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therapy

Does atomoxetine aggravate mood problems?

2 May, 08 | by BMJ Group

ATX chemical compoundA 13 year old boy with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) comes to the clinic with his mother for a review. He was started on atomoxetine 6 weeks prior to this visit for hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and poor concentration. The boy was admitted in the hospital one week ago for changed behaviour, disorientation, irrelevant speech and self-harming behaviour. He was reported as very aggressive and hostile towards other children and adults. In past use of stimulant medication was not considered because of the risk of abuse and drug diversion. Mother correlates this hospitalization due to side effect of atomoxetine. She asks your opinion about increased aggression and hostility related to atomoxetine .

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Leave appendiceal masses alone.

27 Feb, 08 | by Bob Phillips

Acute appendicitisA 5 year old boy was admitted to a rural New Zealand hospital with 10 day history of abdominal pain. The pain was localised to the RIF with guarding and examination revealed a palpable mass in the RIF. He had previously presented with a 1 day history of severe abdominal pain and fever and had been discharged the following day with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis. He was transferred to the tertiary hospital and a diagnosis was made on ultrasound scan of appendiceal mass with abscess. His condition was stable. He was commenced on conservative management and supportive care with intravenous (iv) antibiotics followed by a 2 week course of oral antibiotics. He responded well to conservative management and was scheduled for appendectomy after an interval of 6-8 weeks. You wonder whether it is necessary, now he is well, for him to have an appendectomy.

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No dental antibiotic prophylaxis for VP shunts.

12 Feb, 08 | by Bob Phillips

During a routine clinic follow-up, a patient with an indwelling ventriculo-peritoneal shunt enquires whether prophylactic antibiotics are necessary prior to routine dental hygiene work. He produces a letter from his dentist enquiring the same.

Dr Max Nathan of Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK has had this happen … has it happened to you? And what did you do?

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Question: Melatonin for ADHD?

11 Jan, 08 | by Bob Phillips

Melatonin Room

Does melatonin improve sleep pattern in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

Adam is an 8 year old boy with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who you see with his mother in your paediatric outpatient clinic. She explains that life is being made increasingly stressful for the whole family as Adam is having difficulty getting off to sleep. It often takes him several hours to calm down and go to sleep, and the day after he gets angry and seems to be tired all the time. She has seen a recent TV programme that suggested that melatonin may be helpful for children with ADHD.
Are the television producers correct? If melatonin is prescribed for Adam, will it be harmful or helpful in improving his sleep?

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Question: ECMO - any benefit for neonates?

10 Dec, 07 | by Bob Phillips

ECMO kitDoes extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation improve survival for severely unwell neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?

A neonate on the intensive care unit with an isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia is failing on conventional ventilation. There are no exclusion criteria for extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Should the neonate be transferred for ECMO?
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Question: How to diagnose and treat pyelonephritis

28 Nov, 07 | by Bob Phillips

Renal USS - spot the bad oneIn children suspected of having a UTI, what clinical and radiological features diagnoses pylonephritis, and what mode of antibiotic treatment is necessary to produce clinical improvement and avoid chronic renal impairment?

With the publication of the NICE guidance in the UK on the management of UTI in childhood, many paediatricians have been spurred to review their understanding of the evidence underpinning certain aspects of the clinical pathway. more…

Question: Aciclovir for herpetic gingivostomatisis?

22 Nov, 07 | by Bob Phillips

ACV moleculeDoes oral aciclovir improve clinical outcome in immunocompetent children with primary herpes simplex gingivostomatitis?

A 3 year old previously well boy presents with a fever of 38.6ºc and several ulcers and erosions extending from his lips, along the tongue and cheek, to the back of the throat. The lesions have all appeared within the last 2 days. He has been crying inconsolably over the past 24 hours and is refusing food and drink. Is the use of oral aciclovir is indicated for primary herpes gingivostomatitis in children?

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Azithromycin for chest infections in severe CP?

22 Oct, 07 | by BMJ Group

Is the frequency of recurrent chest infections, in children with chronic neurological problems, reduced by prophylactic Azithromycin?
You see Jonny, an 8 yr old boy with severe dystonic CP as a result of his premature birth at 26 wks gestation with another chest infection. He is mainly gastrostomy fed and had a Nissen’s fundoplication 5 yrs ago at the same time his gastrostomy was inserted. He has copious secretions and a poor cough reflex; these are made worse by Nitrazepam he requires for his dystonia. Evidence from previous barium studies and swallow assessments show that he chronically aspirates his secretions. He has no symptoms of upper airway obstruction. He has had increasingly frequent lower respiratory tract infections over the last year, requiring admission and intra-venous antibiotics (a total of four times in 2006). His weight and height have fallen from the 10th to the 3rd percentile. A chest x-ray shows chronic changes suggestive of underlying bronchiectasis. Immune function and Sweat test are normal. He awaits a CT scan. He has daily physiotherapy and regular suction and usually produces copious muco-purulent secretions. He is on maximal anti-reflux medication already. Would prophylactic Azithromycin reduce his risk of further LRTI? Or might it increase growth of multi resistant organisms within his sputum?

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GnRH analogues to prevent ovarian failure?

22 Oct, 07 | by BMJ Group

Should gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue be administered to prevent premature ovarian failure in young women with systemic lupus erythematosus on cyclophosphamide therapy?
A 15 year old girl with acute renal failure was found to have class IV systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis on renal biopsy. A decision was taken to start her on the routine National Institute Health protocol of pulsed methyl-prednisolone and monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide (CYC) (0.5–1.0 g/m2 of body surface area). With her post pubertal status and the possibility of CYC induced gonadal toxicity, the question was raised as to whether she should be put on gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue ( GnRH-a ) therapy for ovarian protection.

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Question: Insulin for hyperglycaemic PICU patients?

9 Oct, 07 | by Bob Phillips

Should paediatric critically ill patients receive insulin therapy to maintain strict normoglycaemia?

Blood sugar monitorJoseph, a 4 year old boy with septic shock, lactic acidosis and multi-organ failure has been admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit. Mechanical ventilation, vaso-active support, and renal replacement therapy (CVVHD) are initiated. His serum glucose level is 10.5 mmol/l. The senior consultant decides to order insulin therapy in order to maintain strict normoglycaemia, but the junior fellow argues that there is no evidence that strict normoglycaemia improves outcome in critically ill children.

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