Pediatrics

  Case: Parents bring a 2-month-old male infant to the emergency department for evaluation. Parents state the child “has been crying excessively over the past 24 hours and has been at times inconsolable.” Is this crying normal? The definition of normal crying originates from a 1962 article by T. Berry Brazelton, who determined …

    The term ALTE in pediatrics had previously referred to apparent life-threatening event. This event was characterized by some combination of apnea, color change, change in muscle tone, choking or gagging and was also witnessed by and distressing to a caregiver. This was the definition from the National Institute of …

  Many people find medical mnemonics very helpful for remembering certain differentials, presentations or toxidromes. Hopefully you too will find this new segment useful. This 4-yr male male is brought in for evaluation for rash and fever for 5 days.                     …

  During the resuscitation of a critically-ill newborn who requires vascular access, umbilical vein catheterization can be a life-saving procedure. The umbilical vein can remain patent for approximately 1 week after birth and when catheterized, allows the administration of fluids and medications. Contraindications to the procedure include necrotizing enterocolitis, omphalitis, …

  A 10 year old female presents to the emergency department with complaints of left-sided hip pain over the past 2 weeks. The pain had been intermittent initially, but has gotten much worse over the past 2 days. Neither the child, nor her parents, can recall any trauma or recent …

    A 2 year-old child is brought to the ED after opening a drawer containing coins and batteries.         [mlw_quizmaster quiz=3]