Bilateral pulmonary artery banding in higher risk neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives: Limited data on performing bilateral pulmonary artery banding (BPAB) before stage 1 Norwood procedure suggest that some patients may benefit through the postponement of the major cardiopulmonary bypass procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of BPAB in the surgical management of high-risk patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS).

Methods: A retrospective review of all high-risk neonates with HLHS who underwent BPAB at our institution was performed.

Prediction and Comparison of Fentanyl Infusion Pharmacokinetics in Obese and Nonobese Children.

Objectives: To compare fentanyl infusion pharmacokinetic variables in obese children and nonobese children.

Design: A pharmacokinetic simulation study.

Setting: We used a semi-physiologically based pharmacokinetic model to generate fentanyl pharmacokinetic variables.

Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy for Cerebral Vasculitis Associated with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tick-borne illness that is prevalent in the south and the central United States, primarily during the summer months. Patients with delayed diagnosis can experience increased mortality and morbidity, particularly poor neurological outcome. We present a case of a 7-year-old girl with Rocky Mountain spotted fever who was admitted with severe neurological changes and septic shock on day 8 of illness.

Acute Kidney Injury in a Child Receiving Vancomycin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam.

Recent reports have described increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adults receiving concomitant vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam, but few reports exist in children. We describe an 8-year-old girl who was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with respiratory distress secondary to pneumonia. She began treatment with vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam.

Research training among pediatric residency programs: a national assessment.

Purpose: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) states that "residents should participate in scholarly activity." However, there is little guidance for effectively integrating scholarly activity into residency. This study was conducted to understand how pediatric residency programs meet ACGME requirements and to identify characteristics of successful programs.