ABSTRACT
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is the most common hip pathology in children aged 8-15 years old. Research has shown that when a nonorthopedic provider evaluates this patient population, there can be a significant delay in the appropriate treatment, which may have serious consequences for the prognosis of the patient. The delays are often caused by the practitioner's inability to put the clinical picture into focus with regard to how these patients typically present.. This article presents the demographics, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, radiological and physical examination techniques, and prevention strategies to recognize this condition and provide early intervention.
Subject(s)
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses , Adolescent , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Early Intervention, Educational , Humans , Radiography , Referral and Consultation , Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses/diagnostic imaging , Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses/surgeryABSTRACT
Most seriously ill children in Australia and New Zealand are cared for in specialised intensive care units associated with tertiary children's hospitals. Highly regionalised models of care are in operation. Children from remote areas are transported to intensive care by paediatric emergency transport services. Indigenous children have disease and injury patterns similar to parts of the developing world and are over-represented in the intensive care population. The outcome for children admitted to intensive care compares favourably with international benchmarks. There is also evidence of uniformity of outcomes across paediatric intensive care units in the region and that outcomes have been improving. Although there are some downward pressures on intensive care workloads (preventative strategies such as immunisation, safety campaigns), these are counterbalanced by new surgical initiatives and increasing expectations of extended high tech support for children with life shortening diseases and disabilities. This expanding group of technology-dependent children will be one of the major challenges facing health authorities and intensive care physicians in this region in the coming decade.
