>>>   MEDSCAPE’s Pediatrics MedPulse®   <<<             

___________________ NEW FEATURE ARTICLES THIS WEEK __________________

ASK THE EXPERTS - MAXIMUM INTERVALS FOR THE 3-DOSE HEPATITIS B VACCINE

A pediatric patient received the 3-dose series of the hepatitis B vaccine over a 4-year period. What are the maximal and optimal intervals between doses?

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39895.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

FIRST REPORTS OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS (ADRS) IN RECENT WEEKS

The following table contains an overview of first published case reports of adverse drug reactions identified in the international literature in recent weeks. Any claim to a ‘first report’ is verified by a database search of previous literature.

Drug and Ther Perspect 17(11):15, 2001

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39919.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

DISTINGUISHING CRIB DEATH FROM A CRIMINAL ACT

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib or cot death, is the most common cause of death between ages one and six months.

Clinician Reviews 11(5):99-100, 103, 2001

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/40000.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

___________________________________ NEWS ______________________________

IMMUNIZATION DIFFERENCES NOT TIED TO VARIATION IN INTERNATIONAL ATOPIC DISEASE RATE

Despite suggestions to the contrary, increased immunization rates for tuberculosis, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP), and measles are not linked to a higher prevalence of atopic disease in childhood, according to a multinational research team.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39805.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

SURVIVORS OF MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE SHOW DETRIMENTS IN COORDINATION, COGNITION

Children who survive meningococcal disease score worse 10 years later on measures of coordination, cognition, and behaviour than their unaffected counterparts, according to the results of a prospective British study.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39848.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

CLUSTER OF VIRULENT H. INFLUENZAE TYPE A INFECTIONS SUGGESTS EMERGING PATHOGEN

Five cases of invasive infection with Haemophilus influenzae type a occurred in young children in Utah between December 1998 and October 1999, raising the fear that this organism may be emerging as a pathogen similar in virulence to H. influenzae type b.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39854.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

LYME DISEASE VACCINE APPEARS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR CHILDREN

The recombinant lipoprotein outer surface protein A (OspA) Lyme disease vaccine (LYMErix) appears to be safe and effective in children 4 to 18 years of age, according to a report in the July issue of Pediatrics.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39937.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

CHICKENPOX LINKED TO ABOUT ONE THIRD OF ISCHEMIC STROKES IN CHILDREN

Almost one third of ischemic strokes in children appear to be associated

with varicella infection, Canadian researchers report.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39955.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

RISPERIDONE MAY IMPROVE AUTISTIC SYMPTOMS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

The atypical antipsychotic risperidone appears to alleviate some of the

symptoms of autism in preschool children who show severe behavioural

problems such as tantrums or aggression, report investigators in Italy.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39985.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

ANTIMICROBIAL-RESISTANT ISOLATES OF STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE UP SHARPLY

Rates of antimicrobial resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates continue to increase at an alarming rate in the United States, according to a new report.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/39991.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

IRISH CHILDREN GIVEN OUT-OF-DATE POLIO VACCINE

More than 11,000 doses of out-of-date oral polio vaccine were given to Irish children between January 1998 and December 2000, according to figures released by the Department of Health and Children on Wednesday night.

http://pediatrics.medscape.com/40043.rhtml?srcmp=ped-070601

______________________________________________________________________

___________________ NEW FEATURE ARTICLES THIS WEEK ____________________

-- MEDSCAPE ORIGINAL ARTICLES --

-- MMWR --

HEPATITIS B OUTBREAK IN A STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, 2000

This investigation underscores the need to implement hepatitis B vaccination in correctional facilities.

MMWR 50(25):529-532, 2001. Centers for Disease Control

http://id.medscape.com/39866.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION LEVELS AMONG PERSONS AGED > OR =

65 YEARS --- UNITED STATES, 1999

To reach the 2010 national objective of >90% influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among this population, new strategies and additional resources to implement adult vaccination activities may be needed.

MMWR 50(25):532-537, 2001. Centers for Disease Control

http://id.medscape.com/39867.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

-- EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES --

SEASONAL VARIATION IN HOST SUSCEPTIBILITY AND CYCLES OF CERTAIN INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Seasonal cycles of infectious diseases have been variously attributed to changes in atmospheric conditions, the prevalence or virulence of the pathogen, or the behavior of the host.

Emerging Infectious Diseases (7)3, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/39875.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

PULSENET: THE MOLECULAR SUBTYPING NETWORK FOR FOODBORNE BACTERIAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE, UNITED STATES

PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping network for foodborne disease surveillance, was established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several state health department laboratories to facilitate subtyping bacterial foodborne pathogens for epidemiologic purposes.

Emerging Infectious Diseases (7)3, 2001

http://id.medscape.com/39920.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

_______________________________________________________________________

___________________________________ NEWS ______________________________

 -- CJD/BSE --

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, LEWY BODY DEMENTIA CAN MIMIC CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

Patients presenting with rapidly advancing dementia may be mistakenly diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), report German researchers.

http://id.medscape.com/39825.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

URINE TEST FOR PRION DISEASE SHOWS PROMISE

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy can be identified in a simple urine test, which could can prevent blood donations by human carriers and large-scale culling of unaffected cattle, Israeli researchers said Monday.

http://id.medscape.com/39844.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

-- VACCINATION --

IMMUNIZATION DIFFERENCES NOT TIED TO VARIATION IN INTERNATIONAL ATOPIC DISEASE RATE

Despite suggestions to the contrary, increased immunization rates for tuberculosis, diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP), and measles are not linked to a higher prevalence of atopic disease in childhood, according to a multinational research team.

http://id.medscape.com/39805.rhtml?srcmp=id-070601

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.