[Current emergency medicine for neurological disorders in children].
In 2006, the number of pediatric outpatients consulting our hospital during non-practice hours increased by 218.1% of that in 1996. The number of pediatric inpatients during non-practice hours in 2006 increased by 71.3% of that in 1996. In 2006, the number of patients who were admitted with neurological disorders in children during non-practice hours increased to 213.3% of that in 1996. The proportion of these pediatric patients among those who were admitted during non-practice hours was 16.6% in our hospital, suggesting the importance of neurological disorders in pediatric emergency medicine. More than 60% of inpatients with neurological disorders in children were 3 years old or younger. The most common neurological symptoms observed at admission included convulsion (81.6%) and disturbance of consciousness (8.5%). The disorders were mainly febrile seizure (41.4%) and epilepsy (29.0%). Most patients with severe disorders requiring emergency medicine, such as head bruise, acute encephalitis/encephalopathy, purulent meningitis, and head trauma, were admitted during non-practice hours. The prognoses of most neurological disorders in children were favorable. However, patients with sequelae (especially, hypoxic encephalopathy, acute encephalitis/encephalopathy) showed an unfavorable neurological prognosis. Early rehabilitation during admission was useful as a support method for their families. In the future, a comprehensive rehabilitation program for children with acquired brain injury should be established and laws to promote home care must be passed.
Osamura
Toshio
T
Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, 355-5 Haruobi-cho, Marutamachi agaru, Kamannza-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8026, Japan.
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis