In this descriptive study of pneumothorax management, PSP and SSP management did not differ and ICC insertion was the continuing preferred intervention. Overall success of aspiration was lower than reported results for adults, although success was greater for small than for large pneumothoraces. Paediatric prospective studies are urgently required to determine optimal paediatric interventional management strategies.

Objective: To describe the South Australian paediatric redback spider bite experience and to examine the hypothesis that redback antivenom (RBAV) treatment in children is clinically effective. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all children under 18 years of age presenting to the EDs of the three major paediatric or mixed hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia, with a discharge diagnosis of redback spider envenomation between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2020. The main outcome measures include: patient and bite demographics; presenting symptoms and signs; treatment provided; clinical effects at 2 h post RBAV administration on pain, diaphoresis, blood pressure, heart rate and systemic features; overall clinical impression of RBAV effectiveness and resolution of symptoms prior to discharge. Results: There were 256 patient encounters involving 235 patients. Latrodectism was described in onethird (34%) of the cases. Sixty-one patients received RBAV and in 57 (93%) patients the RBAV had good clinical effect. Two hours post RBAV administration, pain resolved in 71%, hypertension resolved in 62%, diaphoresis resolved in 43% and tachycardia resolved in 82%. There were no cases of urticaria or anaphylaxis and one case of serum sickness. Conclusions: This retrospective review of redback spider envenomation in South Australian children over a 10-year period has demonstrated clinical effectiveness of RBAV in paediatric patients across all age groups, observed in both clinician perceived results and measurable outcomes. RBAV remains an effective treatment for redback envenomation in children.

Economically and ecologically important ecosystems that consist of diverse finfish and shellfish resources are found along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Thus, the current study intends in assessing the species diversity, length-weight (L-W) relationships, and condition factor of sea cucumber stocks in selected coastal sites of southern Sri Lanka. The diversity of sea cucumber species was surveyed using the systematic sampling technique in three selected sites (Bandaramulla, Mirissa, and Weligama) during February-December 2019. The growth pattern of each species was identified using a least-squares regression model computed for length-weight relationships. Fulton’s condition factor (K) was analysed for each species. There were four common sea cucumber species (Holothuria atra - Lolly Fish, Bohadschia marmorata - White Thread fish, Actinipyga miliaris- Deep Water Blackfish, and Thelenota ananas- Prickly Redfish) in study sites, while Holothuria atra and Bohadschia marmorata were recorded as the most abundant species. The length-weight relationship derived for the above four species exhibited a negative allometric growth pattern (“b” < “3”), indicating faster length increment compared to weight. The habitat qualities of all sea cucumber species were in optimum environmental condition. Our findings would benefit as baseline data for implementing sustainable management practices of sea cucumber resources.

Interpretation: It is not surprising that respondents who did not access CHPS were younger, more frequently male and did not have children, as this demographic group is generally healthy and less likely to seek healthcare. Respondents who did access CHPS typically returned for another visit. There remains some confusion within the community about the role of CHPS in the community with respondents often requesting advanced health services beyond the scope of CHPS. These preliminary results suggest the CHPS compounds will be utilized by community members but that the public would benefit from education on how CHPS fits into and complements the larger health system.

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