Wait-and-See Program Reduces Antibiotic Use for Acute Otitis Media
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The only (minor) downside is about a half-day-longer duration of otalgia.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
October 20, 2006
Covering:
Spiro DM et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1235-41
Otitis Media: Treat or Wait?
A wait-and-see approach safely reduced the number of prescriptions.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Spiro DM et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1235-41
Little P., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1290-1
Human Bocavirus: More Evidence for Pathogenic Potential
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two studies, researchers found human bocavirus more often in patients with respiratory symptoms than in asymptomatic controls.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Kesebir D et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1276-82
Manning A et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1283-90
McIntosh K., J Infect Dis 2006 Nov 1; 194:1197-9
Influenza Vaccination of Children: Benefits, Risks, Costs
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Influenza vaccination was most cost-effective for children aged 6–23 months and for those with underlying medical conditions.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 11, 2006
Covering:
Prosser LA et al., Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Oct; 12:1548-58
Infant Hematologic Profile After Perinatal Antiretroviral Exposure
HIV-uninfected infants who were exposed to antiretrovirals perinatally had worse hematologic parameters than their unexposed counterparts, but apparently without clinically significant consequences.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
October 6, 2006
Covering:
Pacheco SE et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Oct 15; 194:1089-97
Formula Feeding vs. Breast-Feeding for Infants of HIV-Infected Mothers
A study from Botswana explores the effects of these two feeding strategies on morbidity and mortality in infants of HIV-infected women.
By Rebeca M. Plank, MD
October 6, 2006
Covering:
Thior I et al., JAMA 2006 Aug 16; 296:794-805
Hyperpyrexia: Do Bacteria Cause Higher Fevers?
In the post–<$EMPH_O>Haemophilus influenzae<$EMPH_C> type b vaccination era, most children with hyperpyrexia have proven or probable viral infection.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
October 4, 2006
Covering:
Trautner BW et al., Pediatrics 2006 Jul; 118:34-40
Ear Drops Cure Draining Ears Faster
Acute otitis media in children with tympanostomy tubes resolved faster with topical, rather than with oral, antibiotics.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
October 4, 2006
Covering:
Dohar J et al., Pediatrics 2006 Sep; 118:e561-9
Isaacson G., Pediatrics 2006 Sep; 118:1252-3
Influenza Vaccination for School-Age Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Two doses of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine are needed for vaccine-naive 5- to 8-year-olds.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
October 4, 2006
Covering:
Neuzil KM et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Oct 15; 194:1032-9
An Outbreak of Measles: Who’s at Risk and Why?
Pockets of unvaccinated children put communities at risk.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
September 27, 2006
Covering:
Parker AA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Aug 3; 355:447-55
Neonatal E. coli Infections — and Intrapartum GBS Prophylaxis?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Risk factors for neonatal<$EMPH_O> E. coli <$EMPH_C>infection include prematurity, maternal fever, and prolonged rupture of membranes, but apparently not intrapartum GBS prophylaxis.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
September 27, 2006
Covering:
Schrag SJ et al., Pediatrics 2006 Aug; 118:570-6
Acute Otitis Media: Is Watchful Waiting OK?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among children seen in an emergency department for nonsevere acute otitis media, a "wait-and-see" approach to antibiotics showed no deleterious effects.
By Neil R. Blacklow, MD
September 20, 2006
Covering:
Spiro DM et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1235-41
Wait-and-See Antibiotics for Otitis Media in the ER
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Waiting 2 days before filling a prescription reduced antibiotic use without apparent complications.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
September 12, 2006
Covering:
Spiro DM et al., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1235-41
Little P., JAMA 2006 Sep 13; 296:1290-1
Reduced Osmolarity Oral Rehydration Solution for Diarrhea Does Not Increase Hyponatremia
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
The reduced osmolarity solution provides better water absorption and reduces diarrheal volume compared with the formerly recommended iso-osmotic solution.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
September 8, 2006
Covering:
Alam NH et al., JAMA 2006 Aug 2; 296:567-73
DWI Detects Encephalopathy in Prolonged Febrile Seizures
Neurology Summary and Comment
The technique may aid early identification of children who will have neurologic sequelae.
By Masanori Takeoka, MD
August 29, 2006
Covering:
Takanashi J et al., Neurology 2006 May 9; 66:1304-9
Viral Respiratory Infections in the First Year of Life
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
PCR analysis of nasopharyngeal aspirates from children with acute viral infections showed that rhinoviruses were most commonly responsible for these illnesses.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Kusel MMH et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006 Aug; 25:680-6
The "New" Respiratory Viruses and LRTIs in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Each of the newly discovered viruses caused LRTIs with a specific epidemiology and presentation.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
August 23, 2006
Covering:
Choi EH et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Sep 1; 43:585-92
Can Tests Distinguish Between Bacterial and Aseptic Meningitis?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
All patients with bacterial meningitis had elevated levels of either procalcitonin or CSF protein.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
August 22, 2006
Covering:
Dubos F et al., J Pediatr 2006 Jul; 149:72-6
Chronic Otitis Media Is Biofilm-Related
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
And that may explain why antibiotics lack efficacy
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
August 18, 2006
Covering:
Hall-Stoodley L et al., JAMA 2006 Jul 12; 296:202-11
Does Dexamethasone Aid the Treatment of Strep Pharyngitis in Children?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A pilot study suggests that it helps, but the jury is still out.
By Jill M. Baren, MD, MBE, FACEP, FAAP
August 11, 2006
Covering:
Niland ML et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006 Jun; 25:477-81
Influenza Is Underrecognized in Children . . . but Does It Matter?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Influenza was diagnosed clinically in few children with laboratory-confirmed infection.
By J. Stephen Bohan, MD, MS, FACP, FACEP
August 11, 2006
Covering:
Poehling KA et al., N Engl J Med 2006 Jul 6; 355:31-40
Varicella Vaccination — A Glass 81% Full
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Varicella vaccination is effective in preventing disease and diminishing severity, but it isn’t perfect.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
August 9, 2006
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006 Jul 14; 55:749-52
Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis: Do We Need More Than Penicillin?
More data are needed to determine if add-on dexamethasone is beneficial.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Niland ML et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006 Jun; 25:477-81
A New Guideline for Acute Otitis Externa
It can be treated with topical antibiotics, and appropriate analgesia is important.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Rosenfeld RM et al., Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2006 Apr; 134:S4-23
Does Repeated Antenatal Steroid Use Safely Reduce Respiratory Distress Syndrome?
Multiple doses of steroids may further reduce the incidence of RDS, but long-term effects are uncertain.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
August 2, 2006
Covering:
Crowther CA et al., Lancet 2006 Jun 10; 367:1913-9
Montan S and Arulkumaran S., Lancet 2006 Jun 10; 367:1878-9
