Unplanned reattendances at the paediatric emergency department within 72 hours: a one-year experience in KKH.

Introduction: Unscheduled reattendances at the paediatric emergency department may contribute to overcrowding, which may increase financial burdens. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of reattendances and characterise factors influencing these reattendances and hospital admission during the return visits.

Methods: Medical records of all patients who attended the emergency department at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, from 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

Risk factors for severe hand foot mouth disease in Singapore: a case control study.

Background: Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood infection that can potentially lead to serious complications. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors of acquiring severe HFMD in our population.

Methods: We performed a case control study using patients admitted to our hospital from August 2004 to July 2014.

Extracorporeal life support for cardiac arrest in a paediatric emergency department.

The initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the emergency department (ED) is a rare event. Herein, we report a case of acute fulminant myocarditis in a nine-year-old girl who was successfully resuscitated by early initiation of ECMO support in the paediatric ED of KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. The patient had rapidly progressed into a witnessed pulseless ventricular tachycardia on presentation, and ECMO was started in the ED following the failure of standard resuscitation measures to establish spontaneous circulation.

Is prophylactic atropine necessary during ketamine sedation in children?

Aim: To quantify clinically significant hypersalivation and other adverse events requiring intervention, with and without the use of atropine during ketamine use, using a consensus-based, standardised terminology.

Methods: This was a retrospective study based on paediatric patients who received ketamine for procedures done at the children's emergency department from July 2010 to September 2010. Patients who were given atropine were compared with patients who were not given atropine with regard to clinically significant hypersalivation.