[Clinical and epidemiological features of pertussis among hospitalized infants in Seville during 2007-2011].

Introduction: Despite routine pertussis immunization, pertussis burden remains high, especially among infants. The aim of this study was to describe epidemiologic, clinical and outcome features in pediatric patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Andalusia (Southern Spain) with confirmed Bordetella pertussis infection.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study based on a review of medical records for all pediatric patients admitted to Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (Sevilla) between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011.

Infant with probable catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome successfully managed with rituximab.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired thrombophilic disorder characterized by the presence of autoantibodies to a variety of phospholipids and phospholipid-binding proteins. Clinical manifestations range from being asymptomatic to having imminently life-threatening events. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) occurs in <1% of patients with APS and is defined by multiple small-vessel occlusions that lead to multiple-organ failure and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates.