Analysis of infant lumbar puncture success rates: sitting flexed versus lateral flexed positions.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for culture. The secondary objectives were to determine whether the sitting flexed position yields higher success rates of obtaining the following: CSF for cell count, non-traumatic CSF, and CSF on the first attempt.

Methods: The study investigator performed a retrospective chart review of infants 0 to 365 days of age who had a lumbar puncture (LP) performed from January 1 to December 31 of 2010.

Career longevity in clinical pediatric emergency medicine.

Objectives: Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) is more than a quarter of a century old; yet, very little is known about the career longevity of its practitioners. The purpose of our survey was to examine different aspects of career longevity in the clinical practice of PEM.

Methods: An electronic survey was mailed in November 2008 to all members of the section on pediatric emergency medicine at the American Academy of Pediatrics who were older than 50 years.