Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% lotion in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in pediatric subjects.

Background: Hydrocortisone butyrate (HCB) is currently marketed as a cream, ointment, and solution. A new lotion formulation of hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% (Locoid lotion) has been developed and evaluated.

Large dosage amoxicillin/clavulanate, compared with azithromycin, for the treatment of bacterial acute otitis media in children.

Background: A large dosage pediatric formulation of amoxicillin/clavulanate with an improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile was developed to eradicate many penicillin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae (including beta-lactamase-producing strains).

Methods: This randomized, investigator-blinded, multicenter trial examined treatment of bacterial acute otitis media (AOM) in children 6-30 months of age with amoxicillin/clavulanate (90/6.4 mg/kg/d in 2 divided doses for 10 days) versus azithromycin (10 mg/kg for 1 day followed by 5 mg/kg/d for 4 days).

Macrolide resistance: an increasing concern for treatment failure in children.

Background: Antimicrobial treatment of pediatric respiratory tract infections has evolved during the past 30 years as a result of antimicrobial resistance. The focus of antimicrobial therapy in these conditions has shifted from penicillins to other agents because of the dramatic increase in antimicrobial resistance among common respiratory pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. It is important for clinicians to understand how resistance develops so that they can help prevent this phenomenon from occurring with other antimicrobials.

Impact of a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine on the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated poliovirus-Haemophilus influenzae type b combination vaccination.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) on the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a novel diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP)- HepB-inactivated poliovirus (IPV)/ type b (Hib) combination vaccine administered subsequently at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

Methods: Neonates ( = 550) were randomized into two groups with regard to receipt of HepB at birth. All subjects in both groups received DTaP-HepB-IPV/Hib at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

Otitis media: diagnosis, management, and judicious use of antibiotics.

Otitis media continues to present a major challenge to practitioners in the clinical setting. With the ever-increasing trend toward the use of a sound research-structured approach to health care and the use of evidence-based guidelines, it is important to have an understanding of these findings related to otitis media. A review of research-supported literature regarding the diagnosis and management of this disease, and suggestions for the judicious use of antibiotics, are presented in this paper.