Ethnic Disparity in the Incidence and Outcome of Biliary Atresia in New Zealand.

To determine incidence and outcome of biliary atresia (BA) between ethnic groups in New Zealand (NZ), a retrospective review was undertaken of children with BA born between 2002 and 2014. Prioritized ethnicity was used to determine ethnicity and was compared to population data. Uni- and multivariate analyses were undertaken to determine demographic and biochemical factors associated with outcome.

Childhood cholecystectomy in New Zealand: A multicenter national 10year perspective.

Aim: International studies show increasing incidence of cholelithiasis in childhood and an increasing caseload for the pediatric surgeon. We reviewed pediatric cholecystectomy in all four centers in New Zealand, examining changes in incidence and the demographics of the patient population.

Method: Coding data were used to retrieve case notes and extract demographic data, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay, and complications for patients less than 16years old undergoing cholecystectomy from January 1st, 2004-December 31st, 2013.

Duration of postoperative intravenous antibiotics in childhood complicated appendicitis: a propensity score-matched comparison study.

Introduction: Postoperative antibiotics complement surgery in managing childhood-complicated appendicitis. However, there is limited evidence to guide clinicians on appropriate duration of therapy. A comparison cohort study was performed to determine whether tailoring duration of inpatient intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy to patient response, assessed using a set of clinical criteria, leads to shortened hospital length of stay (LOS) without compromising patient outcomes.

Increased incidence of empyema in Polynesian children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review the epidemiology, treatment and outcome of surgically managed empyema in children.

Method: A retrospective review was undertaken of all surgically managed empyema at Starship Children's Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand) from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2008.

Results: Of the 93 children diagnosed with empyema, 62 were managed surgically (55 VATS, 7 thoracotomy) and 31 with tube thoracostomy alone.

Television tip-overs: the Starship Children's Hospital experience and literature review.

Background: Injuries sustained from television (TV) sets tipping over onto children are uncommon when compared to other forms of trauma, but because of the weight of some TVs relative to the size of small children, severe and sometimes fatal injuries can result. The international literature is limited in describing this form of trauma and none is available for the Australasian region.

Aim: The aims of the present paper are to describe the characteristics and immediate outcomes of children admitted to Starship Children's Hospital following TV tip-overs and review the international literature on this topic.

Paediatric driveway run-over injuries: time to redesign?

Aims: To investigate the demographic, accident, and environmental characteristics associated with driveway run-over injuries in order to identify potentially modifiable factors and prevention strategies

Methods: Retrospective review of all children less than 15 years old who were hospitalised or killed due to a driveway run-over injury in the Auckland region of New Zealand over the 50-month period, November 2001 to December 2005. Data was collected on the demographics, accident and environmental characteristics, and parental awareness. Data was obtained from clinical records and telephone interviews with parents.

Rising incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos in New Zealand.

Background: An apparent increase in the incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos has been reported from several parts of the world. The exact mechanism of this trend is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the regional and national trends in the incidence of gastroschisis and exomphalos in New Zealand.

The learning curve in learning the curve: a review of Nuss procedure in teenagers.

Background: The Nuss procedure is a new minimally invasive repair for pectus excavatum that was first published in 1998. Modifications in technique are constantly evolving to minimize complications, especially bar displacement, which are higher in adolescents and adults. The present study reviews our early experience with this procedure in a much older group of children than previously reported and suggests an alternative method of avoiding bar displacement.

Driveway-related motor vehicle injuries in the paediatric population: a preventable tragedy.

Aim: To describe the incidence and demographics of children injured by slow-moving vehicles in Auckland driveways in order to develop preventative strategies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all children less than 15 years, 76 in total, who were injured by a vehicle in a driveway within Auckland between January 1998 and October 2001. Patient demographics and risk factors were identified by clinical note review, contacting the parents, and inspecting the driveways involved.