Objective To explore the feasibility of children age dependent chest tube voltage settings for optimizing radiation dose and image quality in digital radiography (DR). Methods Children aged 0 to 14 who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January, 2008 to December, 2010, were divided into the following 5 age groups: 0~, 1~, 3~, 7~, and 11~14-year-old, and each group was then randomly assigned to the optimization and control groups to take DR by computer. DR in automatic exposure control with different tube voltage depending on children age; the control group: DR in automatic exposure control with conventional fixed tube voltage. The dose area product (DAP) was adopted for the measurement of radiation dose, while the visual grading analysis score (VGAS) was for image quality. Then SPSS 17.0 was applied for statistical analysis. Results A total of 2 450 children were initially included. Finally there were 2 415 children included in the anteroposterior chest image in this study, and the other 35 children were excluded for their anatomical characteristics could not be showed due to serious primary diseases. There were 1 202 patients in the optimization group and 1 213 patients in the controlled group. The mean DAP in the optimization group was lower than that in the control group with a significant difference (t= –4.967, P=0.008). The mean VGAS in the optimization group was higher than that in the control group with a significant difference (t= 23.738, P=0.000). Conclusion Children age dependent tube voltage settings can effectively reduce radiation dose and improve image quality at the same time.
Objective To investigate influence factors of childhood essential hypertension and provide scientific evidence for prevention and management of the disease. Methods Relevant studies were searched using PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid, CNKI and VIP from January 2007 to December 2011. STATA 11 was applied for meta-analysis. After heterogeneity analysis, influence factors (OR with 95%CI) were estimated using fixed or random effect models. Sensitivity analyses were used for evaluating the robustness of the results. Publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test and funnel plot. Results A total of 13 studies involving 4 278 cases and 37 230 controls were included. The pooled OR and its 95%CI of different factors associated with hypertension among children were: gender (male) 1.283 (1.063 to 1.549), age 1.013 (0.975 to 1.052), overweight 2.622 (1.985 to 3.464), obesity 3.730 (2.299 to 6.051), waist circumstance 1.060 (1.036 to 1.085), family history 1.189 (0.956 to 1.480), and frequency of physical activities 0.584 (0.460 to 0.742). Conclusion Current results indicate that gender (male), overweight, obesity, waist circumstance are risk factors of hypertension among children, while frequency of physical activities is protective factor.
Objective To assess the influence of dexmedetomidine on the recovery of pediatric patients after sevoflurane anesthesia. Methods Such databases as PubMed (1966 to March 2012), The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2012), EBSCO (ASP) (1984 to March 2012), Journals@Ovid Full Text (1993 to March 2012), CBM (1978 to March 2012), CNKI (1979 to March 2012), VIP (1989 to March 2012), and WanFang Data (1998 to March 2012) were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the influence of dexmedetomidine on the recovery of pediatric patients after sevoflurane anesthesia, and the references of the included studies were also retrieved. Two researchers extracted the data and evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies independently. Then the RevMan 5.2 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 16 RCTs involving 1 217 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the placebo, dexmedetomidine could reduce the occurrence of emergence agitation (OR=0.18, 95%CI 0.13 to 0.25, Plt;0.000 01) and increase the occurrence of postoperative lethargy (OR=0.14, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.68, P=0.01), but there were no differences in the occurrence of side effects including bronchospasm, bucking, breathholding, and oxygen desaturation. Dexmedetomidine could also reduce mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) of pediatric patients during the recovery period after sevoflurane anesthesia, but it increased emergence time (MD=2.14, 95%CI 0.95 to 3.33, P=0.000 4), extubation time (MD=1.26, 95%CI 0.51 to 2.00, P=0.000 9) and the time of staying in PACU (MD=4.72, 95%CI 2.07 to 7.38, P=0.000 5). Conclusions For pediatric patients recovering from sevoflurane-based general anesthesia, dexmedetomidine can reduce the occurrence of emergence agitation, and is helpful to maintain the hemodynamic balance. But it prolongs emergence time, extubation time (or the time of using the laryngeal mask) and the time of staying in PACU, and increases the occurrence of postoperative lethargy.
Objective To investigate the injury characteristics of 33 children of Lushan earthquake victims no more than 14 years old treated in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and to put forward the early rehabilitation strategy. Methods A total of 33 earthquake children victims were investigated with the modified barthel index score (MBI) and analyzed in following aspects: age, causes, and injury. Results a) The 33 children victims accounted for 10.28% of the total earthquake victims treated in the hospital, they were all no more than 14 years old, and the average age was 7.24 years old. 17 cases were fractures of trunk and limbs, six were traumatic brain injury, and four were soft tissue injury. b) The main traumatic causes were crush by falling objects and heavy stuffs; and some children rarely suffered from hurt, burn and fall injury when running. c) Most children victims were simple open injuries and fractures, especially the limbs fractures accounted for 51.51% of the total cases, and there was only one case suffered from abdominal organ injuries. d) Among 33 children victims, 30 (90.9%) were from the towns and villages. They mainly got injured by the collapse of house or courtyard walls which were not as ber as the house in the cities, so the incidence of severe injury was lower, the degree of injury was milder, and the injury of major organ was rarer. Conclusion Early rehabilitation treatment is helpful to prevent the complications and early recover the functions. It suggests the early rehabilitation treatment should be carried out for the earthquake children victims in order to promote the fracture healing and functional recovery, as well as to prevent the complications. In addition, attention should also be paid to the psychological problems while concerning rehabilitation training.
Objective To investigate the situation of MRI examination in children in outpatient and inpatient departments of the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from 2010 to 2012, so as to provide favourable basis for the choice of imaging examination in children. Methods The materials of electronic reports of MRI examination in paediatric inpatient and outpatient departments from 2010 to 2012 were collected, categorized, and analyzed. Results a) 2 148 children underwent MRI examination in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from 2010 to 2012. The total number of patients increased with year. Boys were more than girls. The positive incidence was slightly decreased. The number of outpatients was more than inpatients, but the positive incidence was lower in outpatients. b) The total numbers of examination position were increased with year and the number of single position examination was the most (accounted for than 85% of the total numbers). The main examination positions included: head, MRA of the head, cervical column, knees, lumbar column, pituitary gland, thoracic column, and abdomen. The examination positions diversified gradually. The application of examination technique also increased gradually. c) The systemic disease spectrum of positive cases in MRI examination included 9 categories, which accounted for 42.86% of ICD-10. The nervous systematic disease, muscle, skeleton and connective tissue disease were the categories. The major disease types were stable during the recent 3 years. The increase was obvious in injuries of the knees, malacosis and atrophy of the brain, the deformity of the brain. Conclusion The total numbers of the patients and positions examined increased gradually with year in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital from 2010 to 2012. The applications of MRI in the head, limbs and joints, and soft tissues were more extensive. Children diagnosed as positive results had diseases of the central nervous system, limbs and joints, and connective tissue disease.
Objective To systematically review the impacts of general anesthesia using sevoflurane versus propofol on the incidence of emergence agitation in pediatric patients. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2012), CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data and VIP were electronically searched from inception to December 2012, for comprehensively collecting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the impacts of general anesthesia using sevoflurane versus propofol on the incidence of emergence agitation in pediatric patients. References of included studies were also retrieved. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 9 RCTs involving 692 children were included, of which, six were pooled in the meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) after anesthesia induction using sevoflurane, intravenous propofol maintenance was associated with a lower incidence of emergence agitation compared with sevoflurane maintenance (RR=0.57, 95%CI 0.39 to 0.84, P=0.004); and b) patients anesthetized with total intravenous propofol had a lower incidence of emergence agitation compared with total inhalation of sevoflurane (RR=0.16, 95%CI 0.06 to 0.39, Plt;0.000 1). Conclusion The incidence of emergence agitation after general anesthesia using sevoflurane is higher than that using propofol. Due to the limited quantity and quality, the application of sevoflurane should be chosen based on full consideration into patients’ conditions in clinic.
Objective To investigate the information of label use of high-alert drugs for children of high risk population, in the Military General Hospital of Beijing PLA. Methods We selected high-alert drugs used in this hospital as objectives. The package inserts of these drugs were investigated and medication parts for children were analyzed. Results 201 drugs regarded as high-alert drugs were included, of which only 78 drugs have accurate detailed description of medication for children, accounting for 38.8% of the total of investigated high-alert drugs. Conclusion Children, as high-risk population, needs more attention concerning the use of high-alert drugs. However, risks in the use of high-alert drugs increased due to the lack of the information of label use of high-alert drugs. To ensure the safety of drug use in children, the information of drug use for children in the package inserts should be urgently supplemented.
Objective To systematically review the effectiveness and safety interferon-α (IFN-α) combined with lamivudine vs. IFN-α alone in treating children with Hepatitis B. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on IFN-α combined with lamivudine in treating children with hepatitis B. Two reviewers screened literature, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results 8 RCTs were included, with comparable baseline. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared to the IFN-α alone group, the combined therapy group had higher negative rates of serum HBV-DNA and HBeAg. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of anti-Hbe and the incidence of adverse reaction between the two groups. Conclusion Current evidence shows that IFN-α combined with lamivudine was more effective than IFN-α alone in treating children’s hepatitis B.
Objective To analyze drug use for 23 sick and wounded hospitalized in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital, during one month after Lushan earthquake, so as to provide references for the drug use for the sick and wounded women and children. Methods Medication information was retrospectively investigated in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital during one month after Lushan earthquake. We extracted data including hospitalization duration, medication prescriptions, types and costs of essential medicines, types and costs of antibiotic medicines using the HIS system. Discharge diagnosis was standardized and classified according to ICD-10. Indicators of rational drug use included defined daily dose (DDD), defined daily dose statistic (DDDs), drug utilization index (DUI), children defined daily dose (cDDD), children drug utilization index (cDUI), proportion of essential medicines, proportion of antibiotic medicines, mismatch of medicine and diagnosis, repeated drug use, improper combination of drug, incorrect usage and dosage, and frequently drug change. Medication information was evaluated and discussed by the prescription working group. Discrepency was resolved by consulting with the panel. Results A total of 23 sick and wounded women and children were assessed during one month after Lushan Earthquake. There were 13 sick and wounded children in the department of pediatrics (mainly manifested as bronchial pneumonia) and 10 sick and wounded women in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics (mainly involved in cesarean delivery). Proportions of essential medicines were 13/13 in the department of pediatrics and 9/10 in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics. Proportions of antibiotic medicines were 10/13 in the department of pediatrics and 8/10 in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics. Irrational drug use was mainly caused by improper use of antibiotics. Conclusion The drug use for 23 hospitalized sick and wounded is rational in the departments of gynaecology, obstetrics and paediatrics in the West China Second University Hospital during one month after Lushan earthquake. Evaluation methods of rational drug use in high-risk population are urgently needed. Using cDDD and cDUI is an active exploration for the evaluation of pediatric drug use, which needs more practice to test and improve.
Objective To systematically analyze the factors influencing the left-behind children’s mental health. Methods After the search term and strategy were confirmed by researchers, four Chinese databases including Chinese Biological Medical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and WanFang Database (WF) were searched to collect papers, published before March 2011, on relevant factors influencing mental health of left-behind children in China. Then two reviewers independently screened, extracted and cross-checked the data, and the disagreements were resolved by discussion or by consulting a third reviewer. Qualitative synthesis method was used to analyze the study results. Results Of the total 3 252 records, 49 studies were included. The results of qualitative analysis showed that factors influencing left-behind children’s mental health could be classified into four categories including social factors, family factors, school factors and personal factors. Of the nearly 30 kinds of specific factors, the main ones were gender, age, parent-child relationship, social support, personality and characteristics, and outgoing condition of parents, etc. Conclusion Current research results indicate that many factors have influences on mental health of left-behind children, but the research quality is not high with low argument efficiency. There are still controversies on several factors’ impact. Longitudinal studies with rigorous design are needed to analyze the impact of different factors on the left-behind children’s mental health and to summarize the interaction between various factors, so as to provide scientific evidence for developing practical and effective intervention measures.