In the Emergency Department, we are constantly juggling large lists of differential diagnoses. We become facile at sorting through the vast Ddx for seizures (ex, simple febrile seizures, complex seizures, neonatal seizures, eclampsia, seizure mimics) and syncope (ex, hair grooming…
Certainly there are many issues to consider while diagnosing and managing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), like the possibility of cerebral edema. Often, these ill patients complain of significant nausea and abdominal / chest pain as well. Before we just attribute those…
Humans are complex creatures and caring for them is challenging (to say the least). In order to provide superior care for all of the kids we see, we need to know the critical (ex, SHOCK, Difficult Airway, and Necrotizing Enterocolitis),…
Unquestionably, a lot of electrolyte panel laboratory studies get ordered reflexively and have little true clinical utility. The healthy kid (or adult for that matter) with vomiting and diarrhea for two days does not typically benefit from the “Chem 200”…
Recently, @EMHighAK (Alex Koyfman) asked about any “teaching points” with respect to Pediatric DKA and Cerebral Edema. In addition to referencing an oldie, but a goodie morsel on Cerebral Edema, I also mentioned that we should all be careful not…
Tobacco smoke is a health hazard for children (and us children of all ages). We know this. So it seems like movement away for cigarettes is good for everyone; however, the thirst for nicotine is still quite strong and is…
Thyroid disease is a common consideration for the ill adult patient, but not as commonly considered in children. That being stated, we have mentioned several conditions which may be related to thyroid disease in children (ex, Bulging Fontanelle, Fever of…