Ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, and impairment of consciousness in a 19-month-old American boy.

A 19-month-old, white, Pennsylvanian boy, with an unremarkable medical history, presented to our hospital with a 3-week history of nonbloody, nonbilious emesis up to 5 times a day and nonbloody diarrhea. Ten days before admission, his gait became progressively unsteady, until he finally refused to walk. A day before admission, he found it difficult to move his eyes. The patient was hypoactive. History, physical and neurologic examination, blood and cerebrospinal (CSF) fluid studies, and neuroimaging studies ruled out the most frequent causes of acute ataxia. The etiology of bilateral, complete ophthalmoplegia was also taken into consideration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of bilateral thalami and mammillary bodies provided diagnostic clues. Additional history and specific tests established the final diagnosis and treatment plan. The patient improved to a normal neurologic state. This case provides important practical information about an unusual malnutrition cause of acute ataxia, particularly in young children of developing countries.

Efficacy of ShotBlocker in reducing pediatric pain associated with intramuscular injections.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of ShotBlocker (Bionix, Toledo, Ohio) in reducing pediatric pain with intramuscular (IM) injections. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in children aged 2 months to 17 years who required an IM injection. Children were randomized to the no-intervention group or the ShotBlocker group. Demographic data and the number of IM injections were recorded. Perceived pain scores were obtained from nurses and caregivers using a 6-point Likert-type scale. Baker Wong Faces scale was used in children 36 months or older. Difficulty using the device was also rated by nurses on a 6-point scale. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-five children were enrolled with 80 in the no-intervention arm and 85 in the ShotBlocker arm. The mean age of children was 45 months and 56% were male. Perceived pain scores by nurses were higher for the no-intervention group (2.6 vs 1.8, P < .001) as well as by caregivers (2.6 vs 2.1, P = .04). Children aged 36 months and older (n = 64) did not report a difference in pain scores (1.5 vs 1.3, P = .6); however, in a subgroup of children 72 months or older, pain scores trended higher in the no-intervention group (1.3 vs 0.5, P = .051). Nurse-perceived difficulty of ShotBlocker use was low 1.39 (+/-1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and caregivers noted lower pain scores in children assigned to the ShotBlocker group. These differences were not as evident when children rated their own pain.

Epidemiology and etiology of malpractice lawsuits involving children in US emergency departments and urgent care centers.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain epidemiologic outcome information about pediatric lawsuits that originate in the emergency department and urgent care center. METHODS: This was an anonymous retrospective review of all closed pediatric claims in the Physician Insurers Association of America database during a 16-year period (1985-2000). This database, containing data from 20 major malpractice insurance firms, insuring 25% US physicians, was queried for epidemiologic outcome information about pediatric lawsuits originating in US emergency departments and urgent care centers. RESULTS: There were 2283 closed claims reviewed. Of these, 96% originated in the emergency department, and 4% originated in an urgent care center. Nonteaching hospitals were the sites for 79% of claims. Suits involved emergency department physicians in 29%, pediatricians in 19%, board-certified physicians in 46%, US graduates in 70%, and full-time physicians in 96% of cases. In 66% of cases, doctors had a previous claim. In 65% of cases, more than 1 defendant was involved. Patients were boys in 59% and were younger than 2 years in 47%. The most common diagnoses involved in the lawsuits were meningitis, appendicitis, arm fracture, and testicular torsion. Cases in which the child died were most often from meningitis or pneumonia. The most common misadventures were diagnostic error (39%), and no medical error identified in 18%. OUTCOME: Cases were settled in 93% (indemnity paid in 30%). There was a judgment for the doctor in 5.5% and for the patient in 1.4%. The average indemnity/claim was US66,000 dollars in 1985 versus US218,000 dollars (+330%) in 1997. The average indemnity ranged from US7000 dollars for emotional injury, US149,000 dollars for death of the patient, US300,000 dollars for major permanent injury, and US540,000 dollars for quadriplegic from injury. There was no significant difference between teaching versus nonteaching hospitals, between urgent care center versus emergency department, US graduate physician versus non-US graduate, or physician age. Indemnity paid/claim for full-time physicians was US161,000 dollars versus US91,000 dollars for part-time physicians. Total paid to plaintiffs was US116 million dollars. Legal cost of defending the cases was US36 million dollars (including defense attorney fees, US24 million dollars, and expert witness fees, US3.4 million dollars). CONCLUSIONS: Malpractice suits most often involved fractures, meningitis, and appendicitis. Most suits are settled; many are apparently frivolous. Paid indemnities have dramatically increased in recent years. Verdicts decided by juries favored the doctor in 80% of suits.