Biomedical subjects

T M Grattan-Smith

Publications and source records attributed to T M Grattan-Smith.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1993

Splenic injury in children: a 10 year experience.

The aim of this report was to review retrospectively the management of splenic trauma at a major Australian tertiary referral centre (Westmead Hospital) over a 10 year period. Forty-nine patients (0-15 years of age) with documented blunt splenic trauma were identified. The causes of splenic injury were road trauma (73%) and falls (27%). There were 22 minor injuries (Injury severity score [ISS] < 16) and 27 severe injuries (ISS > or = 16). All nine deaths were related to road trauma (mean ISS = 59). The investigation most commonly used was CT scanning (47%). Peritoneal lavage was performed in six patients (12%). Management involved non-operative care in 29 patients (57%), exploratory laparotomy alone in 5 (10%), splenic salvage in 2 (4%) and splenectomy in 13 (26%). This experience supports the view that non-operative management of splenic injury in haemodynamically stable children is safe and is the preferred treatment. Experienced assessment and meticulous observation is necessary. Laparotomy is indicated if there is continuing haemodynamic instability despite resuscitation. Operative management is aimed at splenic salvage with splenectomy being reserved for uncontrolled haemorrhage.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1992

Injuries and children.

Injury is one of the major disease processes in childhood and is the number one cause of death of children in Australia. Medical practitioners should be able to provide effective care for the injured child, but the most dramatic reductions in mortality and serious morbidity will be achieved with specific prevention strategies and with wider acceptance by our society that we have to provide a safe environment for our children. Medical practitioners should have a pre-eminent role in achieving these aims.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1991

Child drownings: a changing pattern.

Paediatric drownings in New South Wales during the years 1987-1990 are reviewed to document the current pattern. Over these three years we have registered 250 paediatric deaths by physical injury. Sixty-one (24%) of these deaths were by drowning. Twenty-nine of the 61 drownings (47%) occurred in domestic pools; 25 of these were in unfenced or inadequately fenced pools. Of the remaining four cases, one was associated with a chair being used to gain access and the other three remain unexplained. Thirty-three of the 61 drownings occurred in country areas; of these 10 were in pools, eight in rivers or creeks, six in boating accidents, four in the surf and three in dams. A changing trend identified by this study is the increasing percentage of drownings (44%) occurring in nominally "fenced" pools in which the fencing was not functioning because the gate was open or the fencing was in disrepair. Legislation must be supported by public education and council inspection if the full benefit of isolation fencing is to be realised. With respect to all drownings there is a continuing need for education about the dangers that bodies of water, even in the bath or a bucket, pose to young children, and the need for parents to strive for optimal supervision.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Quinine poisoning in children.

The accidental ingestion of quinine by children causes significant morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed quinine poisoning as presented in the medical literature and our experience of paediatric quinine poisoning during the period from January 1975 to September 1986. The clinical features that were seen in our patients were similar to those that are described in larger series. In our series, 13 children were identified, of whom 11 children were aged one to two years. Ten children either remained asymptomatic or made a complete recovery. Two children had a persisting major deficit and one died. Once ingestion of quinine has occurred, absorption should be prevented by the emptying of the stomach with ipecacuanha or gastric lavage promptly and then by the administration of activated charcoal. Once toxicity develops, supportive therapy should be given, but there is no specific therapy to reduce toxicity or to enhance elimination. Physicians who prescribe quinine should be aware of the potential dangers to small children.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The use of Glasgow Coma Scale in poisoning.

A 12-month prospective study was undertaken to observe current practice and to determine if a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 8 or less on admission is a useful parameter to predict the need for airway protection in poisoning. For the period of September 1988 to August 1989, there were 414 admissions for poisoning with 3 fatalities (0.7%). A total of 41 patients (10%) were assessed by attending physicians as requiring airway protection. An initial GCS of 8 or less had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 95% for predicting the need for intubation. Logistic regression analysis showed an odds ratio of 0.48 for the relationship between GCS and intubation, significant at P < 0.001. In addition, the absence of a gag reflex on admission gave a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 100% for predicting the need for airway protection. Further analysis showed that the presence or absence of a gag reflex added nothing to the GCS for the prediction of probability for intubation. In conclusion, an initial GCS of 8 or less was found to be a useful guideline for intubation. However, it should be used in conjunction with the clinical context.

Adolescent↗