[Contusion of the lungs in childhood]. / Kontuze plic v detském veku.

The authors evaluated in a retrospective study a group of 45 patients with contusion of the lungs (age 1 to 15 years) who were treated at the Faculty Hospital in Motol in 1989-1993. In 38 children contusion of the lungs was part of multiple injuries with signs of failure of vital functions. These children were admitted after the injury to the in-patient department of the Anaesthesiological and Resuscitation Clinic. Seven children without alterations of vital functions were treated at the Department of Paediatric Surgery. The diagnosis was based on the case-history, clinical examination, X-ray examination and laboratory signs of lung injuries. An isolated pneumothorax was found in 17.8% of the injured children, haemothorax in 8.9% and in 24.5% pneumothorax and haemothorax. Severe craniocerebral injuries were diagnosed in 71% of patients, 37.8% children had concomitant injuries of the abdominal organs and retroperitoneum and 42% had fractures of the long bones. 46.6% of the children had rib fractures. The condition of 35 injured children called for endotracheal intubation (on average for 17 days) and artificial ventilation (on average for 14.4 days). 98% of the injured children were given antibiotics, in 84% steroids were administered, in 18 of the injured children (40%) drainage of the thoracic cavity was essential. Six patients (13.3%) drainage of the thoracic cavity was essential. Six patients (13.3%) died--the cause of death were severe injuries of the CNS.

[Results of psychological tests in children with long-term follow-up for Reye's syndrome]. / Výsledky psychologického vysetreni u deti dlouhodobe sledovaných po prodelaném Reyeove syndromu.

Within a 10-year period the authors investigated the incidence of mental disorders in a group of 65 children with a history of Reye's syndrome. From the investigation ensues that the majority of mental disorders is temporary, followed by complete recovery. Most frequently neurotic disorders were observed, disorders of motor coordination, impaired attention. These disorders persisted longest during the follow-up of patients who had suffered previously from the most severe forms of Reye's syndrome. From the total number of 65 children all mental disorders disappeared in 52.3%; 43% of the children ceased sooner or later to attend examinations and only 4.7% of the original group have still, after five years, speech disorders, neurotic manifestations and an impaired motor coordination.