There is probably no medical condition more frightening to a physician than a neonate in distress or exhibiting an acute problem. A physicians usual evaluation routine for a patient may be limited by the babys size and the young parents inability to convey exact historical details. Obtaining laboratory and imaging data may be difficult if the hospital or clinic staff is not familiar with neonates. These factors all add up to a potential delay or failure to make a critical diagnosis. The margin for error in a neonate is quite small due to its immunological immaturity and lack of physical reserves. Overlooking a problem early in the course can be life threatening to a neonate. Whether in an Emergency Department, office, or clinic setting, the practitioner must act quickly and decisively to avert a potential untoward outcome.
The goal of this activity is to point practitioners in the right direction when caring for infants. We discuss infection and sepsis, cardiac problems, respiratory problems, apnea and Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTE), seizures, malrotation with midgut volvulus, and hyperbilirubinemia. We examine a number of cases to highlight common medical errors and offer guidance related to the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of neonatal emergencies. After completing this activity, practitioners should be able to: assess the indications for lumbar puncture in febrile neonatal patients in order to make an early diagnosis and initiate treatment; evaluate neonatal patients presenting with an Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE) with an awareness that they may have a serious underlying medical condition as the cause of their ALTE; and identify the signs and symptoms of malrotation with midgut volvulus in neonatal patients.
- Provider:The Sullivan Group
- Activity Link: https://www.thesullivangroup.com/RSQSolutions/course-purchase-home/
- Start Date: 2022-09-23 05:00:00
- End Date: 2022-09-23 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 2.0 hours
- Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Competence, Learner Knowledge, Learner Performance, Patient Health
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all