Providing medical care for children

Article Abstract:

The role of the National Health Service (NHS) of Britain is to provide health care services. In the case of children, the NHS is responsible for providing the interaction between children and health care providers. However, problems sometimes arise between health professionals and those who control the distribution of health care resources. As purchasers, health authorities must ensure that the services are effective in preventing and controlling disease, are accessible to the entire population, and are cost-effective. Those who provide direct medical care for children have specific objectives, which include: (1) providing quality health care to all children; (2) supporting families in the care of their children; (3) ensuring that children reach adulthood without being disabled by illness or environmental hazards; (4) offering comprehensive health care; and (5) maintaining cost-effective management of services. These objectives also lend a sense of direction for those managing health care services. Children have special heath care needs, and simply adapting services designed for adults to a young population may not be appropriate. The success, or outcome, of a specific health service is often measured by the death rate. Perinatal mortality, which measures death during the period surrounding childbirth, and the handicap rate, which measures disability, have been used to assess health care services for children. Special and intensive care of the newborn, support of the family, methods of ensuring routine health examinations and vaccination of children, and sharing the responsibility for children's health and welfare among parents, health professionals, social services, and educators are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, United Kingdom, Practice, Children, Pediatrics, Child health, Child health services, Great Britain

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Do chesty children become chesty adults?

Article Abstract:

It is hypothesized that chronic respiratory diseases in children, particularly asthma and bronchiectasis (irreversible dilatation of the bronchial walls), predispose them to respiratory diseases in adulthood. The few studies that have examined asthmatic children later in life found that some wheezing children continued to wheeze into adulthood. In some cases, relapses occurred in the teen years despite partial or total remission of the disease during childhood. However, most children outgrew their asthma. Childhood bronchiectasis is thought to cause permanent lung damage that can lead to chronic breathing conditions resulting in excess phlegm production and the blockage of breathing passages. However, the lung damage that occurs during childhood does not fit the pathology that would be expected for the development of pulmonary emphysema. Epidemiological studies have found that geographical areas having a high concentration of childhood deaths from respiratory illnesses between 1921 and 1925 also had an increase in mortality from chronic bronchitis among adults living in the same area some 25 years later. The movement of chronic respiratory diseases from high-risk to low-risk areas would support the theory that these diseases originated in childhood. Public health officials continue to be intrigued by the suggestion that childhood respiratory diseases can advance to respiratory obstruction in adulthood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Development and progression, Prognosis, Lung diseases, Obstructive, Chronic obstructive lung disease, Asthma in children, Childhood asthma, Emphysema, Pulmonary, Emphysema, Pediatric respiratory diseases, editorial

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Accidental poisoning in children: can we admit fewer children with safety?

Article Abstract:

Accidental poisoning is a common problem in children in spite of child-resistant containers. Fortunately, most children do not become seriously ill since they most often ingest a relatively nontoxic compound or ingest very small amounts of toxic substances. Some children do, however, require expert medical care in order to survive poisoning. This article discusses a classification system which may allow a decrease in the rate of hospital admissions without refusing care to children who are seriously poisoned. Children who take substances of low toxicity would be sent home from emergency rooms, while those who ingest compounds of intermediate toxicity would be observed for several hours, and those who take still more toxic compounds would be admitted for observation and treatment. Children who take poisons deliberately or who are poisoned by another person would be admitted for assessment and treatment, and referral for child protection, where necessary. Parents would be advised about ways to prevent further accidents. The toxicity levels of a variety of medicines, household products, and plants are reviewed and discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Reports, Poisoning, Accidental, Accidental poisoning, Pediatric toxicology

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