A Local Experience of Antibiotic Lock Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Central Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Patients.

Background: One of the main drawbacks of tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs) is catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). Antibiotic lock therapy (ALT) can be combined with systemic antibiotics to achieve catheter salvage. Our objectives are to describe cases of CRBSI and our experience with ALT in a pediatric oncology-hematology ward.

Vaccination against seasonal flu in childhood and adolescence. Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunizations of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP) for the 2024-2025 season.

The flu is a constant threat that can sometimes cause severe forms of disease. The highest incidence rates by age group occur in children under 15 years of age, especially in those under 5 years, in whom the rate of hospitalization is also similar to the population aged 65 years and older. In addition, children are the main transmitters of the infection.

Follow-up for 3 years of a pediatric population diagnosed in 2018 with mother-to-child transmission of HIV in 8 Latin American countries in the PLANTAIDS cohort.

Introduction: The frequency of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Latin America has decreased considerably. However, new infections continue to be recorded, and the pediatric population remains one of the most vulnerable groups in this region. The main objective of the study was to describe the clinical, epidemiological and psychosocial characteristics of new diagnoses of HIV MTCT in 2018 in the PLANTAIDS network (Paediatric Network for Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of HIV in Children) during the 3 years following diagnosis.

Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases and the Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics for vaccination of immunosuppressed individuals.

The number of people with immunosuppression is increasing considerably due to their greater survival and the use of new immunosuppressive treatments for various chronic diseases. This is a heterogeneous group of patients in whom vaccination as a preventive measure is one of the basic pillars of their wellbeing, given their increased risk of contracting infections. This consensus, developed jointly by the Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica (Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases) and the Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Asociación Española de Pediatría (Spanish Association of Paediatrics), provides guidelines for the development of a personalised vaccination schedule for patients in special situations, including general recommendations and specific recommendations for vaccination of bone marrow and solid organ transplant recipients, children with inborn errors of immunity, oncologic patients, patients with chronic or systemic diseases and immunosuppressed travellers.

Invasive Bacterial Infections in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: 2014-2019.

Background: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at a high risk of invasive bacterial infections (IBI). Universal penicillin prophylaxis and vaccination, especially against Streptococcus pneumoniae, have deeply changed its epidemiology. Analysis of IBI in children with SCD in a post-13-valent pneumococcal vaccine era is limited.

Serologic evolution and follow-up to IgG antibodies of infants born to mothers with gestational COVID.

Background: It is known that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy cross the placenta but the duration and the protective effect of these antibodies in infants is scarce.

Methods: This prospective study included mothers with SARS-COV-2 infection during pregnancy and their infants from April 2020 to March 2021. IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were performed on women and infants at birth and at two and six months during follow-up.

Clinical and Epidemiologic Characteristics of a Cohort of HIV-Infected Mother-Infant Pairs During 21 Years.

Background: HIV infection continues to be a worldwide public health problem. After the introduction of effective preventive measures, perinatal transmission dramatically decreased. Our aim was to assess the sociodemographic changes in pregnant women living with HIV infection and trends in perinatal transmission rates over time.

Prevalence of psychological symptoms and associated risk factors in a Spanish sample of HIV-positive youth compared to uninfected peers.

Introduction: The aim of the study was twofold: a) to determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety and sleep disturbances in young patients with vertically-transmitted HIV infection compared to uninfected peers, and b) to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial and medication-related variables and other clinical risk and protective factors related to psychological symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two groups with independent measures (36 youth with vertically transmitted HIV infection and 39 HIV-negative peers). We used 3 standardised assessment tools and a sociodemographic/psychosocial questionnaire (STAI, BDI, PSQI and adapted sociodemographic test).

New diagnosis of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in 8 Latin-American countries during 2018.

Background: Important prevention efforts have led to a reduction in mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) globally. However, new cases of paediatric HIV infections still occur. Early diagnosis of new HIV infections is essential to start an appropriate antiretroviral treatment to avoid childhood morbidity and mortality related to infection.

Immunization schedule of the Pediatric Spanish Association: 2022 recommendations.

After reviewing the best available scientific information, CAV-AEP publishes their new recommendations to protect pregnant women, children and adolescents living in Spain through vaccination. The same recommendations as the previous year regarding hexavalent vaccines, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine of 13 serotypes, booster with tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitis (Tdpa-IPV) at 6 years and with tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdpa) at 12-14 years and pregnant women from week 27 (from week 20 if there is a high risk of preterm delivery). Also with rotavirus, tetraantigenic meningococcal B (2+1), meningococcal quadrivalent (MenACWY), MMR, varicella and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, for both genders.

Safety and Experience With Combined Antiretroviral Prophylaxis in Newborn at High-risk of Perinatal HIV Infection, in a Cohort of Mother Living With HIV-infant Pairs.

Background: Perinatal transmission of HIV has dramatically decreased in high-income countries in the last few years with current rates below 1%, but it still occurs in high-risk situations, mainly pregnant women with late diagnosis of infection, poor antiretroviral adherence and a high viral load (VL). In these high-risk situations, many providers recommend combined neonatal prophylaxis (CNP). Our aim was to evaluate the safety and toxicity of CNP in infants deemed at high-risk of HIV infection among mother-infant pairs in the Madrid Cohort.

Risk-score based strategy to minimize antibiotic exposure in children with sickle cell disease and fever.

Severe bacterial infections (SBI) have become less frequent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the last decades. However, because of their potential risk of SBI, they usually receive empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics when they develop fever and are hospitalized in many cases. We performed a prospective study including 79 SCD patients with fever [median age 4.

Early antiretroviral therapy initiation effect on metabolic profile in vertically HIV-1-infected children.

Background: Early combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) in perinatally acquired HIV-1 children has been associated with a rapid viral suppression, small HIV-1 reservoir size and reduced mortality and morbidity. Immunometabolism has emerged as an important field in HIV-1 infection offering both relevant knowledge regarding immunopathogenesis and potential targets for therapies against HIV-1.

Objectives: To characterize the proteomic, lipidomic and metabolomic profile of HIV-1-infected children depending on their age at cART initiation.

Interleukin 6 as a marker of severe bacterial infection in children with sickle cell disease and fever: a case-control study.

Background: Etiological diagnosis of fever in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is often challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of inflammatory biomarkers in SCD febrile children and controls, in order to determine predictors of severe bacterial infection (SBI).

Methods: A prospective, case-control study was carried out during 3 years, including patients younger than 18 years with SCD and fever (cases) and asymptomatic steady-state SCD children (controls).

[Immunisation schedule of the Pediatric Spanish Association: 2021 recommendations].

The CAV-AEP annually publishes the immunisation schedule considered optimal for all children and adolescent resident in Spain, taking into account the available evidence. The 2+1 schedule is recommended (2, 4, and 11 months) with hexavalent vaccines (DTPa-VPI-Hib-HB) and with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate.A 6-year booster is recommended, preferably with DTPa (if available), with a dose of polio for those who received 2+1 schemes, as well as vaccination with Tdpa in adolescents and in each pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 32 weeks.

[Prevalence of psychological symptoms and associated risk factors in a Spanish sample of HIV-positive youth compared to uninfected peers].

Introduction: The aim of the study was twofold: (i)to determine the prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety and sleep disturbances in young patients with vertically-transmitted HIV infection compared to uninfected peers, and (ii)to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial and medication-related variables and other clinical risk and protective factors related to psychological symptoms.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two groups with independent measures (36 youth with vertically transmitted HIV infection and 39 HIV-negative peers). We used three standardised assessment tools and a sociodemographic/psychosocial questionnaire (STAI, BDI, PSQI and adapted sociodemographic test).

Effectiveness and safety of integrase inhibitors in HIV-infected pregnant women followed up in the Madrid Cohort.

Introduction: The risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is associated mainly with gestational age at which antiretroviral therapy begins and the HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load at delivery. Regimens with integrase inhibitors (INI) are increasing in high-risk pregnant women. The objective was to review the experience with INI in a Madrid Cohort of mother-infant pairs.

Perinatal HCV Transmission Rate in HIV/HCV Coinfected women with access to ART in Madrid, Spain.

Background: Maternal HIV coinfection is a key factor for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HCV. However, data about HCV MTCT in HIV/HCV-coinfected pregnant women on combined antiretroviral treatment (ART) are scarce. This study assessed the HCV MTCT rate in the Madrid Cohort of HIV-infected women.