Postoperative nausea and vomiting in children using patient-controlled analgesia: the effect of prophylactic intravenous dixyrazine

BACKGROUND: Although patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine provides a high degree of satisfactory postoperative analgesia in children, it is often associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Our aim in this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dixyrazine, a phenothiazine with proven anti-emetic properties. METHODS: The incidence of nausea and vomiting was studied in 60 children using PCA after major surgery. The patients were randomised to receive either dixyrazine 0.25 mg kg-1 or placebo on the induction of anaesthesia in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The anaesthetic technique was standardised. The PCA pump was programmed to deliver bolus doses of morphine of 20 micrograms kg-1 with a continuous background infusion of 8-10 micrograms kg-1 h-1. Nausea, vomiting, sedation and pain scores were noted every 3 h for a period of 24 h. RESULTS: The morphine consumption of morphine was the same in both groups. During the stay in the recovery room the incidence of vomiting was 3% in the dixyrazine group compared to 30% in the placebo group (P < 0.05). On the ward, 57% versus 83% of the children vomited (P < 0.05). Rescue antiemetics were significantly lower, 30%, in the dixyrazine group compared to 60% in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Higher sedation scores were recorded for the dixyrazine group in the recovery room. No other adverse effects were found. CONCLUSION: A significant number of children using PCA with morphine after major surgery experience PONV. Although prophylactic dixyrazine reduces the incidence and severity of vomiting, the incidence still remains high.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in neutropenic, pediatric solid tumor patients following chemotherapy

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used to reduce the duration and/or degree of neutropenia of different etiologies in recent years. In this study, experience with the use of G-CSF (Neupogen, Roche) after 123 courses of highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy administered to 31 (20 female, 11 male) patients with pediatric solid tumors is reported. G-CSF was initialed at a white blood cell (WBC) count of 918 ± 452/μL (100-2000), at a dose of 7.6 ± 2.3 μg/kgl/d (5-14) subcutaneously for 5.2 ± 2.4 days (2-18). G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia after 82 and for febrile neutropenia after 41 courses. Only in two episodes where G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia, fever developed. The average hospitalization period for febrile neutropenia was 9.8 ± 3.3 days (5-20). Chemotherapy could be given on scheduled time and dosage in 90% of the courses in which G-CSF was used for afebrile neutropenia. G-CSF was well tolerated. Bone pain was observed in two patients and urticaria in one patient. In conclusion, G-CSF increased the WBC count effectively, there were only two febrile episodes in 82 courses in children receiving G-CSF for afebrile neutropenia, it was well tolerated, and it was found to be feasible for use in a developing country.     

The “Scandinavian Star” ferry disaster 1990 -a challenge to forensic odontology

Summary With 158 victims, the fire on board the Scandinavian Star was one of the world's worst ferry disasters. A team of identification experts, including dentists, were employed to secure evidence for identification and to remove the victims from the ferry. Four parallel teams, each with 2 dentists, examined and autopsied the victims at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Oslo. Using the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification forms and aided by computers, all victims were identified within 17 days. Dental identity could be established in 107 cases (68%).     

儿科重症监护病房中影响机械通气成功的相关因素

目的 探讨儿科重症监护病房(PICU)中影响机械通气成功的相关因素。方法 将lll例行机械通气的危重病儿分成治疗成功组与失败组，对其相关因素进行回顾性分析。结果两组患儿在上机前危重病例评分、是否伴有心跳呼吸骤停和(或)休克及并发多系统器官功能衰竭(MODS)等方面差异有权显著意义(P＜0．001)；超过48h的机械通气患儿是否继发呼吸机相关肺炎(VAP)亦有显著意义(P＜0.05)。结论 PICU中影响机械通气成功率的因素主要是原发病的性质及严重程度，并与MODS与VAP有密切关系。     

小剂量芬太尼在机械通气中的应用

目的　 了解机械通气患儿以小剂量芬太尼持续静脉滴注的作用。 方法 　观察用药前后呼吸顺应性 (Cdyn)、气道阻力 (Raw)及呼气末二氧化碳分压 (PetCO2 )的变化。 结果 　 1个月～ 3岁患儿用药前后Raw及PetCO2 明显下降 ,肺部感染患儿指标变化显著大于非感染患儿 ,Cdyn用药前后均未发现显著差异。 结论 　提示机械通气中用小剂量芬太尼可以减轻人机对抗 ,降低气道压 ,改善肺气体交换及肺功能 ,有利于患儿顺利地渡过危险期     

脾胃学说与儿科临证

通过中医古代文献对脾胃在人体生命活动中作用的论述 ,结合小儿的生理病理特点 ,总结归纳脾胃学说与儿科临床的重要意义 ,并指导儿科疾病的预防及治疗     

INVITED REVIEW GASTROINTESTINAL MANIFESTATIONS IN PEDIATRIC AIDS

The pathologic changes in the gastrointestinal tract of children with AIDS are variable, clinically significant, and reflect multisystemic disease processes. Inflammation, changes in the lymphoid tissue, miscellaneous lesions, and tumors are documented in 58 patients in addition to cases reported in the literature. Cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract, associated with ulcerations, hemorrhage, perforation, and intestinal obstruction, carries a high morbidity and mortality, whereas the remaining infections are not life threatening. Special stains and electron micrographic examination are important to identify correctlycertain microorganisms such asmycobacterium avium intracellulare, cryptosporidia, and microsporidia. Lymphoproliferative changes of the gastrointestinal tract, a component of the generalized lymphoproliferative process, need to be characterized by tumor markers and cytogenetic studies. Within the miscellaneous lesions, AIDS associated arteriopathy can be complicated by intestinal ulceration and perforation. Both lymphomas and smooth muscle tumor in children with AIDS are related to Epstein-Barr virus infection. The smooth muscle tumors are frequently malignant and multiple.     

儿科加强医疗病房全身炎症反应综合征和多器官功能不全综合征的临床分析

目的应用新概念———全身炎症反应综合征（ＳＩＲＳ）和多器官功能不全综合征（ＭＯＤＳ）认识多器官功能衰竭（ＭＯＦ）。方法回顾性总结分析１９９５年１月～１９９７年１２月我院儿科加强监护病房收治的危重患儿，根据Ｈａｙｄｅｎ修订的ＳＩＲＳ诊断标准和全国小儿急诊学组拟定的ＭＯＦ诊断标准进行临床分析。结果全组３０４例患儿，符合ＳＩＲＳ标准２５２例，占８２．９％．原发病有感染性疾病和非感染性疾病。在ＳＩＲＳ和ＭＯＤＳ病程发展过程中部分患儿出现一过性肝、肾、胃肠道和脑等器官功能受损的表现，最终进展为ＭＯＤＳ共６５例，占２５．８％。ＭＯＤＳ的病死率为４３．１％（２８／６５）。发生ＭＯＤＳ的高危因素为入院危重评分＜７５分，明显高代谢反应和合并Ｃ反应蛋白，而与年龄无明显关系。结论ＳＩＲＳ和ＭＯＤＳ是小儿加强医疗病房中常见病症，病死率较高。ＳＩＲＳ和急诊学组制定的ＭＯＦ诊断标准简单实用，但应根据美国胸科协会和危重病医学会倡议将ＭＯＦ更名为ＭＯＤＳ。ＳＩＲＳ和ＭＯＤＳ进展至器官功能衰竭前存在器官功能受损的表现，应予高度重视并早期干预。     

RENAL MEDULLARY CARCINOMA: A Potential Sickle Cell Nephropathy of Children and Adolescents

An extremely aggressive malignant epithelial neoplasm of the kidney has recently been described and named renal medullary carcinoma. The finding of this tumor is highly predictive of drepanocytes (sickle cells) in tissue sections and thus the presence of sickle hemoglobin, specifically sickle cell trait, in the patient. We present a case report of this rare tumor in a 10-year-old male. The tumor displayed a variable histologic architecture including gland-like areas with intra- and extracytoplasmic material resembling mucin with hematoxylin and eosin stain. This material was negative with periodic acid-Schiff and mucicarmine stains, stained only weakly with Alcian Blue, and was positive using antibodies against peanut agglutinin. Tumor cells stained positively with antibodies to epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin, vimentin, and Ulex europaeus lectin. The luminal face of tumor cells stained with peanut agglutinin. Stains using antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha-fetoprotein were negative. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were characterized by short microvilli lining the luminal surface and lateral complex infoldings of adjacent plasma membranes. We discuss the relationship of this neoplasm to another renal pelvic neoplasm, collecting duct carcinoma, which may rarely occur in children. Renal medullary carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of gross hematuria, which is most commonly benign self-limited hematuria, in young patients with sickle cell trait.     

No difference between bupivacaine in 0.9% and 8% glucose for spinal anaesthesia in small children

BACKGROUND: Baricity is one of the most important factors to influence the characteristics of distribution of the local anaesthetic and hence success and spread of the blockade. Bupivacaine is rendered hyperbaric by adding glucose. The effect of differing degrees of hyperbaricity remains to be evaluated. METHODS: Two hyperbaric bupivacaine solutions, in 0.9% and in 8% glucose, for spinal anaesthesia were investigated in 60 children, aged 1-7 years, in a double-blind, randomised, parallel group, prospective study. The children were premedicated with diazepam orally. Bupivacaine 5 mg ml(-1) in either 0.9% or 8% glucose was injected in a dose of 0.4 mg kg(-1). Maximum cephalad extent and regression of sensory block were tested by transcutaneous electrical stimulation. RESULTS: Success rate, spread and duration of sensory block were similar in both groups. Only one child required a single dose of fentanyl during surgery. The highest median level of sensory block was T3 (T2-T7) (median (10th/90th percentiles)) in both groups. Time to reach T10 did not differ between the groups. The incidence of adverse effects was similar. Atropine was administered to one child in each group to treat bradycardia and 6 children (10%) experienced shivering. One child in each group vomited once. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that bupivacaine in 0.9% glucose and in 8% glucose solutions are equally suitable for spinal anaesthesia in small children. Similar success rate, spread and duration of the sensory and motor block are achieved with both baricities of bupivacaine.