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The authors report a case of probable Haemophilus influenzae endocarditis in a 7 month-old infant with a bicuspid aortic valve. Precocity of the occurrence of endocarditis in such asymptomatic cardiac abnormality, scarcity of the suspected germ, and the observed mode of evolution are underlined. This case raises the problem of an endocardial involvement in an infant properly treated by adapted intravenous antibiotherapy. It can be concluded that regular clinical and echocardiographic examination is necessary for every case of severe Haemophilus influenzae infection.

Triose phosphate isomerase catalyses dihydroxyacetone phosphate to glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate isomerism. Its deficiency associates hemolytic anemia, neurologic abnormalities, relapsing infections and results in encephalopathy or early death. On the occasion of 2 new cases, we report one of the most important familial surveys as 93 subjects were studied, confirming the autosomal recessive transmission of the deficiency and the first results of antenatal diagnosis which could be performed in one of the families.

The management of fetal heterotopic tachycardias is reviewed from a cooperative study involving 23 cases treated by French Pediatric Cardiology Centers at Angers, Brest, Nantes, Rennes and Tours. There were 17 cases of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), 5 of flutter and 1 of atrial tachycardia. Seventeen mothers were given an antiarrythmic treatment. They all received Digoxin by mouth, with either Propranolol in 2 cases, Sotalol and Verapamil in one case each. In 5 cases 2 or more other drugs were associated. There was a good in utero response in 12 cases. Among the 23 patients, 5 died, all with hydrops fetalis at the time of diagnosis of SVT. Finally 2 newborns were successfully treated at the time of delivery by a direct puncture of the umbilical cord.

The authors report two cases of neonatal hemolytic anemia without methemoglobinemia secondary to intraamniotic injection of 10 mg of methylene blue. Evolution was favourable without exchange transfusion. This emphasizes the importance of searching for a toxic origin in case of neonatal hemolytic anemia without apparent cause.