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Severe neonatal hypernatremia is an important electrolyte disorder that has serious effects. Cerebral venous thrombosis and aortic thrombosis are relatively rare in severe neonatal hypernatremic dehydration. The authors report a case of cerebral venous thrombosis, associated with aortic thrombosis revealed by dehydration in a 9-day-old boy. Diagnostic was performed using Doppler ultrasound and imaging techniques. Thrombosis was resolved after anticoagulation treatment with low-molecular weight heparin for 1 month, and then was substituted by oral anticoagulant. The case report is followed by a review of the literature dealing with clinical, aetiological and therapeutic aspects of neonatal thrombosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) is a well-described cause of subcutaneous calcification occurring in a young infant. Calcification of areas of fat necrosis in the neonate is a rare condition. In this case, the radiographic demonstration of soft-tissue calcification revealed the skin calcification in the absence of clinical signs of SCFN and without hypercalcaemia in the first 48 h of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a case of intracerebellar haematoma occurring during the neonatal period. A 5-day-old baby girl was admitted because of poor feeding and the anterior fontanelle was tense. CT scan of the brain revealed a round mass at the cerebellar vermis; the lesion simulated a cerebellar tumour such as a medulloblastoma. The mass was surgically removed and found to be an intracerebellar haematoma. The clinical and radiologic characteristics are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with an acute neurological deficit preceded by a 2 month history of headaches. The patient was treated for acute viral encephalitis because of the presence of inflammation. A computed tomography (CT) scan of her brain scan showed a cerebral ischaemic stroke, and paroxysmal arterial hypertension led us to suspect pheochromocytoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by elevated urinary catecholamine and by imaging (abdominal x-ray and abdominal/pelvic CT scan). Bilateral adrenal gland tumours were successfully removed. This report illustrates an uncommon presentation of pheochromocytoma in children and shows the importance of a careful investigation for pheochromocytoma as a cause of hypertension in children with cerebral ischaemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alors qu'elle est actuellement oubliée dans les pays développés, la syphilis congénitale se voit encore chez nous faute du dépistage anténatal. Ses formes cliniques sont polymorphes et orientent à tord vers d'autres pathologies surtout en période néonatale. Le diagnostic n'est donc pas toujours facile. La révélation d'une syphilis congénitale par une fracture spontanée est exceptionnellement décrite. Nous rapportons dans ce travail le cas d'un nourrisson de 2 mois ramené en consultation pour limitation douloureuse des mouvements du bras droit. Le diagnostic est évoqué sur les données radiologiques et confirmé par la sérologie syphilitique. Le traitement a reposé essentiellement sur l'administration de la pénicilline G avec une bonne évolution clinique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare and severe condition, with a primary focus in the cervicofacial area and followed by thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and metastatic infections, most often pulmonary. The principal pathogen is Fusobacterium necrophorum. Less rare and associated with high mortality before antibiotics, Lemierre syndrome had became exceptional until the increase in the number of cases in recent years. Recovery is usually the rule, but often only after long convalescence and often surgical intervention. The reemergence of this disease calls for a review of the literature to update knowledge about its epidemiologic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects., ((c) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Lemierre syndrome is a rare but severe septicaemia due most frequently to Fusobacterium necrophorum, with primary foci in the head, internal jugular vein thrombosis and metastatic infections, mainly in the lungs. We report two cases of Lemierre syndrome admitted to the paediatric unit of our hospital at 2-month intervals. The first was 10 years old and the second one was a 3-month-old infant. They were diagnosed on the 25th hospital day and at the time of admission, respectively. In the first case, diagnosis was delayed due to unfamiliarity with this disease. In the second patient the diagnosis was established on the first day because of the recent experience with patient 1. In both cases, bacteriological investigations were not helpful. Both patients had a favourable outcome after prolonged antibiotic treatment, anticoagulation and surgical drainage.

Anti-D isoimmunisation remains the most common cause of erythroblastosis fetalis. Whereas most clinically significant blood group sensitisations noted during pregnancy are still secondary to anti-D incompatibility, sensitisation to antigens other than D in the CDE system is not uncommon and can cause severe disease. The widespread use of Rh-D immune globulin has led to a relative increase in the importance of non-Rh-D isoimmunisation as a cause of haemolytic disease of the newborn. We report the case of a baby with severe hyperbilirubinaemia and persistent anaemia due to anti-c isoimmunisation with a high-titre maternal c antibody. The baby required emergency transfusion and intensive phototherapy. The medical literature relating to maternal c isoimmunisation and neonatal outcome is also reviewed. Because of its ability to cause clinically significant haemolytic disease of the newborn, practitioners must manage anti-c isoimmunisation in a manner similar to that for anti-D.