title: The importance of language and culture in pediatric care: case studies from the Latino community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have examined culture's effect on pediatric care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze 3 cases illustrating the importance of culture in pediatrics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case analysis with a cultural competency model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No interpreter was available for the parents of a 3-year-old brought to the emergency department because of abdominal pain; she was discharged twice, returned with an acute abdomen, and was hospitalized for treatment of appendiceal rupture and peritonitis. A 2-year-old fractured her clavicle in a fall but was placed in social services' custody because of a pediatrician's misinterpretation. Parents of a ventilation-dependent 2-week-old with encephalopathy, seizures, and renal failure were unaware of the infant's poor prognosis, despite use of an interpreter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Culture can have a significant impact on pediatric care; use of a simple model can ensure that pediatricians provide culturally competent care.
authors: Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, 02118, USA.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Flores
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Abreu
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Schwartz
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hill
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003469:Culture; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce