Childhood meningitis in Kuwait: epidemiology of etiologic agents and the need for pneumococcal disease prevention.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of the etiologic agents causing bacterial meningitis in Kuwait.

Subjects And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the medical records of children 1 month to 12 years old who had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings consistent with meningitis. Patients were identified from the records of the Departments of Microbiology and Communicable Diseases in six regional hospitals during 2001.

Randomized clinical trial comparing two natural surfactant preparations to treat respiratory distress syndrome.

Objectives: Natural surfactant preparations have been shown to reduce the severity and mortality of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two natural surfactants, namely SF-RI 1 (Alveofact) and barectant (Survanta), on the incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD) and other associated complications of RDS in preterm infants.

Methods: Preterm infants with RDS requiring artificial ventilation were randomly selected to receive an initial dose of either Alveofact or Survanta.

Prevalence of coeliac disease and longitudinal follow-up of antigliadin antibody status in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Coeliac disease (CD) is more prevalent in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and when untreated is associated with a number of medical complications, including poor glycaemic control. Identification of patients with CD has been facilitated in recent years by serological screening, including the use of antigliadin antibodies (AGAs) and endomysial antibodies (EMAs). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of CD in a clinic-based paediatric population with type 1 DM, and to study longitudinal changes in AGA status.

Comparison between different types of surveillance samples for the detection of GBS colonization in both parturient mothers and their infants.

Objective: To find the optimum screening method in detecting group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization in both mother and infant, and to identify the risk factors that influence GBS colonization in the infants.

Patients And Methods: 1,120 singleton pregnant women were evaluated for GBS colonization by combined lower vaginal-anorectal swabs (LVRS) and urine tests, while their infants were evaluated for colonization with skin, ear and gastric aspirate samples.

Results: LVRS swabs were positive in 14.