An audit of paediatric pain prevalence, intensity, and treatment at a South African tertiary hospital.

Introduction: Pain in paediatric inpatients is common, underrecognised, and undertreated in resource-rich countries. Little is known about the status of paediatric pain prevention and treatment in low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives: This audit aimed to describe the prevalence and severity of pain in paediatric patients at a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Predicting postoperative haemoglobin changes after burn surgery.

Background: Burn surgery is associated with significant blood loss and fluid shifts that cause rapid haemoglobin (Hb) changes during and after surgery. Understanding the relationship between intraoperative and postoperative (day 1) Hb changes may assist in avoiding postoperative anaemia and unnecessary peri-operative blood transfusion.

Objective: To describe the Hb changes into the first day after burn surgery and to identify factors predictive of Hb changes that would guide blood transfusion decisions.

The use of preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine whether elevated preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide (NP) measurements are an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients having thoracic surgery.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: In-hospital and 30 days after thoracic surgery.