Reducing Radiation Exposure in the ED
Careful history and physical exam can obviate the need for radiologic tests in children with headache or wheezing.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
August 19, 2009
Covering:
Lateef TM et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:e12
Mathews B et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:e29
Trends in Antibiotic Use in Acute Respiratory Tract Infections
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall use continues to decline, but broad-spectrum antibiotic use rose dramatically.
Are Antibiotics Beneficial in Children with Acute Sinusitis?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid was associated with a significantly higher cure rate than placebo in children who met this study's narrow definition of acute bacterial sinusitis.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
August 14, 2009
Covering:
Wald ER et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:9
Fever in a Vaccinated Child? Hold the Blood Cultures
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Routine blood cultures are not necessary for febrile children older than 3 months.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus in the U.S.
Seroprevalence in the U.S is higher than previously thought.
More Evidence for the Role of Bocavirus in Asthma
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among children with asthma exacerbations, the virus most commonly detected was human bocavirus.
Antibiotic Use in Children with Otitis Media Increases Risk for Recurrence
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Another reason to wait and see
Outpatient Treatment of Infants with Febrile UTI
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Outpatient treatment with IV gentamicin followed by oral antibiotics was safe and effective in well-appearing 30- to 90-day-old infants with febrile UTI.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
August 7, 2009
Covering:
Doré-Bergeron M-J et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:16
Oseltamivir Prevents Complications of Influenza in High-Risk Children
Oseltamivir prescribed within 1 day of clinical diagnosis of influenza reduced risks for complications and hospitalization in children with chronic conditions.
STIs in Children When Sexual Abuse Is Suspected
Comprehensive testing is important in such children. Nucleic acid amplification tests on urine specimens were more sensitive than culture for detecting <$EMPH_O>C. trachomatis<$EMPH_C> and <$EMPH_O>N. gonorrhoeae.<$EMPH_C>
By Howard Bauchner, MD
July 29, 2009
Covering:
Girardet RG et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jul; 124:79
Black CM et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2009 Jul; 28:608
Increasing Chlamydia Screening Rates in Adolescent Girls
By redesigning work flow during urgent care visits, physicians can increase chlamydia screening rates among sexually active teens.
By Robin Drucker, MD
July 22, 2009
Covering:
Tebb KP et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Jun; 163:559
Managing Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole might not be effective as initial monotherapy for skin infections in children.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
July 16, 2009
Covering:
Elliott DJ et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jun; 123:e959
Looking Far Afield . . .
Researchers model an ingenious strategy for vector eradication in dengue fever.
Immature WBCs in CSF Do Not Indicate Bacterial Meningitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
In this retrospective study, band forms in CSF of children with meningitis did not predict bacterial etiology.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
July 10, 2009
Covering:
Kanegaye JT et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jun; 123:e967
West Nile Virus Disease in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Children had a lower incidence of West Nile virus disease than adults and a lower rate of CNS involvement than older adults.
Obtaining Urine Specimens in Young Children: Bag vs. Catheter
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Don’t rely on bag-obtained specimens alone.
Treatment of Noncultured Skin Infections in the Age of CA-MRSA
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
In this retrospective study, cephalosporins were equivalent to clindamycin and superior to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
By Daniel J. Pallin, MD, MPH
July 2, 2009
Covering:
Elliott DJ et al., Pediatrics 2009 Jun; 123:e959
Vaccine Refusal Increases Risk for Pertussis in Unvaccinated Children
Herd immunity did not protect children whose parents refused vaccination.
Did You Really Have Chicken Pox?
A reported history of chickenpox is not highly predictive of varicella immunity in patients born after 1989.
Severe RSV Infection and Asthma
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Results from a twin study suggest that severe RSV infection does not cause asthma, but rather indicates a genetic predisposition to asthma.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
June 24, 2009
Covering:
Thomsen SF et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009 Jun 15; 179:1091
Universal Screening for Group B Strep: Success with Room for Improvement
Missed opportunities for prevention include women who deliver preterm and women with unknown or false-negative screening results.
Treating Children’s Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Specifically aiming empirical antibiotic treatment at MRSA may not be beneficial.
Rotavirus Vaccine in a Developing Country
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In Nicaragua, rotavirus vaccine was less effective than in higher-income countries but was still highly protective against very severe diarrhea.
Bleach Baths for Atopic Dermatitis
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Combined treatment with sodium hypochlorite and nasal mupirocin improved eczema severity, but we don’t yet know how or why.
Cephalosporins in Patients with Penicillin Allergy: Use Them . . . but Be Careful
Patients with penicillin allergy are not necessarily allergic to cephalosporins.
