Pain is typically under-treated in children. Intranasal administration of analgesics has the benefits of rapid, needleless administration and a more rapid onset compared to oral administration. Ketamine is used frequently by the intravenous or intramuscular route for procedural sedation due to its efficacy and safety.
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The evaluation and management of febrile neonates remains controversial. Approximately, 10% of these patients will have a serious bacterial infection (SBI). Identification of the febrile neonate at low risk for serious bacterial infection could allow for a reduction in the rates of lumbar puncture, unnecessary antibiotics and hospital admission. The approach to these patients should evolve as the epidemiology changes and new diagnostic tests become available.
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Imaging is one of the most important diagnostic modalities that physicians utilize. In 2013 alone, over 70 million CT scans were performed. Contrast-enhanced imaging can aid in diagnosing certain pathology and improve image quality. There has historically been a concern for post-contrast acute kidney injury (AKI), which is generally considered an increase in creatinine or a decrease in glomerular filtration rate hours to days after contrast administration.
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The sepsis 3 guidelines recommended the use of the Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for early identification of sepsis in adults (Singer 2016, PMID: 26903338). An abbreviated version of SOFA (Quick SOFA or qSOFA) includes variables available at the bedside in the ED (systolic BP, respiratory rate and mental status). The 2017 pediatric surviving sepsis guidelines acknowledge that there is insufficient evidence to endorse a specific sepsis trigger tool and recommend that each institution develop their own recognition bundle (Amer College Critical Care 2017,
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Bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection and the most common cause of admission in infants. Approximately 10% will require some airway support. The ability to identify those at risk for escalation of care would allow for appropriate disposition decisions.
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Prior to this study, the preoperative approach to hypotensive patients with trauma included prompt intravenous infusion of isotonic fluids – the rationale being to sustain tissue perfusion and vital organ function while diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were underway. This was based on animal studies in the 1950s that demonstrated isotonic-fluid resuscitation was an essential component of therapy for severe hypotension due to hemorrhage.
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CT scans are frequently done after minor head injury to evaluate for intracranial hemorrhage. While CT scans are an excellent tool for diagnosing or ruling out this disorder, they are not without harms including radiation exposure, cost and department delays. Much of the time, CTs are negative, or find injuries for which no intervention is ever done and do not clinically affect the patient.
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