Corticosteroid use in management of pediatric emergency conditions.

Corticosteroids have been used for over half a century to treat various inflammatory disorders; however, their use in many pediatric conditions remains controversial. This issue reviews evidence on corticosteroid treatment in acute asthma exacerbations, croup, acute pharyngitis, anaphylaxis, acute spinal injury, and bacterial meningitis. While corticosteroids are clearly indicated for management of asthma exacerbations and croup, they are not universally recommended for potential spinal cord injury.

Stiff Neck and Drooling in a Young Girl.

A 3-year-old girl was brought to the emergency department 4 days after she was playing with a button battery and subsequently had a choking episode. The patient was seen immediately at a different emergency department and was discharged home after a normal chest x-ray finding and able to tolerate an oral challenge with liquids. She was later evaluated by her primary care physician and started on amoxicillin for possible pharyngitis.

Ultrasound evaluation of urachal abscess in a young infant.

The urachus is a tubular structure extending from the dome of the bladder to the umbilicus. Normally, this allantoic and cloacal remnant obliterates into a fibrous band by late fetal development. Urachal abnormalities include a patent urachus, urachal cyst, umbilical urachal sinus, and a vesicourachal diverticulum.

Pediatric major trauma: an approach to evaluation and management.

Trauma is the leading cause of death in children nationwide. Proper management of the pediatric trauma patient involves many of the components contained within standard trauma protocols. By paying strict attention to the anatomical and physiological differences in the pediatric population, clinicians will be assured the best possible outcomes.