New Test for Viral Meningitis
This rapid test could minimize treatment delays.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
April 25, 2007
Covering:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.,
Chest X-Rays Not Necessary in Bronchiolitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
. . .especially for children who do not have respiratory distress or marked hypoxia.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
April 24, 2007
Covering:
Schuh S et al., J Pediatr 2007 Apr; 150:429-33
Drotrecogin Alfa for Sepsis in Children?
Treatment had no effect on resolution of organ failure, mortality, or serious bleeding.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 18, 2007
Covering:
Nadel S et al., Lancet 2007 Mar 10; 369:836-43
Another Cause for Wheezing?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Human bocavirus was detected in 19% of wheezing children but was found alone in only 5%.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
April 18, 2007
Covering:
Allander T et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Apr 1; 44:904-10
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine Immunogenic in Cuban Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
IPV produced high seroconversion rates for poliovirus types 1 and 3, but lower rates for type 2.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 11, 2007
Covering:
The Cuba IPV Study Collaborative Group., N Engl J Med 2007 Apr 12; 356:1536-44
A Wake-Up Call for Early Diagnosis of Kawasaki Syndrome
Delayed diagnosis of Kawasaki syndrome is the primary risk factor for coronary artery aneurysms.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Wilder MS et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Mar; 26:256-60
Exclusive Breast-Feeding and HIV Transmission
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Exclusively breast-fed infants of HIV-infected mothers were less likely to be infected at 6 months than were similar infants who consumed solids or nonhuman milk.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 4, 2007
Covering:
Coovadia HM et al., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1107-16
Holmes WR and Savage F., Lancet 2007 Mar 31; 369:1065-6
Macrolide Use and Antibiotic Resistance
These antibiotics caused macrolide-resistant streptococci in healthy volunteers.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
March 28, 2007
Covering:
Malhotra-Kumar S et al., Lancet 2007 Feb 10; 369:482-90
Kawasaki Disease and Coronary Artery Aneurysms
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Although IVIG reduces the risk for coronary artery aneurysms in children with Kawasaki disease, delayed diagnosis raises the risk.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
March 28, 2007
Covering:
Wilder MS et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Mar; 26:256-60
Antibiotic Treatment for Children with AOM: Who Benefits?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The answer seems to be children younger than 2 years with bilateral AOM.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
March 22, 2007
Covering:
Rovers MM et al., Pediatrics 2007 Mar; 119:579-85
Features of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a study of 92 children, coma and need for inotropic support or intravenous fluid boluses were associated with adverse outcome.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
March 21, 2007
Covering:
Buckingham SC et al., J Pediatr 2007 Feb; 150:180-4
Varicella Vaccine Needs Boosting
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The incidence and severity of breakthrough disease both rise with time after vaccination.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
March 15, 2007
Covering:
Chaves SS et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 15; 356:1121-9
Waning Immunity with the Varicella Vaccine
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
A population-based study shows declining immunity over time in individuals who receive only a single dose of varicella vaccine.
By Richard T. Ellison III, MD
March 14, 2007
Covering:
Chaves SS et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Mar 15; 356:1121-9
Acetaminophen Toxicity in a Newborn: Knowing When to Stop
Parents need explicit dosing instructions, including when to stop giving an analgesic.
By William P. Kanto, Jr., MD
March 7, 2007
Covering:
Walls L et al., J Perinatol 2007 Feb; 27:133-5
Oseltamivir Is Less Effective Against Influenza B Than Influenza A in Children
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
This agent is costly, minimally beneficial, and potentially harmful.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
March 2, 2007
Covering:
Sugaya N et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Jan 15; 44:197-202
Rhinoviruses: Beyond the Common Cold
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Rhinoviruses play an under-recognized role in severe respiratory infections in young children.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
February 28, 2007
Covering:
Miller EK et al., J Infect Dis 2007 Mar 15; 195:773-81
The Spectrum of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In 25% of children with herpes simplex encephalitis, CSF PCR results were negative; in another 13%, a positive PCR test followed a negative one.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
February 21, 2007
Covering:
Elbers JM et al., Pediatrics 2007 Feb; 119:e399-407
Flu Shots or Intranasal Flu Vaccine for Children?
The cold-adapted live attenuated intranasal vaccine is more effective than the intramuscular flu vaccine.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Belshe RB et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:685-96
Cox NJ and Bridges CB., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:729-31
CDC Reports Fatalities from Cold Medications
Inappropriate use of common cold medications can be fatal in infants.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 Jan 12; 56:1-4
Do Corticosteroids Improve Outcome in Kawasaki Disease?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Free
Intravenous methylprednisolone is not indicated for the primary treatment of acute KD in children.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Newburger JW et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:663-75
Burns JC., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:659-61
Attenuated vs. Inactivated Flu Vaccine in Children: Benefits and Adverse Effects
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
An investigational attenuated flu vaccine has superior efficacy to standard inactivated vaccine, but it comes with a significant risk for medically important wheezing.
By Neil R. Blacklow, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Belshe RB et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:685-96
Cox NJ and Bridges CB., N Engl J Med 2007 Feb 15; 356:729-31
Preventing TB in HIV-Infected Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Isoniazid prophylaxis in very young HIV-infected children markedly decreased TB incidence and mortality.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
February 14, 2007
Covering:
Zar HJ et al., BMJ 2007 Jan 20; 334:136-9
Middle-Ear Effusion, Tubes, and Developmental Outcomes: Is the Controversy Over?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Tympanostomy tubes are not indicated for young children with minimal hearing loss and normal speech and language development.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
February 1, 2007
Covering:
Paradise JL et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:248-61
Berman S., N Engl J Med 2007 Jan 18; 356:300-2
PFAPA Syndrome: Broader Clinical Experience
Low doses of corticosteroids were effective, and antibiotics were not.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
January 31, 2007
Covering:
Tasher D et al., Arch Dis Child 2006 Dec; 91:981-4
Predicting When Meningitis Is Bacterial
A simple scoring system proved to be highly accurate.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
January 31, 2007
Covering:
Nigrovic LE et al., JAMA 2007 Jan 3; 297:52-60
