The Pediatric infectious disease journal
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Aug 2008
Timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis: a modifiable risk factor for deep surgical site infections after pediatric spinal fusion.
Deep surgical site infections (SSI) after spinal fusion are healthcare-associated infections that result in increased morbidity, hospital stay, and health care costs. Risk factors for these infections among children are poorly characterized. ⋯ Timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis is an independent and modifiable risk factor for deep SSI after pediatric spinal fusion. Our findings suggest that all pediatric patients undergoing pediatric spinal fusion should have preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis given within 60 minutes before incision to reduce the risk of SSI and the morbidity and costs associated with hardware removal and repeat spinal fusion.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Aug 2008
Proinflammatory cytokines, fibrinolytic system enzymes, and biochemical indices in children with infectious para-pneumonic effusions.
In children, pleural empyema is a recognized complication of severe pneumonia and is characterized by loculated effusions with fibrin septations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6], intrapleural fibrinolytic system enzymes [tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1)], and common biochemical indices during pleural infection. ⋯ The increased release of proinflammatory cytokines in pleural fluid caused by bacteria may result in an imbalance of the fibrinolytic system, which can subsequently lead to fibrin deposition and intervention procedures.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jul 2008
Comparative StudyClinical features of children infected with different strains of influenza B in southern Taiwan.
This study was designed to determine the clinical characteristics of children infected with different strains of influenza B viruses isolated in southern Taiwan. The clinical features were compared with influenza A infection occurring in the same period. ⋯ Currently new reassortant influenza B viruses are the predominant strains circulating in southern Taiwan. There is considerable similarity of clinical features between influenza A and B in children. The Yamagata-like strains were associated with more invasive infections. Continuous influenza virus surveillance is essential particularly in Taiwan where pandemic strains tend to appear earlier than in other countries.
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Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. · Jul 2008
A score identifying serious bacterial infections in children with fever without source.
The objective of the study was to develop a simple clinical tool to identify serious bacterial infection (SBI) in children with fever without a source. For each child, a clinical assessment, a white blood cell count, a urine analysis, a determination of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and appropriate cultures were performed. ⋯ The sensitivity of the score for the identification of SBI was 94% and the specificity 81%. In the validation set the sensitivity of the score was 94% and the specificity 78%.