Paediatrics and international child health
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Dengue is a serious public health problem worldwide. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS), the severe form of dengue fever, can cause death within 12-24 hours if appropriate treatment is not promptly administered. For patients with DSS and the 30% of non-shocked dengue patients who require intravenous fluid therapy, a range of solutions is available for plasma volume support. ⋯ This paper summarises the key clinical data, comparing fluid regimens in children with severe dengue, and concludes that the majority of patients with DSS can be treated successfully with isotonic crystalloid solutions. If a colloid is thought necessary, a medium-molecular-weight preparation that combines good initial plasma volume support with good intravascular persistence and an acceptable side-effect profile is optimal. Further research should aim to determine whether there are benefits to early treatment with colloids, and which colloid solution is most effective for resuscitation of DSS patients.
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Paediatr Int Child Health · May 2012
Case ReportsHSV-2 meningitis disseminated from a herpetic whitlow.
HSV-2 meningitis is uncommon in childhood and is mainly associated with genital lesions or a history of sexual abuse. A 7-year-old boy with recurrent herpetic whitlow developed HSV-2 meningitis. HSV-2 was identified in the CSF by PCR. In children with herpetic whitlow, the risk of HSV-2, although rare, should be considered.
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Paediatr Int Child Health · May 2012
Factors associated with extreme hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
To determine factors associated with extreme hyperbilirubinaemia in neonates at the University Hospital of the West Indies. ⋯ Exclusive breastfeeding, oxytocin use in the mother during labour and G6PD deficiency in the infant were found to be factors associated with extreme hyperbilirubinaemia.