Improving paediatric advance care planning: Results of a learning needs analysis and simulation-based education programme.

Aim: To assess clinicians' experience, attitudes and confidence with advance care planning (ACP) at a quaternary paediatric referral centre using a learning-needs survey, and then apply this information to develop and examine the feasibility of simulation-based education for this topic.

Methods: An electronic learning-needs survey was distributed to medical, nursing and allied health clinicians from departments who provide primary care for children with life-limiting conditions. Results were incorporated into the design of a simulation-based education session which was piloted with the Royal Children's Hospital Oncology Department.

Medical retrieval and needs of infants with bronchiolitis: an analysis by gestational age.

Aim: Viral bronchiolitis is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in children less than 12 months of age. Prematurity is an independent risk factor for disease severity. Many infected infants require hospitalisation and those living in regional centres frequently require transfer to metropolitan hospitals capable of providing assisted ventilation.

Use of continuous positive airway pressure during stabilisation and retrieval of infants with suspected bronchiolitis.

Aim: Infants with viral bronchiolitis are often hospitalised with a proportion requiring respiratory support. The aim of this review was to examine the use of nasal prong continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as a management strategy for infants with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis, who required stabilisation and transport to a tertiary centre.

Method: A retrospective audit of infants with bronchiolitis requiring CPAP during transport between January 2003 and June 2007.

Impact of introducing binasal continuous positive airway pressure for acute respiratory distress in newborns during retrieval: Experience from Western Australia.

Aim: We aimed to review the impact of introducing binasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for acute respiratory distress in newborns ≥32 weeks gestation during retrieval in Western Australia.

Methods: Retrospective review of newborns ≥32 weeks gestation with acute respiratory distress, transported by the Western Australian Neonatal Transport Service between February 2002 and December 2004.

Results: Respiratory management of 369 newborns was examined.

Intracerebral blood and MRS in neonatal nonketotic hyperglycinemia.

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia is an inborn error of glycine metabolism leading to the accumulation of glycine in the brain. The neonatal form presents in the first days after birth with encephalopathy, seizures. and characteristic "hiccups.

Fetal pulmonary artery diameter measurements as a predictor of morbidity in antenatally diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a prospective study.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the size and growth of fetal pulmonary artery diameters in congenital diaphragmatic hernia and assess their correlation with postnatal survival and morbidity outcomes.

Study Design: Prospective antenatal echocardiographic examination of fetal branch pulmonary arteries were correlated with postnatal survival and respiratory morbidity in cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Receiver operator curves were developed to assess their utilization as predictors of respiratory morbidity and survival.

Outcomes of congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a population-based study in Western Australia.

Objectives: There have been many recent reports of improved survival rates for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), largely derived from institution-based data. These are often flawed by case selection bias. The objectives of this study were to document the true incidence, management, and outcomes of CDH in a geographically defined population over a 12-year period and to determine the changing trends in these over time.