Dead Head: Ivermectin vs. Malathion for Hard-to-Treat Lice
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Free
Oral ivermectin is an effective backup when topical treatment fails.
By Mark V. Dahl, MD
March 10, 2010
Covering:
Chosidow O et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 11; 362:896
Reducing Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections in Children
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Compliance with special policies for insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters was associated with a 43% reduction in the infection rate.
Maternal Flu and the Postnatal Brain: An Animal Study
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
In rhesus monkeys, titers of virus-specific immunoglobulin are associated with brain abnormalities.
By Barbara Geller, MD
March 1, 2010
Covering:
Short SJ et al., Biol Psychiatry 2010 Jan 13
Update on Evaluation and Treatment of Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Recent evidence supports the 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of bronchiolitis.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
February 26, 2010
Covering:
Zorc JJ and Hall CB., Pediatrics 2010 Feb; 125:342
Dengue Virus Infections in Infants
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
In a dengue-endemic area, the incidence of dengue infection exceeded 10% in infants aged 2–15 months; illness was generally mild or asymptomatic.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
February 24, 2010
Covering:
Capeding RZ et al., Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010 Feb; 82:330
Dosing Cups for Children's Liquid Medications: Overdoses Are Common
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Parents and guardians must be taught to measure correctly, and better measuring devices are needed to prevent dosing errors.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
February 19, 2010
Covering:
Yin HS et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2010 Feb; 164:181
Preventing Those Last Few Cases of MTCT
Even mothers with virologic suppression at delivery occasionally transmit HIV to their infants at birth. A new case-control study suggests that these infections might be prevented with earlier antiretroviral use during pregnancy.
Tachypnea Is a Poor Predictor of Pneumonia in Children
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
An elevated respiratory rate in children younger than 5 years is less than 50% sensitive for predicting pneumonia.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
January 29, 2010
Covering:
Shah S et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Dec 21
Rotavirus Vaccine: Benefits and a Possible Risk
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Three new studies show that rotavirus vaccine is safe and effective, even in developing countries, but it may be risky for severely immunodeficient children.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
January 27, 2010
Covering:
Madhi SA et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 28; 362:289
Richardson V et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 28; 362:299
Patel NC et al., N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 28; 362:314
A New Culprit for Pharyngitis in Adolescents
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Free
A gram-negative anaerobe that causes Lemierre syndrome has become a common cause of pharyngitis.
C-Reactive Protein Level Predicts SBI in Febrile Neonates
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
In well-appearing neonates with fever without a source, CRP measured more than 12 hours after fever onset was a better predictor of severe bacterial infection than ANC or WBC.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
January 15, 2010
Covering:
Bressan S et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Nov 25
H1N1: What Have We Learned?
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
An overview of the history, presentation, diagnosis, and management of 2009 H1N1 influenza, with a focus on children
By Katherine Bakes, MD
January 15, 2010
Covering:
Jain R and Goldman RD., Pediatr Emerg Care 2009 Nov; 25:791
Human Metapneumovirus: Innocent Bystander or Important Pathogen?
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Among young children with alveolar infiltrates, HMPV was second only to RSV as a viral pathogen.
Looking Far Afield . . .
Some day, perhaps, we will fight HPV infection by inhibiting furin proprotein convertases.
A Single H1N1 Immunization for Children?
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
A randomized clinical trial showed that a single 15-µg dose was immunogenic for children aged 6 months or older.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
January 6, 2010
Covering:
Nolan T et al., JAMA 2010 Jan 6; 303:37
Fiore AE and Neuzil KM., JAMA 2010 Jan 6; 303:73
Treatment of Gastroenteritis in Children
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Guideline adherence was associated with 50% lower costs in the treatment of outpatients with uncomplicated acute gastroenteritis.
More Progress on Preventing HIV Infection in Infants
Three trials this year pointed to the benefits of extending maternal antiretroviral prophylaxis throughout the breast-feeding period.
Top Stories in Infectious Diseases for 2009
Infectious Diseases
Letter to Readers
Free
A perspective on the most important research in the field from the past year
More on H1N1 Virus in Children
Asthma is a significant risk factor among children hospitalized with H1N1 virus infections.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 23, 2009
Covering:
O'Riordan S et al., CMAJ 2009 Nov 19
Suntarattiwong P et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Nov 25
What Can We Learn from the Early H1N1 Influenza Experience in Mexico?
Children and young adults have the highest incidence of infection, and elders have the highest mortality.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 2, 2009
Covering:
Echevarría-Zuno S et al., Lancet 2009 Nov 12
Laguna-Torres VA and Benavides JG., Lancet 2009 Nov 12
An Outbreak of Turtle-Associated Salmonella Infection
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Despite a federal ban on the sale of small turtles, a large multistate outbreak of turtle-associated salmonellosis occurred in 2007.
3% Hypertonic Saline for Bronchiolitis
Infants treated with hypertonic saline had outcomes similar to those treated with normal saline.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 25, 2009
Covering:
Grewal S et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Nov; 163:1007
ART in HIV-Infected Children Previously Exposed to Single-Dose Nevirapine
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care
Summary and Comment
Free
A study from Uganda supports the WHO recommendation to avoid using NNRTI-based regimens in these children.
By Dhayendre Moodley, PhD
November 23, 2009
Covering:
Musiime V et al., AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2009 Oct; 25:989
Do Chlorhexidine Vaginal and Neonatal Wipes Prevent Sepsis?
Although chlorhexidine did not significantly reduce neonatal mortality from vertically transmitted sepsis in this study, we should not abandon this intervention.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
November 18, 2009
Covering:
Cutland CL et al., Lancet 2009 Oct 20
Mullany LC and Biggar RJ., Lancet 2009 Oct 20
Rapid Influenza Test Helps Identify Low-Risk Febrile Infants
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Free
A positive rapid influenza test result predicted low risk for serious bacterial infection in febrile infants younger than 3 months.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
November 13, 2009
Covering:
Mintegi S et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Nov; 28:1026