Minerva

Croatia has suffered its fair share of human misery caused by explosive devices. Among 270 wounded people with 412 open fractures of the hand and foot, 21% had to undergo partial amputation. In another 21%, who sustained unstable short bone fractures, the fractures were externally stabilised with Kirschner's wires. This case series shows that the procedure produces reliable and adequate osteosynthesis. Liberal use of local antiseptic controlled the frequency of postoperative complications (Croatian Medical Journal 2001;42:630-3.

From rags to reading: prospects for child workers around the world are improving. The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) has now expanded to include almost 100 partner countries, while ratifications of Convention No 182 (on eliminating the worst forms of child labour) have passed the 100 mark (The World of Work 2001;41:4-6). In real terms, the programme has provided services to 311 000 of the 250 million child workers around the world.

Some children born with low Apgar scores remain at risk of minor problems well into school age. A large Norwegian cohort study finds that the combination of a low score at five minutes with neonatal neurological signs is a significant risk factor for learning difficulties later on (Archives …