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The infant with cyanosis is a distressing medical presentation. This article provides an overview of the many causes of cyanosis. Emphasis is placed on the pathophysiology of each disease process: cardiac system - the most commonly involved organ system; pulmonary system; upper airway obstruction; infectious processes in the context of septic shock, meningitis, or pulmonary disease; shock (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic); gastroesophageal reflux; neurologic system; sudden infant death syndrome and near-miss sudden infant death syndrome; trauma; poisoning; metabolic disturbances; methemoglobinemia. A rational approach to diagnosis is outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing susceptibility of bacterial otopathogens is only one aspect of the evolving concepts regarding pathogenesis, immunoprophylaxis, pharmacodynamies, and sequelae of acute otitis media that mandates new insights for achieving a successful outcome. 2004 guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics for the treatment of acute otitis media provide one perspective that proposes a rethinking of the routine use of antimicrobial therapy with the hope of preventing further increases in bacterial resistance among otopathogens. The goals of this article are to incorporate the advances in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and management of sequelae into strategies that optimize the outcome of acute otitis media and limit further emergence of resistant otopathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic agents for the treatment of HIV infection in children have incresed rapidly. Four classes of compounds currently are licensed for administration to patients with HIV infection: nucleoside reverstranscriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reversetranscirptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), protease inhibitors and most recently, fusion inhibitors. This article describes the clinical utilities, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of those new drugs to empower practitioners to use them appropriately. Finally the author presents the treatment for HIV infection: 2006 recommendations of the International AIDS Society-USA Panel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the number and classes of antiviral agents that has occurred since the 1980s is remarkable. Antiviral drugs are currently available for the treatment of herpesvirus infections (herpes simplex virus - HSV, varicella-zoster virus - VZV, cytomegalovirus - CMV). This article describes the clinical utilities, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of these new drugs used for treating herpesvirus infections to empower practitioners to use them appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic infections in children present many challenges for the clinician. These complex diseases are often difficult to diagnose and require pathogen - specific treatment with drugs that are unfamiliar to many clinicians. International travel and immunodeficiency states, such as AIDS, have been factors in the increasing prevalence and clinical importance of these infections in children. As in bacterial and viral infections, the emergence of drug resistance is a continuing potential threat. From endemic malaria in persons in sub-Saharian Africa to giardiasis in children US daycare centers to Pneumocystis infections in AIDS patients, it is likely that parasitic infections will remain a persistent challenge for public health and infectious disease specialists for many years to come. This article is organized into three main sections, based on parasite structure and disease epidemiology: 1. protozoan infections found primarily in developing countries; 2. protozoan infections distributed globally and infections in immunocompromised hosts, and; 3. helminth infections. Drugs used in the treatment of more than one type of parasite are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a brief overview of the current state of systemic antifungal therapy. Currently licensed drugs, including amphotericin B ant its lipid derivates: 5-fluorocytosine; the azoles, including fluconozole, itraconazole, and voriconazole; and a representative of the new class of echinocandin (micafungin and anidulafungin) that are likely to be licensed in the United States in the next years are also addressed. The antifungal spectra of each agent are presented on table 1, and recommended dosages are summarized on table 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovery and development of new antiviral agents has increased dramatically since the 1980's. Antiviral drugs are currently available for the treatment of respiratory virus infections (influenza A, influenza B, RSV - respiratory syncitial virus). The author presents classes of antiviral agents used for treating respiratory virus infections: tricyclic amines - Amantadine and Rimantadine neuraminidase inhibitors - Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) nucleoside analogues - Ribavirin The article describes the clinical utilities, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of these new drugs to empower practitioners to use them appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acronym ‟TORCH„ represent a generic group of parasitic, bacterial and viral pathogens that produce congenital or perinatally acquired infections. TORCH stands for toxoplasmosis ‟other„, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex. The ‟other„ is an increasing number of agents responsible for fetal infections, such as varicella-zoster, parvovirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, syphilis… Many of the clinical manifestations of TORCH infections are similar and include intrauterine growth retardation, nonimmune hydrops, anemia, thrombocytopenia, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, chorioretinitis and congenital malformations. Some of the unique manifestations and epidemiologic characteristics of these infections are noted in table 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le symptôme ‟douleurs des membres inférieurs„ représente un motif très fréquent de consultation médicale chez l'enfant. Qu'il soit isolé ou partie d'un syndrome plus vaste, son existance conduirait, à la limite, à une revue quasi générale de la pathologie. La discussion se circonscrit à un certain nombre de catégories dont la distinction s'avère relativement aisée par des moyens cliniques et paracliniques simples. L'auteur présente: l'interrogatoire de l'enfant et des parents; l'examen physique; les examens complémentaires; le context(traumatique, infectieux, une maladie sanguine connue, une affection maligne, tumeurs osseuses(bénignes, malignes), une maladie ‟systémique„, or avec le siège localisé - hanche, genou, cheville et pied - secondaires à un trouble orthopedique ou l'hysterie, et les douleurs dites ‟de croissance„). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'auteur présente: les données physiologiques de l'hémogramme (tableau I) et le myélogramme (tableau II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intéressant une région anatomique très limitée, dont les fonctions de respiration sont intimement liées aux mécanismes de la déglutition, les infections des voies respiratoires hautes s'accompagnent le plus souvent d'une même symptomatologie loco-régionale. Quand elle existe, cette sémiologie relève de deux causes essentielles: phénomènes infectieux et inflammatoires, facteurs mécaniques et douloureux, qui, ensemble ou individuellement, sont responsables de: troubles de la respiration, perturbations de l'acte de succiondéglutition, infections descedentes et de voisinage, troubles digestifs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents antiviral agents in use for the treatment of HBV and HCV [interferon (HBV and HCV), lamivudine (HBV), adefovir (HBV) and ribavirin in combination with interferon (HCV)] and antiviral agents in use for HPV infection, the most prevalent for sexually transmitted diseases, with 75% of women in USA acquiring genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Techological development in genetics and genomics provides unprecedented possibilities to identify the underlying molecular basis of many common diseases. With the availability of the human genome sequence and growing information on the most DNA variations combined with the molecular analysis on the RNA expression and protein levels, diseases might be characterized in the future at the molecular level. Describing gene function and the specific role of DNA, RNA and proteins in the disease process, provides novel diagnosis tools and treatment. Eventually, the goal is always to provide optimal therapy for each patient. Understanding how the unique genetic signature of an individual influences the risk and prognosis of disease is the basis of individualized medicine in the years to come (Broeckel et al, 2006). The author also underlines, the importance of a careful family history, complete clinical examination, routine laboratory investigations, specialized investigations for the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'auteur présente: définition; démarche diagnostique [angine streptococcique, angines virales, angine érythémateuse, angine érythémato-pultacée, angine pseudo-membraneuses, angines ulcéro-nécrotiques, angines phlegmoneuses, angines vésiculeuses [l'herpangine]; l'examen bactériologique; complications des angines streptococciques; traitement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the existence of medication errors in pediatric practice in which they are significant to morbidity and mortality in children. It states the use of computerized physician order entry systems, preprinted order forms and color-coded systems to reduce the numbers of errors. It highlights that the adoption of system approach to medication errors is crucial to health system because it enhance patient safety.

The article discusses the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in diverse medical and health care systems, touching on practices and products that deviate from the conventional medical practice. It states that the growing practice of pediatric integrative medicine advocated for tested combination of therapies in children's medical care. It adds that professional groups have supported the pediatric CAM approaches for obesity, autism, ADHD, and encopresis in pediatric oncology.

Throughout the last decade we observed an increasing appreciation for the plasticity and complexity of children's pain. Children's perceptions of pain is defined by their age and cognitive level; their previous pain experiences against which they evaluate each new pain; the relevance of the pain or disease causing pain; their expectations for obtaining eventual recovery and pain relief; and their ability to control the pain themselves. Neural plasticity seems an even very important for controlling children's pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report the case of a 2 year 9 month old girl with neurodevelopmental delay and dysmorphic facial features: microcephaly, high and arched forehead, proeminence of the metopic suture, enophtalmya, micrognatia, big and malformed ears with low insertion. Classic Cytogenetic analysis with G banding revealed the following chromosomial formula: 46, XX de r(15)(9p ter ® 9p 11::15p 12 ® 15q ter), meaning that some additional material that correspond to the short arm of chromosome 9 is translocated to the 15 chromosome. The FISH test confirmed the presence of triplication in this patient. Normal karyotype was present in parents and sibling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]