The Journal of pediatrics
-
The Journal of pediatrics · Sep 1997
Clinical utility of the polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis in infancy.
To determine the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, and urine for rapid diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis in infants 3 months of age and younger. ⋯ PCR assay of CSF is useful for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis. Application of this technique in the clinical setting can potentially diminish unnecessary hospitalization and use of antibiotics.
-
The Journal of pediatrics · Sep 1997
Human development index as a predictor of infant and maternal mortality rates.
The United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index of life expectancy, literacy, and per capita gross domestic product that measures the socioeconomic development of a country. We estimated infant and maternal mortality rates in the world and assessed how well the HDI and its individual components predicted infant and maternal mortality rates for individual countries. ⋯ HDI is not only a useful measure for socioeconomic development, but also a powerful predictor of infant and maternal mortality rates for individual countries.
-
The Journal of pediatrics · Sep 1997
Case ReportsStaphylococcal necrotizing fasciitis in the mammary region in childhood: a report of five cases.
Necrotizing fasciitis is a highly lethal soft tissue infection rarely reported in childhood. The initiating site is usually a local trauma or a surgical wound. We observed five cases of necrotizing fasciitis the initiating site for which was the mammary region and discuss their management. ⋯ Mammitis may be the initiating event for necrotizing fasciitis in neonates. Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening disease; patients require early intensive care, parenteral antibiotic therapy, and surgical débridement. In a few instances surgery can be carefully delayed until the necrotic area is more delineated if the condition is diagnosed early during disease evolution and appropriate treatment is instituted in intensive care units.
-
The Journal of pediatrics · Sep 1997
Incidence of bacteremia in infants and children with fever and petechiae.
We determined the incidence of serious invasive bacteremia caused by Neisseria meningitidis and other organisms in febrile infants and children with a petechial rash. Further, we studied the diagnostic value of laboratory and clinical finding in these patients. ⋯ Invasive bacteremia occurred less frequently in our study than in previous series and was identified by clinical criteria. Our data support the treatment of selected well-appearing children with fever and petechiae as outpatients.