From 1970 to 1998, 35 children with omphalocele (OC) and 31 with gastroschisis (GS) were treated at the Department of Paediatric Surgery at Lübeck Medical University. Forty of 43 survivors were examined in 1990, the data of 30 patients were renewed in 1999 and 12 new cases added. Total follow-up was 1-28 years. Primary closure was possible in 25 OCs and 20 GSs. Eighteen children with OC and 8 with GS suffered from additional abnormalities, which were treated simultaneously. Twenty percent of the babies with OC died mostly because of severe congenital anomalies and 12.9% of GS because of infectious complications in combination with other diseases. There were no more deaths in the last decade. Accordingly, there was a reduction in consecutive operations. Improvements were due to better operative and perioperative treatment as well as abortions following improved ultrasound examinations. The results of the literature and our own experience show the benefit of primary closure. A two-stage approach with dura/amnion or a silo procedure prevents high intra-abdominal pressure, therefore, indirect measurements of intra-abdominal pressure can be used exceptionally. Umbilical preservation offers better cosmetic results. Long-term follow-up reveals normal growth and development of the children except for those with severe congenital anomalies. All the others are participating without problems in normal activities and education without reduction in their quality of life. Today an isolated OC or GS is not an indication for abortion. If prenatal OC or GS is diagnosed, paediatric surgeons should be involved in the consultations.

In 2015 the number of refugees who sought asylum in Germany has increased dramatically. Therefore, the medical care for these refugees faces huge challenges. The treatment of mental illness of refugees is a particular difficult topic. Objective of this study is the acquisition of the outpatient prescriptions of drugs for newly arrived refugees in Erlangen, focused on psychotropic drugs. Evaluation of all outpatient prescribed drugs (n=1 137), which were prescribed between 10/01/2014 and 09/30/2015 for asylum seekers living in the refugee center in Erlangen, a branch of the "Central Admission Institution" ("ZAE") Zirndorf. Funding organization of this treatment is the City of Erlangen. Settlement documents of the City of Erlangen were used for the analysis. The prescribed drugs cover the spectrum of acute primary care. Big parts of the prescription rates are antiinfectives (ATC-Code: J), medication for the respiratory system (ATC: R), as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID's: ibuprofen, paracetamol, metamizole). The prescription of psychotropic drugs is relatively underrepresented.

The number of refugees arriving in Europe increased dramatically in 2015, challenging the German health system. Amongst others, the treatment of infectious diseases is an important topic in refugee healthcare. A high prevalence of multi-drug-resistant organisms has been identified among the refugee population. Still, little is known about the prescription of antibiotic medication for refugees. We conducted a descriptive analysis of all antibiotics prescribed to newly arrived refugees who were treated as outpatients between 10/01/2014 and 09/30/2015 in Erlangen, an average sized German town. The City’s invoicing documents were used to collect data on prescriptions written for refugees. Basic penicillins, aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor and cephalosporins constituted the largest proportion of antibiotics prescribed in the adult refugee group. Of these, both aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase-inhibitor as well as basic penicillins were prescribed significantly more often compared to non-refugees. We conclude that the high percentage of prescriptions of aminopenicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor is striking and should be further investigated.

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