Annales de pédiatrie
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The initial treatment of infantile and childhood bacterial meningitis is now well standardized, but three current aspects are discussed in this paper. Although classically, ampicillin can still be given as the initial treatment of bacterial meningitis in children, current epidemiologic data demonstrate the emergence of resistant strains of Haemophilus and Pneumococcus, and consequently use of a third-generation cephalosporin should be preferred. Concerning duration of treatment, 4 to 5 days seem adequate for meningococci and 7 days for Haemophilus influenzae and pneumococci. ⋯ The purpose of this treatment is to lower the risk of cerebral complications and neurosensory impairment. Current data suggest that use of corticosteroids as early as possible may be helpful. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of pediatric bacterial meningitis has led to other forms of treatment being proposed, but their value remains to be proven.
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Annales de pédiatrie · Sep 1991
Case Reports[Hypothermia helps in the drowned child. Report of a case].
Near-drowning is a leading cause of childhood mortality. Early induction of deep hypothermia has a protective effect on the brain, however. ⋯ Management rests on internal warming techniques and should be initiated immediately whenever apparent death occurs after exposure to cold. The case of a 29-month-old child who had complete cardiorespiratory arrest and a fall in body temperature to 22 degrees C after near-drowning and who made a full neurologic recovery is reported.
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Annales de pédiatrie · Dec 1990
Case Reports[Capnocytophaga septicemia during bone marrow transplantation. Apropos of 2 cases].
Two cases of septicemia due to Capnocytophaga in pediatric bone marrow recipients are reported. These gram negative rods, which are part of the normal buccal flora, cause periodontitis and localized or systemic infections, usually in immunocompromised hosts. Severe, prolonged neutropenia and mucitis due to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are risk factors for this opportunistic infection. Recovery can be achieved with most of the drug combinations including a beta-lactam used in hematology.
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The authors report twenty-two cases of obstructive anuria observed in children. Causes were diverse: 6 cases were observed during the course of tumors, 4 cases were secondary to bilateral renal stones (or unilateral in a single kidney), 3 cases were observed before surgical correction of latent or well tolerated congenital uropathy, and 9 cases occurred immediately after an operation (including 8 after antireflux surgery). Emergency treatment of obstructive anuria is based on urinary diversion, ideally by percutaneous nephrostomy under ultrasonic control. However, prevention is the best treatment of anuria: treatment of urinary tract infections resulting in renal stones, ultrasonographic monitoring for chronic proximal urinary tract dilatation in tumors: rigorous atraumatic operative technique avoiding oedema.