Emollient Therapy for Preterm Infants
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Mortality rates were lowered significantly in Bangladeshi newborns who received topical emollients, although this practice has been discouraged elsewhere.
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
June 6, 2008
Covering:
Darmstadt GL et al., Pediatrics 2008 Mar; 121:522
Corticosteroids Don’t Reduce Mortality in Children with Bacterial Meningitis
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Adjuvant corticosteroid therapy had no effect, regardless of age or pathogen type.
Seeking to Limit HIV Transmission During Breast-Feeding
HIV/AIDS Clinical Care Summary and Comment
Free
Drugs work; a policy of early weaning does not.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
June 4, 2008
Covering:
Kumwenda NI et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Kuhn L et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Gray GE and Saloojee H., N Engl J Med 2008 Jun 4
Elucidating the Role of Human Metapneumovirus in Young Children
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
In two successive winter–spring seasons, hMPV was responsible for 25.3% and then 4.7% of acute respiratory infections in young children.
Look Out for Measles
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Endemic measles has nearly been eliminated in the U.S., but imported measles can take a toll on the unvaccinated.
By Stephen G. Baum, MD
May 21, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 May 9; 57:494
Do Corticosteroids Benefit Children with Bacterial Meningitis?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
A retrospective analysis showed that corticosteroids had no effect on mortality rates or on length of hospital stay.
Corticosteroids in Children with Bacterial Meningitis
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Adjuvant steroids did not affect mortality in children with bacterial meningitis.
Does Supplemental Oxygen Keep Infants with Bronchiolitis in the Hospital?
Oxygen supplementation determines length of stay in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis when the oxygen threshold is <94% SpO2 .
Corticosteroids in Children with Bacterial Meningitis: The Debate Continues
A retrospective study finds no effect of corticosteroids on overall mortality in children with bacterial meningitis — morbidity was not evaluated.
Fluconazole to Prevent Invasive Candidiasis in Tiny Preemies
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Among neonates with birth weights below 1000 g, fluconazole prophylaxis reduced the incidence of invasive candidiasis without the development of fluconazole resistance.
Old Diseases Make News
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
Vaccine failures spell the need for ongoing monitoring and fine-tuning of guidelines.
By Abigail Zuger, MD
April 22, 2008
Covering:
Dayan GH et al., N Engl J Med 2008 Apr 10; 358:1580
Michalik DE et al., J Infect Dis 2008 Apr 1; 197:944
Prevalence of UTI in Children
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Prevalence is highest in infants younger than 3 months, girls with fever, and uncircumcised boys.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
April 22, 2008
Covering:
Shaikh N et al., Pediatr Infect Dis J 2008 Apr; 27:302
Recurrent Toxin-Mediated Perineal Erythema in Children?
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Maybe, maybe not
By Mary Wu Chang, MD
April 11, 2008
Covering:
Patrizi A et al., Arch Dermatol 2008 Feb; 144:239
Trends in Acute Otitis Media
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Free
The incidences of otitis media, treatment failure, and relapse have declined during the past decade.
Mumps in the U.S.: Elimination by 2010?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
Free
The largest outbreak of mumps in 2 decades has made us reexamine vaccination strategies.
Fluoroquinolones: Treating TB Reduces Pneumococcal Susceptibility
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The use of fluoroquinolones to treat MDR-TB was associated with the emergence of pediatric invasive pneumococcal disease caused by levofloxacin-nonsusceptible organisms.
By Mary E. Wilson, MD
April 2, 2008
Covering:
von Gottberg A et al., Lancet 2008 Mar 29; 371:1108
Duration of IV Antibiotic Treatment for Children with Pyelonephritis
Rates of renal scarring were similar in children who received long- or short-course IV antibiotics.
By Howard Bauchner, MD
March 26, 2008
Covering:
Bouissou F et al., Pediatrics 2008 Mar; 121:e553
Imported Measles: Two Recent U.S. Outbreaks
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
One case contracted in Japan and another contracted in Switzerland led to outbreaks involving nearly 30 cases.
By Diane M. Birnbaumer, MD, FACEP
March 21, 2008
Covering:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Feb 22; 57:169
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)., MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2008 Feb 29; 57:203
HIV/AIDS Update: Pediatric Treatment Guidelines
Infectious Diseases Clinical Practice Guideline Watch
These guidelines, developed for the U.S., provide detailed information on ART for HIV-infected children.
By Robert S. Baltimore, MD
March 19, 2008
Covering:
Working Group on Antiretroviral Therapy and Medical Management of HIV-Infected Children.,
Reducing ED Visits for Ear Pain: A Little Education Goes a Long Way
Educating parents about AOM and providing a prescription for otic drops at the 15-month visit reduced ED visits for ear pain by 80%.
By Robin Drucker, MD
March 5, 2008
Covering:
McWilliams DB et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008 Feb; 162:151
The Changing Face of Viral Meningitis
Enteroviruses and herpes simplex virus are now the most common causes.
By Robin Drucker, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Logan SAE and MacMahon E., BMJ 2008 Jan 5; 336:36
Sweet Relief for Cough?
Buckwheat honey might be better than nothing for nocturnal cough.
By Cornelius W. Van Niel, MD
February 20, 2008
Covering:
Paul IM et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1140
Warren MD et al., Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007 Dec; 161:1149
Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infection in Children
Emergency Medicine Summary and Comment
Certain symptoms and signs increase the likelihood that a child has a UTI.
Cough and Cold Medicines for Kids: How Big a Problem?
Infectious Diseases Summary and Comment
The CDC estimated that nearly 7100 children aged <12 years visit emergency departments annually because of taking cold medications.
Rotavirus Vaccine Succeeds During Two Epidemic Seasons
Overall vaccine efficacy against rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants during the two seasons was 79%.
