The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jan 2009
Responsiveness and construct validity of a symptom scale for acute otitis media.
Because resolution of symptoms is a primary goal of antimicrobial therapy in children with acute otitis media (AOM), measurement of symptoms in studies of antimicrobial effectiveness in such children is important. We have developed a scale for measuring symptoms of AOM in young children (AOM-SOS), and we present data on its construct validity and responsiveness. ⋯ These data support the validity and responsiveness of the AOM-SOS; the scale seems to measure effectively both pain and overall functional status in young children with AOM. Changes in score over the first few days of illness were substantial and generally matched the assessments both of parents and of clinicians. The AOM-SOS promises to be useful as an outcome measure in clinical studies of AOM.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jan 2009
ReviewManagement of newborn infections in primary care settings: a review of the evidence and implications for policy?
Long-term, sustainable programs to address high incidence and death rates from neonatal infections are required for improving child survival. There is an urgent need to define the role of community-based management for neonates with serious bacterial infections--both at home and at first-level facilities. ⋯ Although methodological limitations preclude estimating the precise contribution of antibiotics toward neonatal mortality reduction in community settings in low income countries, available data suggest substantial benefit of case management approaches using antibiotics for neonatal sepsis in such settings.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jan 2009
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or clindamycin for treatment of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections.
The outcome of patients who were treated with oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or oral clindamycin after hospitalization at Texas Children's Hospital for community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft tissue infections was compared. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of patients who returned to the emergency center or clinics because of worsening or incomplete resolution of the infected site.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jan 2009
Case ReportsGroup B streptococcal endocarditis after elective abortion in an adolescent.
We describe a case of group B streptococcal endocarditis in a 15-year-old girl after an elective abortion. There are only 6 reports of group B streptococcal endocarditis in older children. It is a well described but rare complication of surgical abortions, and tends to have an aggressive course.