Transcatheter closure of large ostium secundum atrial septal defects in symptomatic small children: A single-center retrospective study.

Background: In general, the risks associated with transcatheter atrial septal defect (ASD) device closure are reported to be relatively low, but the evidence stems from trials involving adults and older children. Current guidelines do not recommend ASD device closure in children with defect sizes >20 mm due to limited data available in this group of patients. This retrospective study sought to determine the clinical and procedural characteristics of successful transcatheter ASD device closure in small children with large defects and assess the complication rates and reasons for unsuccessful device closure.

An unusual presentation of early congenital syphilis with annular configuration of blisters resembling "string-of-pearls".

Skin lesions in early congenital syphilis can show considerable variability. A 35-day-old infant presented with rhinitis, desquamation of palms and soles, pseudoparalysis of the right upper limb, and annular lesions with peripheral blistering over the chest and abdomen, resembling a "string-of-pearls." A diagnosis of congenital syphilis was made on the basis of radiologic evaluation and reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) in both mother and child.