Influenza a H1N1 associated acute glomerulonephritis in an adolescent.

Influenza virus primarily affects the respiratory system. It rarely causes extrapulmonary complications, with otitis media and febrile seizures being the most common in children. Acute glomerulonephritis as a complication of H1N1 influenza virus infection has been described only sporadically.

Salivary biomarkers may measure stress responses in critically ill children.

Objective: Measurement of salivary biomarkers can provide important information regarding hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity both under normal conditions as well as in response to psychological or physical stress. Our aim was to correlate salivary stress markers, such as cortisol, α-amylase and immunoglobulin A, with the Pediatric Risk Index Score of Mortality, underlying disease (pathologic, trauma and postoperative), need for mechanical ventilation/sedation and time lag between onset of illness and admission in children admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Methods: We enrolled 79 pediatric intensive care unit patients (2-14 years) over a 2-year period, which satisfy the including criteria, but finally salivary biomarkers were evaluated in 65 patients.

Immune response to influenza vaccination in children with cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of influenza immunization to evoke a protective immune response among children with cancer. We evaluated 75 children with cancer who received influenza vaccination. Hemagglutination Inhibition Antibody titers were determined before and after vaccination.

Determinants of vaccination coverage and adherence to the Greek national immunization program among infants aged 2-24 months at the beginning of the economic crisis (2009-2011).

Background: Childhood immunization has significantly reduced the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases. Parental mistrust over vaccine safety has been associated with vaccine refusal creating barriers on vaccine coverage. Recently, economic crisis has imposed additional impediment.

Infant penile tuberculosis following circumcision.

Primary penile tuberculosis associated with bilateral inguinal lymphadenopathy is described in a previously healthy 10-month old infant, who had been circumcised in Pakistan 4 months earlier. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected by acid fast stain, PCR and culture in specimens obtained from the penile ulcer and the excised inguinal lymph nodes.