CSF shunt complications
8.1 CSF shunt complications Richard Lennon Essentials 1 Emergency physicians should consider the possibility of a shunt complication in any child with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt presenting to an…
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Raised intracranial pressure
8.2 Raised intracranial pressure Richard Lennon Essentials 1 A rapidly expanding head circumference in an infant prior to suture fusion, is an important sign of raised ICP. 2 The open…
Abdominal and pelvic trauma
3.4 Abdominal and pelvic trauma Scott Pearson Essentials 1 Children may have significant internal injury with little evidence of external trauma. The abdominal viscera are less well protected by the…
Ingested foreign bodies
7.6 Ingested foreign bodies Scott Pearson Essentials 1 Foreign bodies in the stomach or intestines are expected to pass spontaneously about 99% of the time if the child has normal…
Congenital heart disease
5.5 Congenital heart disease Matthew O’Meara Essentials 1 Congenital cardiac disease is uncommon in children, but should be considered as a possible diagnosis in an infant or child with respiratory…
Acute rheumatic fever
5.6 Acute rheumatic fever Sarah Dalton Essentials 1 Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a disease of connective tissue inflammation that may follow 2 to 4 weeks after a Group A…
Bronchiolitis
6.6 Bronchiolitis Tom Beattie Essentials 1 The diagnosis of bronchiolitis is clinical, based on history and examination. 2 Bronchiolitis typically affects children under the age of 12 months, but may…
Introduction to paediatric trauma
3.1 Introduction to paediatric trauma Danny Cass Essentials 1 Trauma is the prime cause of death and serious injury throughout childhood, accounting for 60% of deaths. 2 Prevention strategies have…
Community-acquired pneumonia
6.5 Community-acquired pneumonia Mike Starr Essentials 1 Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children, although up to 40% of cases represent mixed infection. 2 Streptococcus pneumoniae is…
Inhaled foreign body
6.2 Inhaled foreign body Peter L.J. Barnett Essentials 1 The presentation to an emergency department of a child with airway obstruction due to an inhaled foreign body can be life-threatening…
