Acute liver failure
Chapter 38 Acute liver failure Elizabeth Sizer, Julia Wendon DEFINITION AND AETIOLOGY Acute liver failure (ALF) is a complex multisystemic illness that evolves after significant liver insult. The liver damage…
Shock and cardiac disease in children
Chapter 101 Shock and cardiac disease in children Robert D. Henning Most cases of shock in childhood are caused by hypovolaemia (Table 101.1) or sepsis. The causes, clinical course, management…
Maxillofacial and upper-airway injuries
Chapter 68 Maxillofacial and upper-airway injuries Cyrus Edibam MAXILLOFACIAL INJURIES Life-threatening haemorrhage and airway obstruction are common complications accompanying severe blunt or penetrating maxillofacial and neck injury. Injuries may be…
Upper respiratory tract obstruction in children
Chapter 97 Upper respiratory tract obstruction in children Alan W. Duncan Upper respiratory tract obstruction (URTO) is a common cause of respiratory failure in infants and children. This reflects the…
Severe sepsis
Chapter 61 Severe sepsis A Raffaele De Gaudio The incidence of sepsis has increased steadily over the last three decades, at least in part because of ageing western populations.1 Nearly…
Management of acute poisoning
Chapter 80 Management of acute poisoning Duncan L.A. Wyncoll Acute poisoning remains one of the commonest medical emergencies, accounting for 5–10% of hospital medical admissions. Although in the majority of…
Paediatric poisoning
Chapter 105 Paediatric poisoning James Tibballs EPIDEMIOLOGY The peak incidence of poisoning in childhood is among 1–4 year olds. It usually occurs in the home when the child ingests a…
Airway management and acute upper-airway obstruction
Chapter 25 Airway management and acute upper-airway obstruction Gavin M. Joynt The primary objective of airway management is to secure unobstructed gas exchange and protect the lungs from soiling. Because…
Spinal injuries
Chapter 70 Spinal injuries Geoff A. Gutteridge There are few injuries that have a more devastating impact on both the patient and their family than spinal cord injuries (SCI). The…
Acute respiratory failure in children
Chapter 98 Acute respiratory failure in children Alan W. Duncan Established or imminent respiratory failure is the commonest reason for admission to neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs). A…
