[Hospitalizations for varicella in the Hospital Infantil La Fe, Valencia,Spain, 2001-2004].

Introduction: Varicella is a common, highly contagious disease. It is usually benign but has potentially serious complications.

Patients And Methods: To assess the clinical characteristics and the associated cost of varicella hospitalization, we reviewed the medical records of children hospitalized for varicella between 2001 and 2004.

[Skin and soft tissue infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b over a 30 year period].

Introduction: The skin and soft tissue infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are usually mild but can be potentially serious due to the high probability of bacteremia. Prompt instauration of empiric intravenous antibiotic therapy according to the localization and characteristics of the lesion is mandatory to prevent severe complications.

Patients And Methods: Of 257 children admitted to the Children's Hospital of La Fe due to invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (1973 to 2003), we reviewed 15 cases (5.

Inflammatory pulmonary nodules in Kawasaki disease.

Symptomatic pulmonary manifestations of Kawasaki disease (KD) are uncommon. However, epidemiologic, radiologic, and histologic studies have indicated that respiratory symptoms and findings occur in KD and suggest that the KD agent may have a respiratory portal of entry. We report on three young infants with KD who developed pulmonary nodules, in addition to coronary artery aneurysms.

[Pyriform sinus fistulae].

Pyriform sinus fistulae (PSF) are rare branchial pouch anomalies. In most previously described cases the anomaly is located on the left side. PSF should be suspected in cervical inflammatory processes (cervical abscesses and types of suppurative thyroiditis).

[Comparison between penicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid for the treatment of recurrent tonsillopharyngitis in childhood].

Fifty-one children aged 2-14 years with recurrent tonsillopharyngitis, presenting dysphagia, fever and lymphadenitis, with more than two similar episodes in the last three years and showing a beta-hemolytic group A streptococci in the pharyngeal smear, were studied. They underwent random treatment for ten days with phenoxymethylpenicillin (40-60 mg/kg/day) (n = 28) or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (20-40 mg/kg/day) (n = 23) taken orally three times a day. Clinical and bacteriological tests were carried out at 10 days and 2, 6 and 12 months post-treatment.

[Haemophilus influenzae type b osteoarthritis. A report of 7 cases and a review of the literature].

Objective: The epidemiological and clinical characteristics, treatment and evolution of osteoarthritis by Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) are reviewed since there has been little published on this subject in our country.

Patients And Methods: The clinical histories of the 7 children with osteoarthritis due to Hib infection are reviewed. The diagnostic criteria included classical signs and symptoms of septic arthritis, radiological alterations compatible with joint infection and isolation of microorganisms in joint effusion and/or in the blood.

[Human immunodeficiency virus and resistance].

It has been demonstrated that following prolonged treatment with reverse transcriptase inhibitors, especially with nucleoside analogs, resistant viral strains appear that show mutations in the nucleotides of the gene that codifies reverse transcriptase. These mutations cause changes in amino acids, which gradually increases resistance. In this study we evaluated the applicability af the LiPA HIV-1 RT test in determining the presence of mutations in this gene that can lead to resistance to antiretroviral treatments.

[Acute epiglottitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b in children: presentation of 21 cases].

Background: The aim of this paper is to review the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) epiglottitis in children at a time when an efficient and safe vaccination is available.

Methods: The clinical histories of 21 children admitted to Children's Hospital La Fe (1971-1996) with a clinical diagnosis of epiglottitis and isolation of the microorganism in blood cultures (20 cases) and surface culture of the epiglotis (one case) are reviewed.

Results: The annual average was 4/100,000 children under 5 years of age.

[Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae type b in children: presentation of 24 cases].

Objective: Due to the higher incidence in invasive infections, the changes observed in the sensitivity of this microorganism during the last decade and the seriousness of pulmonary infections in children, the objective of this paper is to review the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) pneumonia, as well as to give an update of treatment.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four children diagnosed between 1973 and 1992 are reviewed using the following criteria: clinical manifestations of pneumonia, radiology and isolation of the microorganism.

Results: The annual average was 7.

Economic aspects of a general vaccination against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) via the experience of the Children's Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.

With the aim of studying whether a general vaccination against invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is economically profitable bearing in mind the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, its price and the global cost that this disease has in our area, a review is conducted of patients admitted due to invasive disease caused by Hib in the Children's Hospital La Fe, Valencia, born between 1984 and 1993. They total 100, 63 who have meningitis. In the 81 cases (56 with meningitis) born between 1984 and 1990 (years that can be regarded as "closed" since all the patients were younger than 5 years of age) the total cost has been calculated for hospitalization, care during the acute phase, care for the sequelae (6 severe and 7 mild) and death (5 cases).

Risk/benefit in the treatment of children with imipenem-cilastatin for meningitis caused by penicillin-resistant pneumococcus.

A new case of pneumococcal meningitis in a child successfully treated with imipenem-cilastatin after failure of standard antibiotics is presented. Seizures, as the major adverse effect, were easily treated and no sequelae were later observed. The difficulty in distinguishing between seizures due to meningitis and those due to imipenem is discussed.

[Delay in childhood tuberculosis detection as a negative factor in the anti-tuberculosis struggle].

Childhood morbidity due to tuberculosis infection in Spain is not diminishing at the expected rate in relation with available knowledge and facilities. An important factor is the delay in diagnosis, which evaluation constitutes the objective of this publication. Said delay is due to several causes, patient does not consult on time (mean value between onset of symptoms and consult is 34.

[Nutritional status in HIV infection in infancy].

The physiopathology of malnutrition among AIDS, ARC and HIV infected children was reviewed. One-hundred eight-three newborns were studied, 152 of which were born at "La Fe" Maternity Hospital. Of these patients, 29% were LBW and 28% preterm.