Tools for detection of Mycoplasma amphoriforme: a primary respiratory pathogen?

Mycoplasma amphoriforme is a recently described organism isolated from the respiratory tracts of patients with immunodeficiency and evidence of chronic infection. Novel assays for the molecular detection of the organism by real-time quantitative PCRs (qPCRs) targeting the uracil DNA glycosylase gene (udg) or the 23S rRNA gene are described here. The analytical sensitivities are similar to the existing conventional M. amphoriforme 16S rRNA gene PCR, with the advantage of being species specific, rapid, and quantitative. By using these techniques, we demonstrate the presence of this organism in 17 (19.3%) primary antibody-deficient (PAD) patients, 4 (5%) adults with lower respiratory tract infection, 1 (2.6%) sputum sample from a patient attending a chest clinic, and 23 (0.21%) samples submitted for viral diagnosis of respiratory infection, but not in normal adult control subjects. These data show the presence of this microorganism in respiratory patients and suggest that M. amphoriforme may infect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised people. Further studies to characterize this organism are required, and this report provides the tools that may be used by other research groups to investigate its pathogenic potential.

Neonatal emergency transport teams and general emergency departments: Who will intubate the neonate?

OBJECTIVE: Confidence treating critically ill infants presenting to general ED may be limited by inexperience, with procedures deferred until specialised transport teams arrive. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analysed critical procedures performed by referring ED physicians, compared with a neonatal emergency transport service, on infants transferred over a 12-month period. RESULTS: All 150 eligible infants were included, with median (interquartile range) age 28 (16-43) days. Forty critical procedures were performed in this cohort. Of 26 intubations, 17 (65%) were performed by local ED physicians. CONCLUSION: Referring ED physicians perform the majority of critical procedures where infants require inter-hospital transfer by neonatal emergency transport service.

The impact of national guidelines on the assessment and management of acute paediatric asthma presenting at a tertiary children's emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Recent Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network/British Thoracic Society guidelines have highlighted best practice for asthma management. This study examines asthma management in a paediatric emergency setting before and after the publication of these guidelines. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network/British Thoracic Society guidelines on asthma management. METHODS: Retrospective review of patient notes over two equivalent 2-month periods in 2002 and 2003. Main outcomes were documentation of clinical history, examination, investigation, treatment and discharge; and also the use of various treatment modalities in each case. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four children presented with asthma, 100 in 2002 and 64 in 2003. Documentation was adequate throughout, though better when nursing staff were responsible. Completeness of documentation was not related to seniority or discipline of medical staff. Measurement of peak flow was poor in both years. The 'doubling up' of inhaled steroid dose for acute episodes was the only aspect of management affected by publication of the guidelines, with significantly fewer patients receiving this in 2003 (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Documentation within the centre is good but has potential for improvement. Guidelines have not impacted on this except when explicit statements are made regarding treatment.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting with atraumatic intermittent limp: a case report.

We report a case of a 34-month-old girl who presented with acute atraumatic intermittent limp. History and examination at this stage were not suggestive of an underlying serious disorder, but routine blood testing revealed abnormal results and prompted further investigations. She was subsequently diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. This case illustrates how routine phlebotomy lead to early diagnosis and facilitated instant therapy resulting in a significantly improved outcome for the child.

Clinical diagnosis of fractures in a paediatric population.

Diagnosing fractures in the paediatric population is a problematical process for which there are currently no accepted clinical criteria. We studied the physical signs sought by accident and emergency staff in 126 children with suspected fractures. We found a significant correlation between 'point tenderness' and fracture, as demonstrated by plain radiograph. 'Swelling' and 'redness' approached significance. These results correlate well with previous work in this area, but further research using a larger sample is required as confirmation.

Low back pain in the paediatric athlete.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to provide an overview of the epidemiology and clinical findings in children presenting to a sports injury clinic with 'low back pain' (LBP). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of presentation, management and outcome of children and adolescents presenting with back pain to a specialist paediatric sports injury clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive review of patients aged 8-16 years presenting with LBP to a specialist at sports injury clinic between January 2004 and December 2010 was performed. Epidemiological variables, historical points and examination features, including several 'red flags', were evaluated in each patient and the findings related to the diagnosis made from the consultant radiologist reported imaging at that time. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were analysed. LBP constituted 30% of presentations to the clinic. The median patient age in the study group was 14.0 years, with the male to female ratio of the population analysed being almost 1 : 1. For males, the most prevalent primary sport was rugby and for females, swimming was the most prevalent primary sport. Biomechanical back pain was most frequently diagnosed with spondylolysis, the most prevalent radiological diagnosis. CONCLUSION: No consistent demonstrable association was established between clinical presentation and final diagnosis. It was found that red flags could not be relied upon for the inclusion or the exclusion of a significant radiological finding. This study therefore suggests that, in this population group, a significant diagnosis cannot always be reliably excluded from clinical assessment alone.

Is measurement of capillary refill time useful as part of the initial assessment of children?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the usefulness of capillary refill time when measured during the initial assessment of children. METHODS: All children with spontaneous illness attending a paediatric accident and emergency department over a 7-month period were eligible for entry into the study. Capillary refill time was measured at the fingertip, using a standard technique, as part of the initial assessment. Each child was then followed up to ascertain clinical progress, including the need for admission, intravenous fluids, length of stay and diagnosis, as well as the white cell count when this was available. The value of capillary refill time as a predictor of the markers of illness severity was then assessed. RESULTS: Capillary refill time measurements were recorded on 4878 children. There was no significant association of capillary refill time with meningococcal disease, other significant bacterial illness or the white cell count. A prolonged capillary refill time was associated with a more urgent triage category, the administration of a fluid bolus and the length of hospital stay (P<0.0001). The best performance was obtained when a capillary refill time of 3s or more is taken to be 'prolonged'. However, this gave positive predictive values of only 9% for a triage category of 1 or 2 (negative predictive value 97%), 11% for requiring a fluid bolus (negative predictive value 99%), 55% for hospital admission (negative predictive value 65%) and 22% for stay over 2 days/death (negative predictive value 91%). CONCLUSION: The prolongation of capillary refill time is a poor predictor of the need for intravenous fluid bolus or hospital admission.

Pain assessment in the paediatric Emergency Department: whose view counts?

OBJECTIVES: To compare patient, guardian and professional assessment of acute pain in children presenting to an Emergency Department, and to examine whether there was a correlation between the scores obtained using the Faces and linear scales for each group. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study of 73 children aged 4-14 years attending a paediatric hospital Emergency Department between March and April 2002 with pain caused by an acute injury. The child's pain on admission, as estimated by the child, their guardian and a healthcare professional (nurse/doctor/emergency nurse practitioner) was recorded using a Faces scale and a linear scale. RESULTS: Professionals consistently score pain lower [median linear scale score 3.1; interquartile range (IQR) 1.6-5.3] than do patients (6.6; 4.9-7.4) or guardians (6.0; 3.9-7.1) using both linear and Faces scales. There is a significant correlation between pain scores obtained using the two scales for professionals [Spearman R value 0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.82-0.93], guardians (0.83; 0.74-0.89) and patients (0.42; 0.21-0.59). CONCLUSION: Professionals score pain lower than do children or guardians. Similar pain scores are obtained using both a Faces and a linear scale. This study offers no support for the introduction of a uniform pain assessment tool in a paediatric Emergency Department setting.

The epidemiology of fractures in children.

A retrospective study of all paediatric fractures presenting to hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2000 was undertaken. It showed that the incidence of fractures was 20.2/1000/year and that 61% of children's fractures occurred in males. Analysis of paediatric fractures shows that there are six basic fracture distribution curves with six fractures showing a bimodal distribution but most having a unimodal distribution affecting younger or older children. The incidence of fractures increases with age with falls from below bed height (<1m) being the commonest cause of fracture. The majority of fractures in children involve the upper limb. Lower limb fractures are mainly caused by twisting injuries and road traffic accidents. The incidence of fractures in cyclists and pedestrians remains relatively high whereas the incidence in vehicle occupants is low suggesting that road safety programs have been successful. Similar programs should be instituted for young cyclists. The importance of accident prevention programmes in the home is also highlighted.