title: Development of Pediatric Neurologic Emergency Life Support Course: A Preliminary Report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute neurological emergencies (ANEs) in children are common life-threatening illnesses and are associated with high mortality and severe neurological disability in survivors, if not recognized early and treated appropriately. We describe our experience of teaching a short, novel course "Pediatric Neurologic Emergency Life Support" to pediatricians and trainees in a resource-limited country.
  
  
  METHODS
  This course was conducted at 5 academic hospitals from November 2013 to December 2014. It is a hybrid of pediatric advance life support and emergency neurologic life support. This course is designed to increase knowledge and impart practical training on early recognition and timely appropriate treatment in the first hour of children with ANEs. Neuroresuscitation and neuroprotective strategies are key components of this course to prevent and treat secondary injuries. Four cases of ANEs (status epilepticus, nontraumatic coma, raised intracranial pressure, and severe traumatic brain injury) were taught as a case simulation in a stepped-care, protocolized approach based on best clinical practices with emphasis on key points of managements in the first hour.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven courses were conducted during the study period. One hundred ninety-six physicians including 19 consultants and 171 residents participated in these courses. The mean (SD) score was 65.15 (13.87%). Seventy percent (132) of participants were passed (passing score > 60%). The overall satisfaction rate was 85%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric Neurologic Emergency Life Support was the first-time delivered educational tool to improve outcome of children with ANEs with good achievement and high satisfaction rate of participants. Large number courses are required for future validation.
authors: From the *Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital; †Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital Karachi; ‡Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors: Anwarul
authors: A
authors: Haque
authors: Fehmina
authors: F
authors: Arif
authors: Qalab
authors: Q
authors: Abass
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004630:Emergencies; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000379:methods*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education*; D000070316:Pediatric Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods*