Emergency department visits for children with acute asthma: discharge instructions, parental plans, and follow-through of care--a prospective study.

Objective: Communication between emergency department (ED) staff and parents of children with asthma may play a role in asthma exacerbation management. We investigated the extent to which parents of children with asthma implement recommendations provided by the ED staff.

Method: We asked questions on asthma triggers, ED care (including education and discharge recommendations), and asthma management strategies used at home shortly after the ED visit and again at 6 months.

Influenza vaccination in paediatric nurses: cross-sectional study of coverage, refusal, and factors in acceptance.

Background: Influenza vaccination among health-care workers is poor, and the effectiveness of hospital vaccination programs remains unclear. Little is known about the effectiveness of intensive evidence-based vaccination programs in nursing staff. We determined whether the recommended vaccination rate could be achieved among paediatric nurses during an intensive promotional program for influenza vaccination.

The congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula syndrome: elucidation and proposed classification.

Congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula is a rare but treatable cause of portal hypertension for which early recognition may lead to successful radiological management. We report an infant presenting with severe failure to thrive, melena and splenomegaly due to a congenital intrahepatic arterioportal fistula, successfully ablated after multiple trials of superselective transarterial embolization. Comprehensive review of congenital cases provides an understanding of the key clinical features defining this syndrome.