Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children in Oslo, Norway.

AIM: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children before the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine in the national vaccination programme. METHODS: For the period 21 May 2003 to 20 May 2005 hospitalization rates for pneumonia in children were obtained from retrospective studies of medical journals. Pneumonia was also studied prospectively in children less than sixteen years old referred to Ullevål University Hospital (Oslo) in the same time period. RESULTS: The overall observed hospitalization rate of pneumonia was 14.7/10 000 (95% CI: 12.2-17.1), for children under five it was 32.8/10 000 (95% CI: 26.8-38.8), and for children under two 42.1/10 000 (95% CI: 32.0-52.3). In the clinical study 123 children, of whom 59% (73) were boys, met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Only 2.4% (3) had pneumonia complicated with pleural effusion and in general few complications were observed. No patients required assisted ventilation, and none were transferred to the intensive care unit. Penicillin was effective as treatment for pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Pneumonia, seen in a paediatric department in Oslo, is a common but benign disease. Penicillin is effective as treatment for pneumonia in Norwegian children.

[Acupuncture--a complementary treatment in general practice]. / Akupunktur--et supplement i allmennpraksis.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is the complementary treatment most commonly used by general practitioners. This study describes the use of acupuncture among Norwegian general practitioners trained in acupuncture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By telephone or mail, a questionnaire was presented to 212 general practitioners who had completed training in complementary acupuncture. They were asked to describe the use and effect of acupuncture and their attitude towards acupuncture. RESULTS: Of the 111 physicians who replied (53%), 67 (60%) used acupuncture in their clinical practice. 78% had acupuncture courses of less than four weeks' duration only. 52% stated that acupuncture was the preferred treatment in more than 5% of their patients. About 70-80% used acupuncture as a supplement to conventional treatment. Acupuncture was commonly used in patients with musculoskeletal pain (93%), migraine (66%), and headache (63%), less often in patients with nausea, allergy, anxiety, sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal disorders. Improvement was reported in approximately three out of four patients. Lack of time was regarded as the major limitation to the use of acupuncture. INTERPRETATION: Many general practitioners trained in complementary acupuncture use acupuncture as an integrated part of their clinical practice.