Predicting Whether Meningitis Is Bacterial
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A bacterial meningitis score correctly identified nearly all children with CSF pleocytosis who were at very low risk for bacterial meningitis.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
January 10, 2007
Covering:
Nigrovic LE et al., JAMA 2007 Jan 3; 297:52-60
Pyomyositis: No Longer a Zebra
Community-acquired MRSA might be an increasing cause of muscle infections in children.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
January 3, 2007
Covering:
Pannaraj PS et al., Clin Infect Dis 2006 Oct 15; 43:953-60
Preterm Neonates’ Risk for Invasive Fungal Infections
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Multiple-site colonization and central venous catheter colonization increase the risk for invasive fungal infections in preterm neonates.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
January 3, 2007
Covering:
Manzoni P et al., Pediatrics 2006 Dec; 118:2359-64
Rotavirus Vaccines Show Promise
Two large randomized trials demonstrated high rates of efficacy without worrisome rates of intussusception.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
December 28, 2006
Genetic Proneness to Otitis Media?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms appear to increase the risk for recurrent otitis media.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
December 20, 2006
Covering:
Patel JA et al., Pediatrics 2006 Dec; 118:2273-9
Safety of Pertussis Vaccine in Older Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A booster dose of reduced-antigen-content vaccine appears to be well tolerated by adolescents.
By Robert A. Dershewitz, MD, MSc
December 19, 2006
Covering:
Zepp F et al., J Pediatr 2006 Nov; 149:603-10
Halperin SA., J Pediatr 2006 Nov; 149:589-91
New Vaccines and Updates
Rotavirus vaccine, human papillomavirus vaccine, and varicella vaccine
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 6, 2006
What’s New with the Flu?
Updated recommendations for influenza vaccines need ongoing evaluation.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 6, 2006
Covering:
Hambidge SJ et al., JAMA 2006 Oct 25; 296:1990-7
Fleming DM et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2006 Oct; 25:860-9
Does Circumcision Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections?
The authors found that it could reduce risk for STIs in men.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
December 6, 2006
Covering:
Fergusson DM et al., Pediatrics 2006 Nov; 118:1971-7
When Should Acute Otitis Media Be Treated with Antibiotics?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A meta-analysis supports the notion that children under 2 with bilateral AOM, or children with AOM and otorrhea, are most likely to benefit.
By Bruce Soloway, MD
November 30, 2006
Covering:
Rovers MM et al., Lancet 2006 Oct 21; 368:1429-35
Antibiotics for Acute Otitis Media?
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
For some kids, let’s wait and see!
By Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
November 9, 2006
Covering:
Rovers MM et al., Lancet 2006 Oct 21; 368:1429-35
Mattila PS., Lancet 2006 Oct 21; 368:1397-8
Immunization in Infants: Long Needle or Short Needle?
Vaccination with long needles resulted in fewer local reactions.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 8, 2006
Covering:
Diggle L et al., BMJ 2006 Sep 16; 333:571-4
Zimmerman RK., BMJ 2006 Sep 16; 333:563-4
TMP-SMX Prophylaxis During Pregnancy: Good for Baby, Too?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
TMP-SMX prophylaxis for HIV-infected pregnant women could reduce preterm births and neonatal mortality.
By Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS
November 8, 2006
Covering:
Walter J et al., J Infect Dis 2006 Dec 1; 194:1510-8
Safety of Inactivated Flu Vaccine in Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
Investigators examining the safety of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine found no increased risk for any serious condition in children 6 to 23 months old.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
November 1, 2006
Covering:
Hambidge SJ et al., JAMA 2006 Oct 25; 296:1990-7
Is Influenza Vaccination Safe in Young Children?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
A large population-based study of 6- to 23-month-old children found that it is.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
October 26, 2006
Covering:
Hambidge SJ et al., JAMA 2006 Oct 25; 296:1990-7
Reactions to a Second Dose of MMR Vaccine
The second dose was not associated with common adverse events.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 25, 2006
Covering:
LeBaron CW et al., Pediatrics 2006 Oct; 118:1422-30
Early Signs and Symptoms of Meningococcal Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
In the first few hours of illness, signs and symptoms of sepsis are more common than meningitis symptoms.
By Russell E. Bartt, MD
October 24, 2006
Covering:
Thompson MJ et al., Lancet 2006 Feb 4; 367:397-403
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
