Accidental injury (Trauma) leads to more pediatric deaths than ALL OTHER CAUSES COMBINED! Fortunately, unlike in adults, thoracic trauma is less common in kids (only 4-6% of pediatric traumas). Unfortunately, it is the SECOND leading cause of death after blunt…
Cerebral edema is the most feared emergent complication of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis. Fortunately, it is relatively rare, but the rarity can lead to some confusion when it comes to its management. We recently discussed the use of mannitol and…
Recall your medical school application? Do you remember what you wrote about in your personal statement? I would be willing to bet that a good majority of you wrote about wanting to “make a difference.” Those of us that spend…
On this first Ped EM Morsel of the New Year (HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!), I feel like it is a great opportunity to emphasize a common theme of the Morsels: remaining vigilant and looking for the severe illness masquerading as…
There has been a lot of focus on the appropriate evaluation of pediatric MINOR head injury (we’ve even covered the 3 month old caveat and concussions); however, let us not forget that MAJOR head injury is a serious public health…
We often instruct with absolutes. “Never let the sun set on a pleural effusion.” “You’re not dead until you’re warm and dead.” “Never intubate an asthmatic.” Well, often medical decisions exist in a much less dichotomous realm. It is great…
We all care for many children who present with fever, nausea, and vomiting. Naturally, one of our first goals is to consider severe and life-threatening conditions and, fortunately, many times these are apparent on clinical exam. Unfortunately, certain patient populations,…