Randomized clinical trial of high concentration versus titrated oxygen use in pediatric asthma.

Objective: To compare the effects of high concentration to titrated oxygen therapy (HCOT) on transcutaneous carbon dioxide (PtCO ) level in pediatric asthma exacerbation. Titrated oxygen therapy (TOT) in acute asthma will avoid a rise in PtCO in the pediatric population.

Method: The study design is a prospective, randomized, clinical trial comparing HCOT (maintain SpO2 92-95%) while being treated for asthma exacerbation in the emergency department (ED).

Increased Risk of Infection in Obese Adolescents After Pedicle Screw Instrumentation for Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Study Design: Original research.

Objective: To evaluate perioperative risk factors associated with obesity in children undergoing posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The authors hypothesized that patients with a high body mass index (BMI) percentile would be associated with increased morbidity as measured by various intraoperative parameters.

Effects of chronic hypercapnia in the neonatal mouse lung and brain.

Background: Permissive hypercapnia is increasingly utilized in the care of premature infants to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In a previous investigation, we described gene expression changes in the neonatal mouse lung exposed to chronic hypercapnia that might contribute to lung protection and accelerated maturation. However, it is unknown whether chronic hypercapnia increases alveolar formation, nor if it has detrimental effects in other developing organs such as the brain.

The postoperative cardiovascular arrest of a 5-year-old male: an initial presentation of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Anesthesia may be administered to patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, but cases are reported in which apparently healthy children suffer hyperkalemic cardiac arrest. We present the case of a 5-year-old boy whose muscular dystrophy was discovered following a fatal, perioperative cardiac arrest in the postanesthesia care unit.