BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE), although rare, is a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, and methods of prophylaxis are therefore often used for women considered to be at risk. This may include women who have given birth by caesarean section, those with a personal or family history of VTE and women with inherited or acquired thrombophilias (conditions that predispose people to thrombosis). Many methods of prophylaxis carry risks of adverse effects, and as the risk of VTE is often low, it is possible that the benefits of thromboprophylaxis may be outweighed by harms. Guidelines for clinical practice have been based on expert opinion rather than high-quality evidence from randomised trials.
ObjectivesTo assess the effects of thromboprophylaxis in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and are at increased risk of VTE on the incidence of VTE and adverse effects of treatment.
Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (27 November 2013).
Selection criteriaRandomised trials comparing one method of thromboprophylaxis with placebo or no treatment, and randomised trials comparing two (or more) methods of thromboprophylaxis.
Data collection and analysisAt least two review authors assessed trial eligibility and quality and extracted the data.1 Prophylaxis for venous thromboembolic disease in pregnancy and the early postnatal period (Review)
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Objective
Children frequently present with head injuries to acute care settings. Although international paediatric clinical practice guidelines for head injuries exist, they do not address all considerations related to triage, imaging, observation versus admission, transfer, discharge and follow‐up of mild to moderate head injuries relevant to the Australian and New Zealand context. The Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) set out to develop an evidence‐based, locally applicable, practical clinical guideline for the care of children with mild to moderate head injuries presenting to acute care settings.
Methods
A multidisciplinary Guideline Working Group (GWG) developed 33 questions in three key areas – triage, imaging and discharge of children with mild to moderate head injuries presenting to acute care settings. We identified existing high‐quality guidelines and from these guidelines recommendations were mapped to clinical questions. Updated literature searches were undertaken, and key new evidence identified. Recommendations were created through either adoption, adaptation or development of de novo recommendations. The guideline was revised after a period of public consultation.
Results
The GWG developed 71 recommendations (evidence‐informed = 35, consensus‐based = 17, practice points = 19), relevant to the Australian and New Zealand setting. The guideline is presented as three documents: (i) a detailed Full Guideline summarising the evidence underlying each recommendation; (ii) a Guideline Summary; and (iii) a clinical Algorithm: Imaging and Observation Decision‐making for Children with Head Injuries.
Conclusions
The PREDICT Australian and New Zealand Guideline for Mild to Moderate Head Injuries in Children provides high‐level evidence and practical guidance for front line clinicians.
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