Independent Validation of Two Lyme Meningitis Clinical Prediction Rules
Both prediction rules accurately identified children at low risk for Lyme meningitis.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Cohn KA et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec 19
A New Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine: Baby Steps Toward Success
The 4CMenB vaccine showed promise in a European randomized trial.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
February 22, 2012
Covering:
Gossger N et al., JAMA 2012 Feb 8; 307:573
Cohn AC and Messonnier NE., JAMA 2012 Feb 8; 307:614
No Excess Risk for Intussusception from Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine
A large cohort study puts the issue of intussusception risk from rotavirus vaccines to rest.
Nosocomial Measles Outbreak
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Measles, contracted in a hospital emergency department, affected both unimmunized and previously vaccinated individuals.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
February 1, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jan 20; 61:30
Global Burden of Infant Group B Streptococcal Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a meta-analysis of global data, incidence and fatality rates differed among countries, but the underlying serotypes were similar.
Preventing Serogroup B Meningococcal Disease
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In a phase IIB/III study conducted among adolescents in Chile, a multicomponent vaccine — 4CMenB — was immunogenic and safe.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
January 25, 2012
Covering:
Santolaya ME et al., Lancet 2012 Jan 18
Stephens DS., Lancet 2012 Jan 18
Influenza in Neurologically Compromised Patients
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
An outbreak of influenza in patients with incapacitating neurological conditions caused severe infection, despite immunization.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
January 25, 2012
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2012 Jan 6; 60:1729
FCGR2A as a Susceptibility Locus for Kawasaki Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
A genome-wide association study points to a susceptibility locus linking Kawasaki disease to an immune mediator.
Helium-Oxygen Therapy Improves Bronchiolitis Scores in Infants Receiving Nebulized Epinephrine
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Improvement was noted on each of two validated severity scores.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
January 20, 2012
Covering:
Kim IK et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2011 Dec; 165:1115
Single-Dose Azithromycin Efficacious Against Yaws
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among children with yaws in Papua New Guinea, oral azithromycin was noninferior to intramuscular penicillin at 6-month follow-up.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
January 18, 2012
Covering:
Mitjà O et al., Lancet 2012 Jan 11
Mabey D., Lancet 2012 Jan 11
Combination Corticosteroid plus IVIG for Treatment-Resistant Kawasaki Disease
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Adding methylprednisolone to IV immunoglobulin eliminated fever and led to greater coronary artery dimension in children predicted to be IVIG-resistant.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
January 13, 2012
Covering:
Ogata S et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec 5
Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Now for Males, Too
Infectious Diseases Vaccine Watch
Free
New recommendations — for males — include routine use of HPV4 at ages 11 or 12 years and vaccination through age 26 for those who have not completed the three-dose series.
Rhinoviruses Cause Severe Disease in Very Low Birth Weight Infants
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among premature infants in Buenos Aires, rhinoviruses were the most common cause of all acute respiratory infections, of bronchiolitis, and of hospitalization for such illnesses.
ED Practice Patterns for Children Aged 3 to 36 Months With Fever Without a Source
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Testing and treatment patterns do not reflect evidence-based guidelines.
By Katherine Bakes, MD
January 6, 2012
Covering:
Simon AE et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec; 128:e1368
When Parents Request Alternative Childhood Immunization Schedules: What's Your Comfort Level?
In a survey of pediatricians, 60% were comfortable honoring such requests by parents.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
January 4, 2012
Covering:
Wightman A et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec; 128:1094
Outcomes in Hospitalized Infants with 2009 Pandemic Influenza A Infection
Most infants hospitalized with 2009 influenza A had good outcomes; severe complications occurred in those with underlying conditions.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
January 4, 2012
Covering:
Lopez-Medina E et al., J Pediatr 2011 Nov 17
2011 Infectious Diseases Guidelines
The ID guidelines published within the past year have some common themes and principles that apply to a wide range of medical problems.
Perinatal HIV Transmission Persists in the U.S.
A substantial number of HIV-infected infants are born each year to mothers with predictable risk profiles that include late diagnosis, lack of prenatal care, and no exposure to antiretrovirals.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
December 22, 2011
Covering:
Whitmore SK et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec 5
High Rate of Recurrence for Perineal Group A Streptococcal Dermatitis
Although the optimal treatment remains uncertain, consider alternatives to penicillin or amoxicillin for recurrent disease.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 21, 2011
Covering:
Olson D and Edmonson MB., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2011 Nov; 30:933
TMP-SMX Is Another Option for Treatment of Acute Osteomyelitis
Treatment with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was successful even for MRSA osteomyelitis in children.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
December 21, 2011
Covering:
Messina AF et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2011 Dec; 30:1019
Maternal Toxoplasmosis Often Acquired from Environmental Cat Exposure
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Seventy-eight percent of women who delivered infants with congenital toxoplasmosis had acquired infection acutely through cats; only half of them noted having any major cat-associated risk factors.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
December 21, 2011
Covering:
Boyer K et al., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Dec 1; 53:1081
Linn ES., Clin Infect Dis 2011 Dec 1; 53:1090
Follow-up of Children with PFAPA Syndrome
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Long-term follow-up showed resolution of fever in 50 of 59 patients previously diagnosed with this syndrome; the mean duration of symptoms was 6.3 years.
Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing in Ambulatory Pediatrics
Prescriptions for broad-spectrum antibiotics are common and often inappropriate.
By Louis M. Bell, MD
December 14, 2011
Covering:
Hersh AL et al., Pediatrics 2011 Dec; 128:1053
Vaccine Update 2011
Meningococcal vaccine is approved in high-risk children aged 9–23 months, Tdap is recommended in pregnant women after 20 weeks' gestation, and routine HPV vaccination is recommended in boys.
New Flu Virus Can Spread Among Humans
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A recombinant swine-origin influenza A (H3N2) virus was responsible for mild respiratory illness in three children who had contact with each another but had no swine exposure.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
November 30, 2011
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Nov 23; 60:1
