Treatment for Children with Viral-Induced Wheeze
Treatment with oral or inhaled corticosteroids is not warranted for children without history of atopy or family history of asthma, but medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene inhibitors might be warranted in children who seem to be at risk for asthma.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 21, 2009
Covering:
Bacharier LB et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1127
Ducharme FM et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:339
Panickar J et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:329
Bush A., N Engl J Med 2009 Jan 22; 360:409
Folic Acid Supplementation During Pregnancy and Respiratory Risk in Offspring
Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy slightly increased risk for wheeze and lower respiratory tract infections in infants and toddlers.
Lessons from Blister Juice
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
An observation in Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis may point the way to new therapeutic avenues.
Antibiotics to Prevent COPD Exacerbations?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
In a small study, erythromycin recipients had fewer and shorter exacerbations than did placebo recipients.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
January 8, 2009
Covering:
Seemungal TAR et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1139
Kunisaki KM and Niewoehner DE., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008 Dec 1; 178:1098
Incidence of Anaphylaxis in the General Population
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The most common inciting agents were foods, insect stings, and medications.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
December 30, 2008
Covering:
Decker WW et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1161
Simons FER and Sampson HA., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008 Dec; 122:1166
News Alert — New Warnings on Asthma Drugs
An FDA advisory panel recently voted to ban use of Serevent (salmeterol) and Foradil (formoterol) for treatment of asthma in children and adults.
Cross-Reactions to Antiepileptic Drugs Are Common
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Patients receiving anticonvulsant agents are often sensitive to more than one agent, and cutaneous reactions are particularly common.
By Jeffrey P. Callen, MD
December 19, 2008
Covering:
Alvestad S et al., Epilepsy Res 2008 Aug; 80:194
Hirsch LJ et al., Neurology 2008 Nov 4; 71:1527
A Natural Product for Topical Psoriasis Therapy
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Indigo naturalis can relieve the blues in patients with psoriasis (despite a little staining).
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Lin Y-K et al., Arch Dermatol 2008 Nov; 144:1457
Immunostaining for Drug-Induced Pemphigus: Useful?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A histology-based diagnostic tool holds promise for distinguishing between pemphigus types.
By Angelica Selim, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Maruani A et al., Am J Clin Pathol 2008 Sep; 130:369
How Safe Is General Anesthesia in Children with Mastocytosis?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
With proper precautions, young patients with this condition can receive general anesthesia.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
December 12, 2008
Covering:
Carter MC et al., Anesth Analg 2008 Aug; 107:422
Effect of Reported Antibiotic Allergies on Drug Selection
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Allergies noted in the medical record — sometimes incorrectly — can adversely affect antibiotic selection.
By Lynn L. Estes, PharmD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Lutomski DM et al., Pharmacotherapy 2008 Nov; 28:1348
Skin Rashes with Antiepileptic Drugs
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Of 1875 outpatients with epilepsy, 14% developed rashes that were thought to be caused by at least one antiepileptic drug; 4% developed rashes with two or more drugs.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
November 20, 2008
Covering:
Hirsch LJ et al., Neurology 2008 Nov 4; 71:1527
Rice and Enterocolitis: Food for Thought
Even rice can elicit food protein-induced enterocolitis.
Clues to Improving Management of Persistent Asthma in Children
Suboptimal control of asthma and underuse of controller medication in children are associated with parents’ low expectations for symptom control, concern about competing priorities, lack of a routine for administering asthma medications, and concern about long-term effects of asthma medications.
By Martin T. Stein, MD
November 5, 2008
Covering:
Smith LA et al., Pediatrics 2008 Oct; 122:760
Type of Home Heating Affects Childhood Asthma Symptoms
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Installation of efficient, nonpolluting heating systems led to improvements in asthma symptoms but not lung function.
Do Fish and Birds Reduce Eczema in Infants?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Pet birds and an early piscean diet were reported in homes with less itch.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
October 17, 2008
Covering:
Alm B et al., Arch Dis Child 2008 Sep 25
Acetaminophen Use in Infancy Is Associated with Childhood Asthma
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Risk for asthma symptoms at age 6 to 7 years was increased in children who took acetaminophen for fever during the first year of life.
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
October 17, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011
Serologic Test for Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Progressive expansion of the epitope-binding profile of IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies in patients with gluten sensitivity may explain the eventual development of dermatitis herpetiformis in some.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
October 10, 2008
Covering:
Hull CM et al., Br J Dermatol 2008 Jul; 159:120
Does Measuring Exhaled Nitric Oxide Improve Asthma Care in Adolescents?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Monitoring exhaled nitric oxide did not improve symptoms or lung function in this randomized controlled study.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 30, 2008
Covering:
Szefler SJ et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1065
Acetaminophen and Asthma in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Retrospective results suggest a relation between acetaminophen use in infancy and development of asthma.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 25, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011
Is Acetaminophen Use Linked to Asthma in Young Children?
The results of this retrospective study suggest an association but do not establish a causal relation.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011
Long-Term Use of Synbiotics Is Safe
A large randomized trial confirms the safety of prenatal probiotic exposure and synbiotic exposure in healthy young infants.
Roach Rash
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Cockroach and dust mite antigens disrupt the skin barrier.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
September 12, 2008
Covering:
Jeong SK et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Aug; 128:1930
Roelandt T et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Aug; 128:1878
Do Moisturizers Promote the Development of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
The findings have been widely reported in the press, but the evidence is not definitive, and applicability remains to be proved.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
September 5, 2008
Covering:
Lu Y-P et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Aug 14
Naltrexone Linked to Injection-Site Reactions
Nearly 200 people receiving extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol) have reported adverse injection-site reactions, including cellulitis, induration, hematoma, abscess, sterile abscess, and necrosis, the FDA...
