[A cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in a child: primary carnitine deficiency].

Aim: The aim of this case report was to show the importance to research metabolic etiology, especially a carnitine deficiency in dilated cardiomyopathy of children.

Case Report: A three years old Togolese child presented muscular hypotonia, dyspnea. Examination showed left galop murmur and systolic murmur 2/6.

A short-stay observation unit improves care in the paediatric emergency care setting.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a short-stay observation unit (SSOU) on the hospitalization rate, the authors have analysed the activity of a SSOU opened in 1992 in a paediatric emergency department (PED) and the number of children hospitalized between 1987 and 1996. Among 2321 patients admitted to the SSOU in 1996, 644 medical patients have been analysed, showing a young population (55% under 3 years old), living in the town or surroundings (70%) and usually have not been referred by a general practitioner (64%). Twenty per cent were admitted for accurate diagnosis (group A), 49% for treatment and observation of a recognized acute pathology before decision of discharge (group B), and 31% waiting for a bed in a paediatric ward (group C).