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
Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Cheek
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Researchers describe a series of seven children with such infections. Recovery took many months, and clarithromycin did not seem to hasten resolution.
Chest X-Ray Abnormalities Associated with H1N1 Influenza Infection
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Patchy consolidation, often bilateral, was the most common finding.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Children with UTIs
Prophylaxis was associated with a modest but significant reduction in recurrent UTI.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 28, 2009
Covering:
Craig JC et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 29; 361:1748
Hoberman A and Keren R., N Engl J Med 2009 Oct 29; 361:1804
Prophylactic Acetaminophen Could Lower Response to Childhood Immunizations
General Medicine Summary and Comment
With or without acetaminophen, few infants suffered high fevers after immunization.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
October 27, 2009
Covering:
Prymula R et al., Lancet 2009 Oct 17; 374:1339
Lactoferrin and Sepsis: Good News for Low Birth Weight Infants
Lactoferrin reduced the incidence of late-onset sepsis in neonates.
Do Antipyretics Prevent Febrile Seizures?
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are no better than placebo for preventing recurrences of febrile seizures.
By Robin Drucker, MD
October 14, 2009
Covering:
Strengell T et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Sep; 163:799
Is Your Shower Like the Shower in the Bates Motel?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Researchers analyzed the microbial population living inside showerheads.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Feazel LM et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009 Sep 22; 106:16393
Do Atopic Dermatitis Patients with Eczema Herpeticum Have a Unique Phenotype?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Certain characteristics were more common in patients with AD and history of EH than in other AD patients.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Beck LA et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009 Aug; 124:260
Strep Antibodies and PANDAS: An Animal Study
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Researchers tie behavioral abnormalities to strep-associated antibodies.
By Barbara Geller, MD
October 9, 2009
Covering:
Yaddanapudi K et al., Mol Psychiatry 2009 Aug 11
New Options for HPV Vaccine
An FDA panel recommends approval of a new indication for the quadrivalent HPV vaccine and approval of a new HPV vaccine.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
October 7, 2009
Covering:
Dooren JC., Wall Street Journal. 2009 Sep 4,
Singer N., New York Times. 2009 Sep 9,
Young S., CNNhealth.com. 2009 Sep 9,
Richwine L., Reuters website. 2009 Sep 9,
Bacteremia in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
<$EMPH_O>Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella<$EMPH_C> species, and <$EMPH_O>Haemophilus influenzae<$EMPH_C> commonly cause bacteremia in Kenyan children with sickle cell anemia.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
September 30, 2009
Covering:
Williams TN et al., Lancet 2009 Sep 10
Hankins J and Ware RE., Lancet 2009 Sep 10
CA-MRSA as a Cause of Otitis Media
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Children with acute otitis media and tympanic membrane perforation who presented in 2001–2006 were more likely to have CA-MRSA isolated from ear aspirates than were children who presented in 1993–1998.
Good News and Bad News About 2009 H1N1 Influenza ("Swine Flu")
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Only a minority of stored serum samples in the U.S. contained antibodies against H1N1, but a new vaccine easily elicited them.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
September 17, 2009
Covering:
Hancock K et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Clark TW et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
Greenberg ME et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10
S. aureus Colonization Predicts Atopic Dermatitis in Infants
Colonization of the anterior nares with <$EMPH_O>S. aureus<$EMPH_C> at age 6 months was associated with the development and severity of atopic dermatitis during the first 2 years of life.
By Robin Drucker, MD
September 16, 2009
Covering:
Lebon A et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Aug; 163:745
A New Treatment for Head Lice
Spinosad creme rinse was more effective than permethrin in two trials.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 16, 2009
Covering:
Stough D et al., Pediatrics 2009 Sep; 124:e389
The CDC's Recommendations for Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Vaccine
Target groups for initial vaccine supplies include pregnant women as well as children and young adults.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
September 9, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Recomm Rep 2009 Aug 28; 58:1
Azithromycin Reduces Child Mortality in Ethiopia
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A single mass oral azithromycin treatment to control trachoma was associated with a substantial reduction in child mortality.
Antivirals Slightly Shorten Duration of Seasonal Flu in Children
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Treatment was well tolerated and slightly reduced transmission to household contacts.
Fever and Bulging Fontanelle: Not Necessarily Nefarious
Only 1 of 153 infants with fever and bulging fontanelles who underwent lumbar puncture had bacterial meningitis.
Prophylactic Probiotics for Cold and Flu Symptoms
Probiotics reduced the incidence of cold symptoms and antibiotic use.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
August 26, 2009
Covering:
Leyer GJ et al., Pediatrics 2009 Aug; 124:e172
What's New with the Flu?
New clinical information and updated preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic recommendations geared for pediatricians
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
August 21, 2009
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Jul 24; 58:773
Fiore AE et al., MMWR Recomm Rep 2009 Jul 31; 58:1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009 Aug 7; 58:826
Shun-Shin M et al., BMJ 2009 Aug 10; 339:b3172
A Wait-and-See Approach to Management of Otitis Media in Children: Readers Weigh In
Emergency Medicine Letter to Readers
Free
The preponderance of evidence opposes the routine use of antibiotics, although some readers disagree.
MRSA Coinfection in Children Hospitalized for Influenza
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Six percent of children hospitalized for influenza in Atlanta had MRSA coinfection.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
August 21, 2009
Covering:
Reed C et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Jul; 28:572
