[Pediatric therapeutic options in autoimmune neurologic diseases].

The pediatric neuroimmunology field has made significant progress in the last decade. Now, is possible to recognize primary demyelinating diseases, paraneoplastic syndromes, inflammatory (vasculitis), and granulomatous disorders that affect the central nervous system; at the same time, it is important to exclude neurologic manifestations caused by infections, toxic agents, and metabolic problems. An early diagnosis is imperative to institute treatment as soon as possible, improving outcomes.

[Autoimmune encephalitis in pediatric population].

Autoimmune encephalitis can be defined as central nervous system inflammation, secondary to multiple causes, where we can possibly identify the formation of auto-antibody against neurotransmitter receptors or neuronal surface proteins. Approximately 50% of patients are seropositive; the auto-antibody against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) are the most common. In the pediatric population, the clinical presentation is characterized by movement disorders and seizures, psychiatric manifestations are more commonly found in young adults.

Childhood pertussis is still here: An Asian city's perspectives.

Introduction: Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory infection that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is one of the most common causes of death in childhood. It is also a frequent cause of chronic cough in children, adolescents, and adults.

Self-perceived disease control in childhood eczema.

Background: Atopic eczema (AE) is a common relapsing inflammatory skin disease in children which is often associated with chronicity and poor quality of life. Unlike atopic asthma, control of AE is seldom assessed in therapeutics.

Aim: To investigate the utility of a Traffic Light Control (TLC) system as a measurement/assessment of self-perceived eczema control.

Medications and Recent Patents for Status Asthmaticus in Children.

Background: Status asthmaticus is an acute exacerbation of asthma that is persistent and intractable and remains unresponsive to initial treatment with bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids and that the condition can result in hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and secondary respiratory failure.

Objective: To review treatment and recent patents on management of status asthmaticus.

Method: A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term "status asthmaticus".

Complementary and alternative medicine for childhood asthma: an overview of evidence and patents.

Asthma is a prevalent childhood atopic disease associated with significant impairment of quality of life. Management relies on avoidance of triggers such as food and aeroallergens, the use of inhaled bronchodilators/corticosteroids and anti-allergic or immune-modulating therapies. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and bronchodilators have been the mainstay of treatment.

Cardiopulmonary morbidity of streptococcal infections in a PICU.

Aim: The streptococci are important bacteria that cause serious childhood infections. We investigated cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with streptococcal infection and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission.

Methods: A retrospective study between 2002 and 2013 of all children with a laboratory isolation of streptococcus.

Cupping Therapy May be Harmful for Eczema: A PubMed Search.

Eczema is a common childhood atopic condition and treatment is with emollients, topical corticosteroids, and avoidance of possible triggers. S. aureus colonization is a common complication.

Prolonged non-survival in PICU: does a do-not-attempt-resuscitation order matter.

Background: Etiologies of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality are diverse. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of PICU mortality in a regional trauma center, and explore factors associated with prolonged non-survival.

Methods: Demographic data of all PICU deaths in a regional trauma center were analyzed.

Specific IgG and IgA of common foods in Chinese children with eczema: friend or foe.

Background: Specific immunoglobulins G and A (IgG and IgA) for common food items have been extensively measured as surrogate markers of food allergy, and dietary avoidance based on the test results advocated.

Aim: We reviewed the prevalence of specific food IgG and IgA in children with eczema and evaluated outcome of dietary avoidance in these children.

Methods: Specific immunoglobulins of 96 food items were measured for 30 consecutive atopic dermatitis (AD) patients and disease severity [SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) and Nottingham eczema severity score (NESS)], Children Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), skin hydration (SH), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), topical corticosteroid and oral antihistamine usage were evaluated.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is characterized by seasonal rhinorrhea, nasal congestion/stuffiness, nasal and ocular pruritus, and paroxysmal sneezing. Allergen avoidance is the first step in the management. Symptomatic relief and improved quality of life can be achieved in the majority of patients by the appropriate use of pharmacotherapy.

Paradoxical use of oral and topical steroids in steroid-phobic patients resorting to traditional Chinese medicines.

Background: Childhood-onset eczema is a common condition associated with pruritus, sleep disturbance and disrupted quality of life. The mainstay of treatment is usage of emollients and topical corticosteroid (CS). Nevertheless, many steroid-phobic parents are very skeptical about western medicine that may contain CS.

Adverse Drug Reactions in Children--International Surveillance and Evaluation (ADVISE): a multicentre cohort study.

Background: A previous meta-analysis reported that 9.5% of hospitalized children suffered from an adverse drug reaction (ADR); however, reported incidences among studies varied.

Objective: To enhance the knowledge of ADRs in paediatric hospitalized patients at a global level we investigated the incidence and characteristics of ADRs in hospitalized children in European and non-European countries.

The atopic march: from skin to the airways.

Many patients with atopic eczema (AE) would "march" to develop allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. Physicians, patients and their families often do not appreciate the significance of these diseases as co-morbidities of atopy.The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of airway atopies in patients with AE.

Alopecia areata.

Alopecia aerata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that presents as well defined patches of nonscarring hair loss with no overt epidermal changes. The life-time risk of AA in the general population is approximately 1.7%.

Neonates investigated for influenza-like illness during the outbreak of pandemic H1N1 2009: trivial infections but major triage implications.

We report eight cases of neonates (from birth to 25 days) admitted to the neonatal service of a teaching hospital with influenza-like illness during the outbreak of pandemic H1N1 2009, and discuss their management and infection control issues. Empirical antibiotics were often promptly initiated and timely stopped when sepsis was ruled out. Also, there was no pandemic H1N1-09 but influenza A (H3N2, n = 1), parainfluenza (type 3, n = 3) and respiratory syncytial virus (n = 1) have been isolated.

Serum levels of heavy metals in childhood eczema and skin diseases: friends or foes.

The incidence of eczema has been increasing in developed countries. Environmental and hygiene factors have been incriminated. Although air and food pollution with heavy metals have been considered as possible culprits, these factors have never been investigated in Hong Kong.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is characterized by seasonal rhinorrhea, nasal congestion/stuffiness, nasal and ocular pruritus, and paroxysmal sneezing. Symptomatic relief and improved quality of life can be achieved in the majority of patients by using pharmacotherapy appropriately. Mild cases can be managed with either an oral antihistamine or a nasal corticosteroid alone.

Efficacy and tolerability at 3 and 6 months following use of azathioprine for recalcitrant atopic dermatitis in children and young adults.

Introduction: Recalcitrant childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) causes significant morbidity and may necessitate systemic treatment with immunomodulating agents such as azathioprine. We reviewed the clinical and biochemical effects of this agent in children and adolescents receiving this treatment between November 2005 and December 2007.

Methods: The clinical efficacy of azathioprine, and its hematological and biochemical effects (serum IgE level, liver and renal function), were assessed at 3 months and 6 months in 17 cases of recalcitrant AD.

Comparison of skin hydration evaluation sites and correlations among skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, SCORAD index, Nottingham Eczema Severity Score, and quality of life in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by dryness of the skin, pruritus and involvement of the skin flexures. Skin hydration (SH) and integrity, as measured by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), are important parameters for objectively quantifying AD research.

Objectives: To evaluate if sites in the forearm are equivalent to the antecubital fossa for standard SH and TEWL measurements; and to determine the correlations among these measurements and scores of disease severity and quality of life.

Issues associated with dog bite injuries in children and adolescents assessed at the emergency department.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of dog bites seen at the emergency department of a university hospital. The information will be used to plan prevention and enhance management strategies.

Methods: All patients (younger than 22 years) assessed at the emergency department between January 2003 and December 2004 with a discharge diagnosis of animal bites were identified through the computerized discharge network.

A malignant itch.

We report an unusual presentation of a previously healthy three-year-old Chinese girl with a four-week history of apparently unexplained generalized intense itch. She had no past history of atopy or xerosis. Despite the severe itch, she had only minimal scratch marks on her right gluteal region but no flexural involvement.