sign criteria had widely varying sensitivity and specificity in identifying development of severe sepsis. CONCLUSIONS History of intestinal pseudo-obstruction and higher fever predicted increased risk of severe sepsis among children with IF and fever presenting to an ED. No single set of vital sign criteria had both high sensitivity and specificity for this diagnosis.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Dexamethasone has emerged as a viable alternative to prednisone in the treatment of pediatric acute asthma exacerbations, with the potential for improved compliance secondary to decreased frequency of dosing, improved taste, and decreased cost. The objective of this study is to identify whether providers are prescribing dexamethasone for pediatric acute asthma exacerbations. Secondary objectives are to describe variation in practice between different specialties and to identify the commonly used dosing and frequency for dexamethasone. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive study with an anonymous, web-based survey (surveymonkey.com). The survey population included all fellowship program directors listed on FRIEDA Online for pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric pulmonology, and allergy and immunology, and emergency medicine residency directors through the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors listserv. Program directors were contacted via e-mail up to 5 times for 3 months. RESULTS Overall, 300 respondents (70% of the program directors) completed the survey. Response rates by specialty varied from 60% to 94%. One third of providers are using dexamethasone, whereas just more than half of providers (51%) are prescribing a 5-day prednisone course. The preferred maximum dose for dexamethasone is 10 mg (45%), with 82% using a dose of 0.6 mg/kg.Pediatric emergency medicine fellowship directors demonstrated a preference for dexamethasone (59%). Prednisone is favored by emergency medicine (56%), pediatric pulmonology (89%), and allergy and immunology (93%) program directors. CONCLUSIONS Although most pediatric emergency medicine academic physicians have transitioned to using dexamethasone to treat acute pediatric asthma exacerbations, other specialties continue to favor prednisone.Abdominal pain is a common presentation in the pediatric emergency department and may pose a diagnostic challenge to the physician. Although most abdominal pain is benign, the presence of abdominal pain may represent a surgical emergency. We present an atypical presentation of perforated appendicitis in a child with 2 weeks of abdominal pain, in whom point-of-care ultrasound expedited diagnosis and patient disposition. We then recommend a diagnostic approach for using point-of-care ultrasound in a pediatric patient with undifferentiated abdominal pain.BACKGROUND Seymour fractures are important to recognize and treat promptly because injuries may result in growth disturbance, nail deformity, or infection. We hypothesize that the administration of antibiotics within 24 hours of injury will be associated with a decreased rate of infection. METHODS Patients younger than 18 years were included if clinical examination and radiographs demonstrated a Seymour fracture. The timing of antibiotic administration and treatment details were reviewed. The presence of superficial infections or radiographic evidence of osteomyelitis was recorded. RESULTS A total of 52 patients with 54 fracture that had greater than 30 days of follow-up and were included in data analysis. The average age at the time of injury was 10.2 years. Thirty-four (63%) of 54 patients were most commonly injured secondary to a crush type mechanism. The overall infection rate was 27.3% (15/54 fractures). Among the 29 fractures that received antibiotics within 24 hours of injury, 2 infections (6.9%) were noted at final follow-up. Delayed administration of antibiotics beyond 24 hours postinjury was observed in 17 fractures and was associated with an increased infection rate of 76.5% (13/17, P = 0.000). alpha-Naphthoflavone CONCLUSIONS Early administration of antibiotics within 24 hours of injury is associated with a reduction in the development of infections. Patients with delayed antibiotic administration may be at high risk for early superficial infection or osteomyelitis. This study highlights the importance of early identification and appropriate treatment of Seymour fractures including the prompt administration of antibiotics following injury.