The effect of valacyclovir on secondary prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection, following primary maternal infection acquired periconceptionally or in the first trimester of pregnancy. An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Objective: Recent studies have shown that a dosage of 8 g/d of oral valacyclovir reduces substantially the vertical transmission rate of cytomegalovirus in women with primary cytomegalovirus infection acquired periconceptionally or during the first trimester of pregnancy. This individual patient data meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of valacyclovir treatment in the secondary prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the US registry of clinical trials (www.

Revised Protocol for Secondary Prevention of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection With Valaciclovir Following Infection in Early Pregnancy.

Background: A previous randomized placebo-controlled study found valaciclovir to be effective in reducing the rate of vertical cytomegalovirus transmission from mother to fetus. The better results in women infected in the first trimester compared to the periconception period were attributed to the timing of treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate valaciclovir efficacy in this setting using a revised protocol.

Rheumatic fever in a developed country - is it still relevant? A retrospective, 25 years follow-up.

Background: Our aims were to clinically and epidemiologically characterize rheumatic fever (RF) in the current era in Israel. Although there has been a steady decline in the incidence of RF in the western world, evidence of disease resurgence in developed countries continues to be published. The paucity of recent epidemiological data prompted our study.

Comparative Study of Parenteral Penicillin G vs. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate for the Treatment of Dentoalveolar Abscess in Hospitalized Children.

To compare the clinical efficacy and the safety profiles of parenteral penicillin G vs. amoxicillin-clavulanate for the treatment of dentoalveolar abscess (DA) in hospitalized pediatric patients. A retrospective cohort study that was conducted at the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Israel.

Valaciclovir to prevent vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus after maternal primary infection during pregnancy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Cytomegalovirus is a common congenital infection, with high morbidity after an early primary maternal infection. No effective means exist to prevent viral transmission to the fetus. We aimed to investigate whether valaciclovir can prevent vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus to the fetus in pregnant women with a primary infection acquired early in pregnancy.

Treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus beyond the neonatal period: an observational study.

Recently, valganciclovir treatment of symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) disease, commenced during the neonatal period (≤ 4 weeks), was found to improve hearing and developmental outcome. However, many children (symptomatic or asymptomatic at birth) present only after 4 weeks of age. The purpose of this observational retrospective study was to describe the outcome and safety of valganciclovir therapy in infants with cCMV who started treatment > 4 weeks of life.

Efficacy and Safety of a Weight-based Dosing Regimen of Valganciclovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in Pediatric Solid-organ Transplant Recipients.

Background: Valganciclovir has been widely used for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, the optimal dosing protocol and target exposure in children are still unclear. Specific data as to the efficacy and safety of low-dose/low-exposure regimens are lacking and urgently needed.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Infants After a Brief Resolved Unexplained Event-Related Hospitalization.

Objective: A brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) in infancy is a common reason for visiting the emergency department. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of such an event. This study evaluates future mortality, morbidity, and/or developmental outcome after a BRUE.

Musculoskeletal Manifestations as Presenting Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children and Adolescents.

A comparison of 23 children with inflammatory bowel disease presenting with musculoskeletal symptoms and 46 children with arthritis of other causes yielded significantly higher rates in the inflammatory bowel disease group of sacroiliitis, arthralgia, additive and recurrent arthritis, microcytic anemia, elevated inflammatory markers, and hypoalbuminemia. Clinical awareness of these findings could expedite diagnosis and treatment.

Hematologic Adverse Events Associated With Prolonged Valganciclovir Treatment in Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Background: Valganciclovir (2/d) therapy for 6 months in neonates with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection improves hearing and neurodevelopmental outcome. The only reported adverse event was neutropenia. Since 2009, our protocol for symptomatic cCMV infection was a 1-year treatment of 2/d for the first 3 months followed by 9 months of 1/d.

Valganciclovir Is Beneficial in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus and Isolated Hearing Loss.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of antiviral treatment for infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) with isolated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Study Design: Data were reviewed retrospectively for infants with isolated SNHL who received prolonged antiviral treatment between 2005 and 2017. Hearing status was evaluated for infants who had been followed for >1 year.

Mycobacterium marinum: a rare cause of chronic lymphocutaneous syndrome.

Unlabelled: We investigated the prevalence of Mycobacterium marinum lymphadenitis and describe 4 children with the disease. The database of the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary pediatric medical center was searched for all cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis from 1996 to 2016. M.

Protracted febrile myalgia syndrome treated with pulse of corticosteroids.

Objective: This study describes our 5-year experience treating protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) with pulsed doses of corticosteroids.

Methods: Eight patients with PFMS who received pulse corticosteroid therapy were identified from the electronic database of a tertiary pediatric medical center (2011-2016). Their clinical and laboratory data were collected.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection After a Multiple Birth Pregnancy.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is an important cause of hearing loss and neurodevelopment delay. While data on vertical transmission and neonatal outcome after singleton pregnancy with cCMV are well established, only scarce reports have addressed cCMV in multiple birth pregnancies. Furthermore, no studies have yet compared the outcome after birth and long-term follow-up of children with cCMV born after a singleton versus multiple pregnancies.

Valganciclovir Dosing for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis in Pediatric Solid-organ Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Pharmacokinetic Study.

Background: Valganciclovir is extensively used for prophylaxis and treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in solid-organ transplant recipients. However, pharmacokinetic data in children are scarce, and the pediatric dosing regimen is uncertain. This study sought to prospectively evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, the clinical efficacy and safety of oral valganciclovir in pediatric transplant recipients and compare different dosing regimens.

Children after renal transplantation hospitalized for fever: Is empirical antibiotic treatment always justified?

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. However, data focusing on children are scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency and predictors of bacterial infection in pediatric renal transplant recipients in a specific setting of hospitalization due to fever.

Positive IgM in Congenital CMV Infection.

Neonatal serum detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin M (IgM) has low sensitivity in identifying congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). Several reports have endeavored to associate the presence/absence of IgM to disease severity. Data were collected for all infants with cCMV followed in our clinic.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa identified as a key pathogen in hospitalised children with aspiration pneumonia and a high aspiration risk.

Aim: Data on the causative pathogens and optimal empirical therapy of aspiration pneumonia in children are limited. This study sought to describe the bacteriology of aspiration pneumonia in hospitalised children with a high aspiration risk.

Methods: Respiratory tract specimens were prospectively collected using the induced sputum technique from children with a high aspiration risk who were hospitalised for aspiration pneumonia in a tertiary paediatric medical centre from 2009 to 2014.

Using the Rochester criteria to evaluate infantile fever is more effective in males than females.

Aim: The reliability of low-risk and high-risk criteria in evaluating febrile infants aged up to 60 days has been well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in the reliability of these criteria in order to exclude serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile infants.

Methods: This study used the Rochester risk criteria, the study group was divided into low- or high-risk status for SBI, and the data were stratified by gender.

Clinical Implications for Children Born With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Following a Negative Amniocentesis.

Background: Recently, congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection was reported irrespective of a negative amniotic fluid prenatal analysis for cytomegalovirus (CMV). The question of whether this phenomenon represents low sensitivity of the test or late development of fetal infection (after amniocentesis) was discussed, but not answered. However, if late transmission is the rule, then infants born with cCMV after negative amniocentesis would be expected to carry better prognosis than those who tested positive.