Norovirus Outbreak — The Computer Did It
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In one school outbreak, a contaminated computer keyboard and mouse contributed to spread.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 16, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Jan 4; 56:1340
Ruling Out Bacteremia in Children with CVCs
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
If blood cultures from central venous catheters are negative after 24–36 hours of incubation, stopping antibiotics is generally safe.
Honey for Cough
General Medicine Summary and Comment
It works, but it was associated with hyperactivity and insomnia.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
January 3, 2008
Covering:
Paul IM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140
Overview of Neonatal S. aureus Infection
The experience at one center suggests that afebrile infants with pustulosis alone can be treated without an extensive evaluation.
Potpourri of Pediatric Research: 2007
Three interventions yielded no benefit; a fourth is a success story.
Hib Vaccine Recall
Merck is voluntarily recalling certain lots of PedvaxHIB and Comvax.
Should We Prescribe Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics to Children?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A meta-analysis suggests that the risk of arthropathy is low.
The New Periodicity Schedule
Recommendations for preventive pediatric healthcare
Treatment of Common Pediatric Infections: The Pros and Cons of Fluoroquinolones
The fluoroquinoloes are useful for treating infections caused by resistant organisms but should be used sparingly in children.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 12, 2007
Covering:
Pichichero ME and Casey JR., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1772
Bradley JS et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Oct; 26:868
Noel GJ et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Oct; 26:879
Schaad UB., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007 Oct; 26:865
Rotavirus Vaccine Works for Premature Infants, Too
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The new rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq, is safe and efficacious for premature infants.
Postexposure Prophylaxis for Hepatitis A: What’s the Preferred Approach?
In a head-to-head comparison, hepatitis A vaccine was noninferior to immune globulin.
Terbinafine Granules Approved by FDA for Tinea Capitis
Now pediatricians have an FDA-approved alternative to griseofulvin for the treatment of tinea capitis.
Enterovirus Type 71 in the U.S.
Researchers describe a Denver outbreak associated with severe neurologic disease and sequelae.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
November 21, 2007
Covering:
Pérez-Vélez CM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Oct 15; 45:950
Polio-Like Outbreaks Caused by Enterovirus Type 71
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Incidence of neurologic EV71 disease, which clinically resembles poliomyelitis but is caused by a different enterovirus, seems to be increasing.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
November 21, 2007
Covering:
Pérez-Vélez CM et al., Clin Infect Dis 2007 Oct 15; 45:950
Pneumococcal Otopathogen Not Vulnerable to Approved Antibiotics and Vaccine
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Tympanocentesis is needed to determine the strain.
By John A. Marx, MD, FAAEM, FACEP
November 9, 2007
Covering:
Pichichero ME and Casey JR., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1772
Bancroft EA., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1803
New, Controversial Guidelines from the U.K. for Children with UTI
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
The NICE guidelines differ from previous guidelines in that they recommend oral rather than parenteral antibiotics, less imaging, and little or no prophylactic antibiotics.
November 7, 2007
Covering:
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence., London: NICE 2007 Aug.
Serotype 19A S. pneumoniae: A Growing Problem for Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Serotype 19A pneumococcal strains have emerged in New York and Massachusetts, causing otitis and invasive pneumococcal disease in children.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
November 7, 2007
Covering:
Pichichero ME and Casey JR., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1772
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2007 Oct 19; 56:1077
Malaria Vaccine Safe and Immunogenic in Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A malaria vaccine candidate induced high titers of anticircumsporozoite antibodies in infants and had an adjusted efficacy of 66%.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 31, 2007
Covering:
Aponte JJ et al., Lancet 2007 Nov 3; 370:1543
Kids with Hot Hands and Feet
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A new version of pseudomonal complications contracted in a hot tub
Tympanometry or Reflectometry for Confirming Middle Ear Effusion?
Tympanometry is slightly more accurate than spectral gradient acoustic reflectometry in detecting middle ear effusion.
Assessing Quality of Pediatric Ambulatory Care Services
Overall adherence to quality indicators was poor.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 24, 2007
Covering:
Mangione-Smith R et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1515
Perrin JM and Homer CJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1549
New Worries About Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Community prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains of pneumococci, and of invasive community-based methicillin-resistant <$EMPH_O>Staphylococcus aureus<$EMPH_C>, is increasing.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
October 23, 2007
Covering:
Klevens RM et al., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1763
Pichichero ME and Casey JR., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1772
Bancroft EA., JAMA 2007 Oct 17; 298:1803
FDA Expands Approval for FluMist
The intranasal influenza vaccine is now also indicated for healthy children aged 2 to 5 years.
Assessing Quality of Pediatric Ambulatory Care Services
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Overall adherence to quality indicators was poor.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 16, 2007
Covering:
Mangione-Smith R et al., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1515
Perrin JM and Homer CJ., N Engl J Med 2007 Oct 11; 357:1549
Insecticide-Treated Bednets Improve Child Survival
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Mortality rates were 44% lower in rural Kenyan children who used insecticide-treated bednets than in those who did not.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 3, 2007
Covering:
Fegan GW et al., Lancet 2007 Sep 22; 370:1035
Lengeler C and deSavigny D., Lancet 2007 Sep 22; 370:1009
