Evaluation of the effects of ethanol on static and dynamic gait.

Objective: We used two balance assessment devices, computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and Swaystar transducers to detect subtle balance system deficits in nine subjects who had ingested minimal amounts of alcohol.

Design: Nine subjects were evaluated with both modalities before, and repetitively after, ingesting a small amount of alcohol.

Methods: We measured condition 5 (sway referenced platform; eyes closed) on CDP and tandem walking with eyes closed while wearing Swaystar to see if either test could detect a balance deficit.

Foreign body aspiration in infants and toddlers: recent trends in British Columbia.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) examine recent trends in the demographics and presentation of children with foreign body aspiration at British Columbia's Children's Hospital and (2) develop safety guidelines regarding feeding nuts and other hard, crunchy foods to infants and toddlers.

Methods: The methods used were a retrospective chart review and a review of swallowing mechanics in early childhood.

Results: Between July 1997 and July 2001, 51 children under 3 years of age underwent rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration.