Intramuscular atropine sulfate in children: comparison of injection sites

Drug allergies and implications for dental practice

Adverse reactions to medications prescribed or administered in dental practice can be worrying. Most of these reactions are somewhat predictable based on the pharmacodynamic properties of the drug. Others, such as allergic and pseudoallergic reactions, are generally unpredictable and unrelated to normal drug action. This article will review immune and nonimmune-mediated mechanisms that account for allergic and related reactions to the particular drug classes commonly used in dentistry. The appropriate management of these reactions will also be addressed.

Securing the child's airway in the emergency department

Airway management is an important aspect of pediatric emergency care. Prompt, effective airway access can mean the difference between a good outcome and disability or death. Optimal management requires an understanding of the differences between children and adults with respect to airway anatomy and physiology and response to medications to facilitate airway access. In most cases, the emergency physician is called to secure a child's airway with little forewarning. This review details a logical and practical approach to the uncomplicated pediatric airway. Emphasis is also placed on recognition of the difficult airway and methods to render the difficulty less daunting. Good judgment and the appropriate skills are the prerequisites for success.