Neurological complications associated with influenza in hospitalized children.

Background: Influenza is a known respiratory and potential neurotropic virus. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of influenza-related neurological complications among hospitalized children.

Methods: All medical records of hospitalized children aged <18 years old diagnosed with influenza at a tertiary care hospital in Bangkok were retrospectively reviewed.

Immunogenicity of 2-dose pre-exposure rabies vaccine co-administered with quadrivalent influenza vaccine in children.

Objectives: The World Health Organization recommends a 2-dose rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimen. This study aimed to compare the immunogenicity of rabies PrEP regimens co-administered with inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4).

Methods: Children aged 3 to 9 years were randomly assigned (2:2:1) to receive 0.

The Association between Hepcidin and Iron Status in Children and Adolescents with Obesity.

Introduction: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency found in pediatric practice. A higher prevalence of ID may be found in children with obesity. Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition.

Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire Correlated with Body Compositions of Thai Children and Adolescents with Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Obesity is a major threat to public health. Eating behavior and dietary intake of especially high energy-dense food with low nutrients contribute to the current epidemic of childhood obesity. However, the relationship between eating behavior and body composition has yet to be examined in Thai children and adolescents with obesity.

High prescribing rates of third-generation cephalosporins in children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory infections at a university hospital.

Objective: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for the treatment of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in children ≤5 years of age, even though viral aetiologies are the most common. The aim of this study was to describe antibiotic prescribing rates and patterns in children ≤5 years of age hospitalized with ALRI.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients aged 1 month to 5 years hospitalized with ALRI at a university hospital.

Pediatric and Neonatal Invasive Candidiasis: Species Distribution and Mortality Rate in a Thai Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a serious infection among children with underlying medical conditions. A shift from C. albicans to non-albicans Candida has been observed worldwide.

Efficacy of chlorhexidine patches on central line-associated bloodstream infections in children.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are important hospital-acquired infections. Chlorhexidine-impregnated dressings (also known as chlorhexidine patches, CHG patches) are reported to decrease CLABSIs in adults. This study aims to determine the efficacy of CHG patches in reducing CLABSIs in children.

Behavioral problems in perinatally HIV-infected young children with early antiretroviral therapy and HIV-exposed uninfected young children: prevalence and associated factors.

Although behavioral problems have been observed in children and adolescents with perinatally-acquired HIV infection (PHIV), behavioral information regarding younger PHIV children are scarce. This study aims to identify behavioral problems in PHIV and HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children and to evaluate factors associated with such problems. A prospective study of PHIV and HEU young children was conducted.

Safety of 6-week Neonatal Triple-combination Antiretroviral Postexposure Prophylaxis in High-risk HIV-exposed Infants.

Background: Combination antiretroviral drug regimens are increasingly preferred for neonatal postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among HIV-exposed infants with high-risk of transmission. We evaluated the adverse events associated with the use of zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)/nevirapine (NVP) for neonatal PEP during the first 6 weeks of life.

Methods: A prospective cohort of non-breast-fed HIV-exposed infants was conducted at 5 clinical sites in Thailand.

A randomized open-label trial of 2-dose or 3-dose pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis among Thai children.

Background: World Health Organization changed the recommendation for pre-exposure rabies prophylaxis from 3-dose to 2-dose regimen in 2018. Given limited data of 2-dose regimens in pediatric population, this study aimed to compare the immunogenicity between 2-dose and 3-dose pre-exposure rabies immunization.

Methods: This study was conducted among healthy children aged 2-12 years.

Low risk of neurodevelopmental impairment among perinatally acquired HIV-infected preschool children who received early antiretroviral treatment in Thailand.

Introduction: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended in perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV) infants immediately upon diagnosis. We aimed to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes between PHIV children who initiated ART within 12 months of life and perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) children and to assess neurodevelopmental outcomes by timing of ART.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included Thai children aged 12 to 56 months who were assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) at enrolment and at 48 weeks.

An Integrated Approach to HIV Disclosure for HIV-Affected Families in Thailand.

Disclosure of HIV status to family members could improve communication, relationship, and cohesion. We evaluated the impact of a family-centered program designed to increase the readiness/willingness of parents to disclose HIV status to their children. People living with HIV (PLWH) with children ≥8 years were surveyed regarding HIV knowledge, family relationship, attitudes, willingness/readiness to disclose, and they were then invited to participate in group education and family camps.

Safety and immunogenicity of a varicella vaccine without human serum albumin (HSA) versus a HSA-containing formulation administered in the second year of life: a phase III, double-blind, randomized study.

Background: A new formulation of the live-attenuated varicella vaccine Varilrix (GSK) produced without human serum albumin (HSA) was developed to minimize a theoretical risk of transmission of infectious diseases. A previous study showed that the vaccine was immunologically non-inferior to the HSA-containing vaccine and well-tolerated in toddlers; low-grade fever was numerically higher in children receiving the vaccine without HSA, but the study lacked power to conclude on this difference.

Methods: In this phase III, double-blind, multi-center study, healthy 12-23-month-olds were randomized (1:1) to receive two doses of the varicella vaccine without (Var-HSA group) or with HSA (Var + HSA group) at days 0 and 42.

Nevirapine Concentrations During the First Month of Life and Maternal Efavirenz Washout in High-Risk HIV-Exposed Infants Receiving Triple Antiretroviral Prophylaxis.

Background: Triple-drug infant antiretroviral prophylaxis containing nevirapine (NVP) is increasingly used to prevent HIV transmission among neonates at high risk of HIV infection. Our aim was to describe NVP concentration from birth through the first month of life.

Methods: High-risk HIV-exposed neonates were enrolled in a prospective cohort in Thailand.

Intensification of antiretroviral treatment with raltegravir for pregnant women living with HIV at high risk of vertical transmission.

 The rate of vertical HIV transmission for women at high risk of HIV transmission stands at approximately 7.6%. In the present study we describe infant infection rates in women who had received raltegravir (RAL) intensification during pregnancy to a standard three-drug antiretroviral (ART) regimen in Thailand.

Persistence of hepatitis B immune memory until 9-10 years of age following hepatitis B vaccination at birth and DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T vaccination at 2, 4 and 6 months.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term persistence of anti-hepatitis B surface (HBs) antibodies and the response to a HB challenge re-vaccination in children who had received a primary series of DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T (Hexaxim™) or DTaP-IPV-HB/PRP∼T (Infanrix hexa™).

Methods: Two cohorts of participants who had previously received HB vaccine at birth followed by either DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP∼T or DTaP-IPV-HB/PRP∼T co-administered with PCV7 at 2, 4, 6 months of age in a randomized, Phase III, observer-blind study in Thailand, were followed up for anti-HBs antibodies (geometric mean concentrations [GMCs] and seroprotection [SP] rate [% of participants with a titer ≥10 mIU/mL]) at 12-18 months of age and 9-10 years of age. A monovalent HB challenge re-vaccination was administered at 9-10 years of age and the anamnestic response was evaluated.

Pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine and 24-week outcomes after switching from efavirenz in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected adolescents.

Background: Rilpivirine (RPV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug, could be a favourable drug for maintenance therapy in HIV-infected adolescents because it has few long-term side effects. However, data among adolescents switching from efavirenz (EFV) to RPV are limited. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and efficacy of RPV in virologically suppressed HIV-1-infected adolescents after switching from EFV.

Post-licensure, phase IV, safety study of a live attenuated Japanese encephalitis recombinant vaccine in children in Thailand.

Background: Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease endemic in most countries in Asia. A recombinant live, attenuated Japanese encephalitis virus vaccine, JE-CV, is licensed in 14 countries, including Thailand, for the prevention of Japanese encephalitis in adults and children.

Methods: This was a prospective, phase IV, open-label, multicentre, safety study of JE-CV conducted from November 2013 to April 2015, to evaluate rare serious adverse events (AEs).

Persistence of Wild-Type Japanese Encephalitis Virus Strains Cross-Neutralization 5 Years After JE-CV Immunization.

Background: The live-attenuated Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (JE-CV; IMOJEV) induces a protective response in children. A shift in circulating JE virus strains suggests that a genotype shift phenomenon may occur throughout Southeast Asia. We assessed the neutralization of wild-type (WT) JE virus isolates at distal time points after vaccination.

Long-term follow-up of Japanese encephalitis chimeric virus vaccine: Immune responses in children.

Background: A single dose of live attenuated Japanese encephalitis chimeric virus vaccine (JE-CV) was shown to be immunogenic and well tolerated when given either as a booster to formalin-inactivated Japanese encephalitis (JE)-vaccine (mouse brain-derived vaccine [MBDV])-primed 2-5-year-olds, or as a primary vaccination to JE-vaccine-naïve 12-24-month-old toddlers in Thailand. A 5-year follow-up assessment of immune response persistence over time was conducted.

Methods: Four additional visits (at 2, 3, 4, and 5years) for immunologic assessments were added to the original 12-month open-label crossover study, in which 100 healthy children aged 2-5years with a history of two-dose primary vaccination with MBDV (according to the Thai Expanded Program for Immunization schedule), and 200 healthy JE-vaccine-naïve 12-24-month-old toddlers, were randomized 1:1 to receive JE-CV, containing ⩾4 log plaque forming units, 1month before or after hepatitis A control vaccine.

Immunogenicity of a Japanese encephalitis chimeric virus vaccine as a booster dose after primary vaccination with SA14-14-2 vaccine in Thai children.

Background: Japanese Encephalitis chimeric virus vaccine (JE-CV) and SA14-14-2 vaccine are live-attenuated JE vaccines produced from the same virus strain. Data on interchangeability is limited.

Objectives: To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of JE-CV booster after primary vaccination with SA14-14-2 vaccine.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Pediatric Healthcare Workers without Immunity to Varicella zoster Virus.

This study aimed to determine the proportion of varicella non-immune pediatric healthcare workers (HCWs) of the Pediatrics Department of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and to determine cost-effective strategies for identifying non-immune personnel. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire to determine HCWs' histories of chickenpox or 2-dose varicella vaccination was conducted. From a total of 699 HCWs, 653 HCWs (93%), including 145 physicians (22%), 297 nurses (46%), and 211 administrative staff (32%), responded to questionnaires.

Clinical Features and Survival Outcomes of Invasive Aspergillosis in Pediatric Patients at a Medical School in Thailand.

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe infection in immunocompromised patients. Recently, serum galactomannan has been widely used for diagnosis and voriconazole as an antifungal agent. The objective of this study is to describe clinical features and survival outcomes of IA.