The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialMechanism for prevention of infection in preterm neonates by topical emollients: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.
Topical applications of emollients such as sunflower seed oil and Aquaphor have been shown to reduce the incidence of bloodstream infections and mortality of preterm infants in resource-poor settings. The causal mechanism for prevention of infection through cutaneous portals of entry is not well understood. ⋯ Skin condition deteriorated progressively after birth and compromised skin condition increased the risk of infection. Emollients preserved skin integrity and thus prevented infection in preterm neonates. To optimize benefits of emollients for the prevention of bloodstream infection, use of emollients should begin immediately after birth when the skin is still intact.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Observational StudyC-reactive protein, procalcitonin and the lab-score for detecting serious bacterial infections in febrile children at the emergency department: a prospective observational study.
C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are useful diagnostic tools to estimate the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile children at the emergency department (ED). The Lab-score combines these 2 biomarkers with urinalysis in an easy to use validated model. Kinetics of inflammatory markers suggests a differentiating role of duration of disease. ⋯ CRP and PCT were both strong predictors of SBI. The original and updated Lab-score performed well, but thresholds values lacked diagnostic value for ruling out SBI. Depending on clinical risk thresholds, diagnostic testing can be limited to CRP or PCT, rather than both, in many febrile children.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Antibody persistence after primary and booster doses of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine in adolescents.
The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody persistence 5 years after primary vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines MenACWY-CRM or MenACWY-D and 2 years after a booster dose of MenACWY-CRM, in the context of a phase 3 study. ⋯ Booster vaccination with MenACWY-CRM elicited a robust immune response during the 2-year follow-up period, irrespective of previous vaccination.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Nov 2014
Case ReportsAcute transverse myelitis complicating breakthrough varicella infection.
We report a 10-year-old girl who presented with acute transverse myelitis after breakthrough varicella infection. The diagnosis was based on the development of motor weakness, paraparesis and bladder dysfunction, spinal magnetic resonance imaging findings and detection of anti-varicella zoster virus IgG antibody in the cerebrospinal fluid. This case report highlights that breakthrough varicella can result in serious complications such as acute transverse myelitis.