Are Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections Becoming More Frequent?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
The number of visits in which care was sought for these infections is up, but related hospital admissions have not increased.
By Jan V. Hirschmann, MD
August 22, 2008
Covering:
Hersh AL et al., Arch Intern Med 2008 Jul 28; 168:1585
Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children with Congenital CMV Infections
Sensorineural hearing loss is common and variable in children with either asymptomatic or symptomatic congenital CMV infections.
By Robin Drucker, MD
August 20, 2008
Covering:
Foulon I et al., J Pediatr 2008 Jul; 153:84
No Increase in Long-Term Mortality After Simple Febrile Seizures
In a large population-based study, children with simple febrile seizures did not have higher risk for death, but children with complex seizures did.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
August 13, 2008
Covering:
Vestergaard M et al., Lancet 2008 Aug 9; 372:457
Mazumdar M., Lancet 2008 Aug 9; 372:429
Are Functional GI Symptoms Linked with Acute Bacterial Infection?
As in adults, in children, a single episode of acute gastroenteritis caused by a bacterial pathogen might be associated with symptoms consistent with IBS.
Updated Guidelines for Pediatric Antiretroviral Use
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
In July 2008, the Working Group on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children updated its recommendations for initial treatment regimens. The full text . . .
Cochrane Review of Influenza Vaccination in Children
The meta-analysis results do not reflect nuances of a complicated subject.
Retesting Adopted Children for Tuberculosis
Repeat TB testing is necessary for internationally adopted children.
PANDAS: Two Studies of Clinical Exacerbations
Most exacerbations of tics and OCD are not explained by streptococcal infection.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
July 23, 2008
Covering:
Kurlan R et al., Pediatrics 2008 Jun; 121:1188
Singer HS et al., Pediatrics 2008 Jun; 121:1198
Molecular Diagnosis of Children’s Viral Respiratory Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The findings from two studies demonstrate the superiority of nucleic acid probe–based methods in diagnosing viral infections.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
July 23, 2008
Covering:
Bonzel L et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2008 Jul; 27:589
Chiu CY et al., J Pediatr 2008 Jul; 153:76
Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Asymptomatic Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In western Kenya, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in schoolchildren reduced anemia prevalence and improved cognitive function.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
July 23, 2008
Covering:
Clarke SE et al., Lancet 2008 Jul 12; 372:127
Does Bacterial Colonization Contribute to SIDS?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Infection or colonization with pathogens associated with septicemia might be a contributing factor in some unexplained infant deaths.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
July 15, 2008
Covering:
Weber MA et al., Lancet 2008 May 31; 371:1848
An Outbreak of Hospital-Acquired Pertussis in Newborns
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Healthcare workers have a responsibility to their patients not to transmit preventable diseases.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
July 11, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Jun 6; 57:600
Mastoiditis Caused by Pneumococcus Serotype 19A
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
In Houston, overall incidence of pneumococcal mastoiditis appears to be increasing; since the introduction of PCV7, nonvaccine serotype 19A has replaced vaccine serotypes.
A Placebo in the Home Medicine Cabinet
A chewable, cherry-flavored dextrose tablet will soon be marketed to parents as a placebo treatment for children.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Might Occur Before Adolescence
This report suggests that CFS can affect children as young as age 2 years and that young children can be as severely affected as older children.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis Is Not Effective for Vesicoureteral Reflux
In a randomized, controlled trial, antibiotic prophylaxis did not reduce recurrence of pyelonephritis or occurrence of renal scars.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
June 11, 2008
Covering:
Pennesi M et al., Pediatrics 2008 Jun; 121:e1489
Do Prophylactic Antibiotics Prevent Recurrent Pyelonephritis in Children?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a randomized, controlled trial, prophylaxis with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole did not reduce the rates of recurrent pyelonephritis or renal scarring.
Emollient Therapy for Preterm Infants
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Mortality rates were lowered significantly in Bangladeshi newborns who received topical emollients, although this practice has been discouraged elsewhere.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
June 6, 2008
Covering:
Darmstadt GL et al., Pediatrics 2008 Mar; 121:522
Corticosteroids Don’t Reduce Mortality in Children with Bacterial Meningitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Adjuvant corticosteroid therapy had no effect, regardless of age or pathogen type.
Seeking to Limit HIV Transmission During Breast-Feeding
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Drugs work; a policy of early weaning does not.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 4, 2008
Covering:
Kumwenda NI et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Kuhn L et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Gray GE and Saloojee H., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Elucidating the Role of Human Metapneumovirus in Young Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two successive winter–spring seasons, hMPV was responsible for 25.3% and then 4.7% of acute respiratory infections in young children.
Look Out for Measles
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Endemic measles has nearly been eliminated in the U.S., but imported measles can take a toll on the unvaccinated.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 21, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 May 9; 57:494
Do Corticosteroids Benefit Children with Bacterial Meningitis?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A retrospective analysis showed that corticosteroids had no effect on mortality rates or on length of hospital stay.
Corticosteroids in Children with Bacterial Meningitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adjuvant steroids did not affect mortality in children with bacterial meningitis.
Does Supplemental Oxygen Keep Infants with Bronchiolitis in the Hospital?
Oxygen supplementation determines length of stay in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis when the oxygen threshold is <94% SpO2 .
