Monatsschr Kinderh
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In December 2019 a new human coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, which is known as SARS-CoV‑2. The clinical course of the disease known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ranges from mild respiratory symptoms to severe lung failure. The virus is currently rapidly spreading around the world and pushing health systems to the limits of their capacity due to the exponential increase in the number of cases. ⋯ Considering the high number of cases and mortality rates of up to 9% there is an urgent need for action. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge on human coronaviruses with a strong focus on the current data on SARS-CoV‑2. Due to the daily changing level of knowledge, the article reflects the status up to 21 March 2020.
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Sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, NANA) is an essential component of mucins, glycoproteins and gangliosides and therefore important for the function of cell membranes, membrane receptors and the normal development of the brain. The capacity of the metabolic pathway for the synthesis of sialic acid from glucose and other carbohydrate sources in preterm infants and term-born neonates is currently unknown. ⋯ Formula-fed infants obtain less than 20% of the amount of sialic acid supplied if breast-fed. A sufficient sialic acid supply may be essential in very-low-birth-weight infants and neonates at risk for the normal development of brain function.
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Questions on asthma symptoms like "wheezing" or "whistling in the chest" must be easily understood by the general population. In preparation of a standardized German questionnaire we investigated, how children with asthma and their parents would describe symptoms during an asthma attack. ⋯ The verbal descriptors with the best rating will be used for the wording of a German questionnaire on asthma symptoms.
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Intensive care medicine relies on the fast and flawless organization of data. In addition, control of therapy requires many calculations. The computer program presented here improves and facilitates documentation of medical prescriptions on the ICU. ⋯ Fluid balances can be managed easily while the program calculates the intake of calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat and electrolytes in the background. On entry of medications suggestions for the pediatric dosage are given automatically. Use of this program provides a flexible way of reusing and editing prescriptions, thus adding up to a time-gaining and precise way of writing intensive care prescriptions.
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We describe a case of successful therapy of a neonatal Legionellosis with Erythromycin. On his 6th day of life a full term newborn with normal body weight was affected by a severe pneumonia. ⋯ Only few cases of neonatal Legionellosis have been reported until now. In three cases diagnosis was made post mortem.