Clinical predictors of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a clinical prediction model that identifies respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants and young children.

Methods: Children < or = 36 months of age with respiratory illness, who were suspected of having RSV infection, were enrolled in this prospective cohort study during the study period between January and February 2002. RSV testing was performed on all patients.

Childhood seizures.

Seizures are a common neurologic problem in childhood affecting 4% to 10% of children before the age of 16 years. Seizures must be differentiated from other childhood disorders and correctly classified with regard to type. Emergency treatment focuses on patient stabilization, termination of seizure activity, and determination of seizure cause.

Seizures in children.

Seizures are the most common pediatric neurologic disorder. Four to ten percent of children suffer at least one seizure in the first 16 years of life. The incidence is highest in children less than 3 years of age, with a decreasing frequency in older children.

Epidemiology and etiology of malpractice lawsuits involving children in US emergency departments and urgent care centers.

Objective: To obtain epidemiologic outcome information about pediatric lawsuits that originate in the emergency department and urgent care center.

Methods: This was an anonymous retrospective review of all closed pediatric claims in the Physician Insurers Association of America database during a 16-year period (1985-2000). This database, containing data from 20 major malpractice insurance firms, insuring 25% US physicians, was queried for epidemiologic outcome information about pediatric lawsuits originating in US emergency departments and urgent care centers.

Clinical predictors of influenza in children.

Background: It is difficult to diagnose influenza infection on clinical grounds alone. Available rapid diagnostic tests have limited sensitivities.

Objective: To develop a prediction model that identifies children likely to have influenza infection.

Influenza a in young children with suspected respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of influenza A in young children suspected of having respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and to compare the clinical presentation of these patients with those who have proven RSV infection.

Methods: Children younger than or at 36 months of age who presented to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with suspected RSV infection during the influenza A season of 2001-2002 were eligible. Eligible children had an RSV antigen test ordered as part of their initial clinical management.

Prolonged QT syndrome in children: an uncommon but potentially fatal entity.

Prolonged QT syndrome may be either congenital, as in Jervell and Lange-Nielsen or Romano-Ward syndromes, or acquired in nature. Affected children are at risk for syncope, seizures, dysrhythmias and sudden death. Physicians should consider long QT syndrome (LQTS) in all patients who present with syncope.