[Changes in the isoniazid inactivation index during antituberculosis treatment in children].

Fluorimetric assays of serum isoniazid levels were performed in children treated either with isoniazid alone, or with isoniazid associated with other antituberculous drugs, in order to adjust the dosage. Study of the inactivation index at the 3rd hour, showed a faster metabolism in the younger children. Assays repeated twice or more in 160 patients, showed important variability in the results.

[Hypersensitivity pneumonitis in children. A study of 5 cases (author's transl)].

Five cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in children are reported. Four had the pattern of bird breeder's disease and one of aspergillus lung hypersensitivity. All were clearly defined by clinical, radiological, functional and immunologic features.

[Recurrent respiratory disease and IgA deficiency in infants and children (author's transl)].

Among nearly 1 300 infants and children studied for chronic or recurrent respiratory diseases 36 of them had plasma and/or salivary IgA deficiency. They were 1 to 13 years of age with 20 between 3 to 6 years; 11 had total, lack or traces of salivary IgA, 9 had very low or nul plasma IgA titer and 6 had both. The deficiency was transitory in 10.

[Tracheal dyskinesia (tracheomalacia) in infants and children. Study of 127 cases diagnosed through endoscopic examination (author's transl)].

127 cases of tracheal dyskinesia were seen in infants and children out of which 87 were 1 to 12 months of age. The diagnosis was based on the existence of a collapse reducing the tracheal diameter of more than 50% on endoscopy. Endoscopic examination was performed without general anesthesia.

[Diagnosis of interstitial pneumopathies in infants (author's transl)].

The authors discuss the etiological features of interstitial pneumopathies, with particular emphasis on their characteristics in the newborn and in immunodeficient children, and review the diagnostic findings : clinical and radiological signs, functional disturbances, and results of pulmonary biopsy. The results of 154 needle biopsies in 124 children aged 1 month to 16 years are described. In 103 cases a diffuse pneumopathy was present and 80 % of the biopsies were successful.

[Inappropriate secretion of ADH during acute respiratory infections due to adenovirus in children (author's transl)].

Four children aged between 7 and 19 months with severe bronchopneumonia due to adenovirus type 7, proved by virology and/or serology developed severe hyponatraemia. One of them is reported in detail: it was possible to estimate plasma ADH levels and thereby prove the existence of reversible hypersecretion of the hormone. Whilst the syndrome of hyponatraemia with inappropriate secretion of ADH has not yet been reported in association with severe pneumonia in the child, it is known in adults.

[Tuberculous mediastinal adenopathy in a child].

One case of mediastinal tuberculous lymph node with fistulae into the esophagus is reported in a 9 years old girl. The first symptom was the appearance of epigastric abdominal pain, with secondary dysphagia. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology after thoracotomy and surgical excision.