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The typical history of acute appendicitis is observed in less than 60% of cases. Therefore, searching for a surrogate marker is mandatory. Our goal was to determine whether the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) is an efficient biomarker for acute appendicitis.sTREM-1 serum levels were measured in addition to carrying out routine diagnostic tests (urine dipstick, complete blood count and CRP) in children admitted to the Emergency Department with suspected appendicitis. Statistical analysis was performed in order to examine whether sTREM-1 was a significant predictor of appendicitis.Fifty three of 134 children enrolled in the study were diagnosed with appendicitis. There was no significant difference in serum sTREM-1 levels (p = 0.111) between children with or without appendicitis (n = 81). Leukocytes, neutrophils and CRP were significantly elevated in the appendicitis group (p 0.001). The appendix diameter was significantly larger and the Alvarado score significantly higher in the appendicitis group (p 0.001).serum sTREM-1 is not a good marker for acute appendicitis. Customary tests in addition to a proper patient history and physical examination are still the most effective methods to diagnose acute appendicitis.

Background The typical history of acute appendicitis is observed in less than 60% of cases. Therefore, searching for a surrogate marker is mandatory. Our goal was to determine whether the soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) is an efficient biomarker for acute appendicitis. Methods sTREM-1 serum levels were measured in addition to carrying out routine diagnostic tests (urine dipstick, complete blood count and C- reactive protein) in children admitted to the Emergency Department with suspected appendicitis. Statistical analysis was performed in order to examine whether sTREM-1 was a significant predictor of appendicitis. Results Fifty three of 134 children enrolled in the study were diagnosed with appendicitis. There was no significant difference in serum sTREM-1 levels (p=0.111) between children with or without appendicitis. Leukocytes, neutrophils and CRP were significantly elevated in the appendicitis group (p

Many medications prescribed to children worldwide have not been approved for pediatric use because the necessary clinical trials have not yet been performed. Children given these drugs have been shown to be at increased risk for adverse drug reactions.The aim of this study was to assess the extent of unapproved (off label and/or unlicensed) use of medications in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in Israel.Medications administered to patients treated in the PICUs of Soroka University Medical Center (SMC) and Assaf Harofe Medical Center (AHMC) were reviewed. Analyses were retrospective at SMC and prospective at AHMC.The records of 158 patients were included in the study-116 patients at SMC (73.4%; 62 boys, 54 girls; mean [SD] age, 38.9 [50.4] months) and 42 at AHMC (26.6%; 26 boys, 16 girls; mean [SD] age, 63.3 [69.3] months). They received a total of 123 different medications. Sedatives and antibiotics were the most frequently prescribed drug classes at SMC (15.2% and 6.5%, respectively), and antibiotics, acetaminophen, and antiasthmatic drugs were most frequently prescribed at AHMC (14.4%, 13.6%, and 6.8%, respectively). Sympathomimetic drugs, sedatives, and antibiotics were the drugs most commonly prescribed in an unlicensed or off-label manner at SMC (11.4%, 11.4%, and 6.5%, respectively); at AHMC, they were antiinfectives, sympathomimetics, antiasthmatic drugs, and acetaminophen (18.7%, 16.9%, 12.7%, 6.8%, respectively). The percentage of patients receiving unapproved medications (SMC, 93 [80.2%]; AHMC, 38 [90.5%]) and the percentage of unlicensed and off-label prescriptions (SMC, 243 [41.5%]; AHMC, 118 [41.0%], respectively) were similar between the 2 PICUs. Inappropriate age was the most common off-label category, followed by different dose, different indication, and different route.The results of this study of unapproved prescriptions in 2 PICUs in Israel show a high number of such prescriptions and indicate an urgent need to investigate the use of those medications in children.

This study tested the relationship between psychosocial factors and incidence of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) attacks. Forty-five children with FMF were studied retrospectively. Parents assessed their child's hostility, perceived-control, illness-behavior encouragement (IBE), family dysfunction, and reported number of attacks during the last 12 months. Hostility was positively correlated with number of attacks, especially in children below age 10 and in girls. Family dysfunction was positively correlated with attacks in girls and in children at or above age 10. IBE was inversely correlated with attacks in older children. In children below age 10, number of siblings was positively correlated with attacks, and negatively correlated with attacks in the older group. Psychosocial factors explained 27% of the variability in attacks, after controlling for age and number of siblings, with hostility remaining the only significant predictor of attacks. These findings, if replicated in a prospective study, may guide interventions for preventing FMF attacks.

We performed a prospective, randomized, open-label equivalence study comparing the use of naproxen to aspirin in 33 patients with rheumatic fever. The mean time until resolution of arthritis was 2.9+/-2.9 days in both groups. Liver enzyme elevations were more frequent in the aspirin group (P=.002). We conclude that naproxen is as effective, is easier to use, and is safer than aspirin in the treatment of the arthritis of rheumatic fever.

This study tested the relationship between psychosocial factors and incidence of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) attacks. Forty-five children with FMF were studied retrospectively. Parents assessed their child's hostility, perceived-control, illness-behavior encouragement (IBE), family dysfunction, and reported number of attacks during the last 12 months. Hostility was positively correlated with number of attacks, especially in children below age 10 and in girls. Family dysfunction was positively correlated with attacks in girls and in children at or above age 10. IBE was inversely correlated with attacks in older children. In children below age 10, number of siblings was positively correlated with attacks, and negatively correlated with attacks in the older group. Psychosocial factors explained 27% of the variability in attacks, after controlling for age and number of siblings, with hostility remaining the only significant predictor of attacks. These findings, if replicated in a prospective study, may guide interventions for preventing FMF attacks.