PECARN prediction rule for cervical spine imaging of children presenting to the emergency department with blunt trauma: a multicentre prospective observational study.

Background: Cervical spine injuries in children are uncommon but potentially devastating; however, indiscriminate neck imaging after trauma unnecessarily exposes children to ionising radiation. The aim of this study was to derive and validate a paediatric clinical prediction rule that can be incorporated into an algorithm to guide radiographic screening for cervical spine injury among children in the emergency department.

Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, we screened children aged 0-17 years presenting with known or suspected blunt trauma at 18 specialised children's emergency departments in hospitals in the USA affiliated with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN).

The Pediatric Submersion Score Predicts Children at Low Risk for Injury Following Submersions.

Objectives: Pediatric submersion victims often require admission. We wanted to identify a cohort of children at low risk for submersion-related injury who can be safely discharged from the emergency department (ED) after a period of observation.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective derivation/validation cross-sectional study of children (0-18 years) who presented postsubmersion to a tertiary care, children's hospital ED from 2008 to 2015.

Characteristics and outcomes of acute pediatric blunt torso trauma based on injury intent.

Introduction: Blunt trauma is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity. We compared injuries, interventions and outcomes of acute pediatric blunt torso trauma based on intent.

Methods: We analyzed de-identified data from a prospective, multi-center emergency department (ED)-based observational cohort of children under age eighteen.

Management of pediatric snake bites: are we doing too much?

Background: The optimal management of children with snake bite injuries is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to review the use of antivenom, diagnostic tests, and antibiotics in children bitten by venomous snakes in a specific geographic region (Southeast Texas).

Methods: This is a retrospective single-center review of all patients with snake bite injury from 1/2006 to 6/2012.