Category Environmental

Heat-Related Illness

With the subtly that only Mother Nature has, the days in the Northern Hemisphere have started to get longer and become consistently warmer.  This, along with the fast approaching end of the school year, heralds the beginning of summer time. …

Melanoma in Kids

So, while many of us don’t want to admit it, a lot of what we do in the Emergency Department does not specifically qualify as an “emergency.”  Of course, while what constitutes an emergency is somewhat relative to the individual, for…

Pica

Growing up, we all knew “the kid who eats dirt” and if you don’t remember “the kid,” it is likely because you were that kid.  And look at you now… you’ve grown up so nicely.  So how can eating dirt…

Apparent Life-Threatening Event

Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE) Being specialists of emergencies we are facile with managing events that have the potential to threaten a person’s life.  It is interesting, then, that when a child presents to the ED with an Apparent Life-Threatening Event…

Head Lice – That Lousy Louse!

  No, Lice does not constitute a medical emergency… you know that… I know that… but parents will freak out if they are concerned that their child might have lice.  So, that will, inevitably, lead them to the nearest care-provider…

Popsicle Panniculitis

  Many management algorithms in the Pediatric ED have “Administration of Ice Popsicle” as the main nodal decision point and therapeutic maneuver.  Some days I feel like a drug dealer as I continually offer free Ice Pops to the little…

Childhood Injury – Still the leading cause of Mortality!

    We are all keenly aware that accidental injuries are the most significant cause of childhood mortality.  It is this fact that keeps us all busy in our clinical settings… and is also what frightens us parents of children the…