[Characteristics and resource use of emergency department users older than 75 years. Results from a French national study].

Background: Because the elderly tend to have complex and multiple diseases, they are likely to use emergency department (ED) resources at higher rates than other age groups. This study sought to determine the characteristics and resource use of the elderly patients (>or=75 years old) visiting EDs in France and assessed the effect of age on resource use.

Methods: The sample was selected from the DREES prospective study of 150 French EDs for one week in 2002.

[Cardiac surgery in France (supply, service and needs response): a national survey].

This paper describes the results of a national study of the 70 french cardiac surgery units. This study was required by the ministry of health in order to prepare the planning process of cardiac surgery in France. Results concerning the year 1994 show important regional variations of resources among the country.

[Handicaps and the perinatal period. II. Perinatal pathology and severe deficiencies].

Background: In the last two decades, the infant mortality rate has dramatically declined. But improved management of newborns may induce an increased prevalence of neurodevelopmental handicaps. The aim of this paper is to estimate the rate of major disabilities and their relationships to perinatal events.

[Handicaps in the perinatal period. I. Perinatal pathology and difficulties in school].

Background: Major handicaps are closely related to perinatal events. However, relationship of these events with other moderate disabilities such as school problems are still unclear.

Population And Methods: A representative sample of 1,408 children at school age and born in Lorraine in 1984 was studied.