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D D Vernon

Publications and source records attributed to D D Vernon.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Nonketotic hyperosmolal diabetic coma in a child: management with low-dose insulin infusion and intracranial pressure monitoring.

Nonketotic hyperosmolal diabetic coma, which is rare in children, is associated with a high mortality in both children and adults. We report a case of nonketotic hyperosmolal diabetic coma in a 3 1/2-year-old child, who was successfully managed with low-dose insulin infusion and invasive intracranial pressure monitoring and recovered without sequelae. Despite severely elevated serum glucose (2,660 mg/dL) and osmolality (435 mosm/kg) levels, there was no elevation of intracranial pressure during her treatment. This case illustrates that insulin should be used cautiously and at low dose in this disease, and that intracranial pressure monitoring is of use in the management of such patients. The pathogenesis and clinical features of nonketotic hyperosmolal diabetic coma are briefly reviewed.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1983

Nontuberculous mycobacterial peritonitis associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

We report two patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in whom peritonitis developed and nontuberculous mycobacteria were isolated from peritoneal fluid. In one, Mycobacterium avium-intracellularis was the only organism isolated. Despite a three-month course of antibiotics to which the organism showed in vitro sensitivity, there was no apparent response. The patient died, and an autopsy showed disseminated mycobacterial disease. In the second case, Mycobacterium fortuitum and diphtheroids were isolated from the peritoneal fluid. Although it was not clear that the mycobacterium was solely responsible for the peritonitis in the second case, the infection failed to resolve with antibiotic therapy appropriate for diphtheroids. This patient also died. Both patients had indolent, chronic infections, although there was granulocyte predominance in the peritoneal fluid. Both had involvement of the catheter exit site. To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial peritonitis in CAPD patients. We recommend evaluation for mycobacteria, including cultures and stains of dialysate specimens, in all cases of CAPD-associated peritonitis where no organism is identified, or where no improvement is noted after 48 hours of therapy. Repeated cultures for mycobacteria are appropriate for suggestive cases. Since these infections are difficult to treat, it may be prudent to remove the dialysis catheter if they are isolated.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Usage of emergency medical services by children with special health care needs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the usage of emergency medical services (EMS) by children with special health care needs (CSHCN). METHODS: All EMS runs and related hospital records for children aged 0-17 years in Utah in 1991-92 were linked. The CSHCN status was determined from ICD-9 diagnoses using three available definitions. The amounts of EMS usage were compared between CSHCN and other children. A pediatric intensive care practitioner determined CSHCN status by chart review for 915 children transported by EMS to a pediatric tertiary care hospital, and his classification was compared with the CSHCN status assigned by the three ICD-9-based definitions. RESULTS: The three definitions assigned CSHCN status for 2% to 24% of children using EMS. When compared with other children, CSHCN were more likely to be admitted to the hospital, more likely to use EMS for transfer between health care facilities, and more likely to receive prehospital procedures such as intravenous therapy. In the group of children whose charts were reviewed individually, one ICD-9-based definition most closely agreed to determination of CSHCN status by a pediatric intensive care practitioner. CONCLUSIONS: Children with special health care needs who use EMS are more likely to receive advanced life support service, to receive prehospital procedures, and to be transferred from one health care facility to another. There is need for a specific and measurable definition of CSHCN that can be applied to existing health data.

Adolescent↗