Predictors of ICU Admission for Bronchiolitis
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Age <2 months, poor oral intake, moderate-to-severe retractions, and an ED visit during the prior week were associated with ICU admission.
Facial Palsy and Lyme Disease
Children who present with facial paralysis during Lyme disease season should be evaluated for Lyme disease.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Nigrovic LE et al., Pediatrics 2008 Nov; 122:e1080
Acetaminophen: Rectal or Oral Administration?
The two treatments are equally effective for temperature reduction.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 26, 2008
Covering:
Goldstein LH et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008 Nov; 162:1042
MRSA in the Intensive Care Nursery: A Growing Problem
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Between 1993 and 2006, healthcare-associated MRSA strains in one Atlanta facility gave way to MRSA strains of community origin, likely acquired during birth.
Efficacy of Vaccinations During and After Efalizumab Therapy
Dermatology
Summary and Comment
Free
Efalizumab recipients who were vaccinated during active therapy had uncompromised immune responses to some vaccines but lower-than-normal responses to others.
By Craig A. Elmets, MD
November 21, 2008
Covering:
Krueger JG et al., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Nov; 128:2615
Marmon S and Strober BE., J Invest Dermatol 2008 Nov; 128:2567
New Google Tool Can Help Americans Track the Flu
Google uses aggregated search data to track flu activity.
Reduced Mortality Among HIV-Infected Infants
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
ART initiated soon after birth reduced HIV disease progression by 75% and early mortality by 76%.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Violari A et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Nov 20; 359:2233
Thwarting Measles Outbreaks with Early Vaccination
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Among 381 confirmed cases of measles in Catalonia, Spain, half were in children younger than 15 months, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated.
By Neil M. Ampel, MD
November 19, 2008
Covering:
Domínguez A et al., Clin Infect Dis 2008 Nov 1; 47:1143
Does Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prevent UTI Recurrence in Children?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Antibiotic prophylaxis doesnt prevent recurrent UTI or new renal scars.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
November 13, 2008
Covering:
Montini G et al., Pediatrics 2008 Nov; 122:1064
Its Always Time to Immunize
More than 80% of outpatient visits involving adolescents who were eligible to receive the Td vaccine were considered missed opportunities.
Exposure to Nontraditional Pets: Its a Jungle Out There
Exotic animals are not good pets!
Effect of Antibiotic Pretreatment in Children with Meningitis
Antibiotic treatment before lumbar puncture reduces the likelihood of a positive blood culture.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 22, 2008
Covering:
Nigrovic LE et al., Pediatrics 2008 Oct; 122:726
Oral Probiotics to Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
A mixture of <$EMPH_O>Lactobacillus acidophilu<$EMPH_C>s and <$EMPH_O>Bifidobacterium bifidum<$EMPH_C> lowered the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in very-low-birth-weight premature infants.
New Formulation of Combination Antimalarial Drug for Children
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Artemether-lumefantrine in a dispersible cherry-flavored tablet showed safety and efficacy profiles similar to those of crushed conventional tablets.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
October 22, 2008
Covering:
Abdulla S et al., Lancet 2008 Oct 15
Teklehaimanot A and Teklehaimanot HD., Lancet 2008 Oct 15
Delivering Palivizumab at Home
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Home administration resulted in better adherence and fewer hospitalizations for RSV infection.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 21, 2008
Covering:
Frogel M et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2008 Oct; 27:870
What Is the Best Treatment for Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Cervical Lymphadenitis?
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
NTM cervical lymphadenitis resolved in 6 to 12 months in 100% of 92 children who did not undergo lymph node excision.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
October 21, 2008
Covering:
Zeharia A et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2008 Oct; 27:920
Starke JR., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2008 Oct; 27:923
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Depressed Mothers in Rural Pakistan
Psychiatry
Summary and Comment
Minimally trained rural health workers can make a difference.
Baby Steps Toward Polio Eradication
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Free
Monovalent type 1 oral poliovirus vaccine in children, including newborns, was more efficacious than conventional trivalent vaccine.
By Larry M. Baddour, MD
October 15, 2008
Covering:
El-Sayed N et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 16; 359:1655
Jenkins HE et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 16; 359:1666
Ehrenfeld E and Chumakov K., N Engl J Med 2008 Oct 16; 359:1726
Myth Shattered About Early Treatment for Acute Pyelonephritis in Children
Emergency Medicine
Summary and Comment
Early antibiotic treatment does not reduce renal scarring.
FDA Alert: TNF Blockers and Risk for Fungal Infections
The FDA now requires stronger warnings about risk for opportunistic fungal infections in patients treated with TNF blockers.
By Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD
October 8, 2008
Covering:
FDA., Rockville, MD: Food and Drug Administration 2008 Sep 4
Comparison of Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Both Agents for Treatment of Fever in Children
Acetaminophen plus ibuprofen and ibuprofen alone are equally effective in reducing fever.
By Robin Drucker, MD
October 1, 2008
Covering:
Hay AD et al., BMJ 2008 Sep 2; 337:a1302
Kawasaki Disease: Predicting Treatment Nonresponse
Infectious Diseases
Summary and Comment
Low albumin levels, high band counts, and abnormal initial echocardiography results were associated with poor response to IVIG treatment.
Acetaminophen and Asthma in Children
General Medicine
Summary and Comment
Retrospective results suggest a relation between acetaminophen use in infancy and development of asthma.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
September 25, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011
Novel Approach to Infant Influenza
Maternal influenza immunization reduced influenza illness in infants and respiratory illness with fever in infants and mothers.
Is Acetaminophen Use Linked to Asthma in Young Children?
The results of this retrospective study suggest an association but do not establish a causal relation.
By F. Bruder Stapleton, MD
September 24, 2008
Covering:
Beasley R et al., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1039
Barr RG., Lancet 2008 Sep 20; 372:1011