Renal function in neonates with twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with or without fetoscopic laser surgery.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study is to investigate the short-term renal function in neonates with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), treated with fetoscopic laser surgery (laser group) or conservatively (non-laser group). Creatinine and urea levels and urine output were recorded in the first week after birth. Primary outcome was short-term renal dysfunction, defined as a creatinine level of >100 μmol/L during the first week postpartum.

Pharmacokinetics of rituximab in a pediatric patient with therapy-resistant nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Rituximab (RTX) has recently been introduced as a second-line therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children. Studies show that RTX given during the nephrotic state may be less effective than treatment during a non-nephrotic state, possibly due to loss of RTX in the urine.

Case-diagnosis/treatment: We describe a 10-year-old boy with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) treated with RTX during a phase of active non-selective proteinuria.

Clinical evaluation of viral acute respiratory tract infections in children presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary referral hospital in the Netherlands.

Background: The relative incidence and clinical impact of individual respiratory viruses remains unclear among children presenting to the hospital emergency department with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI).

Methods: During two winter periods, respiratory virus real-time multiplex PCR results were evaluated from children (< 18 years) presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary referral hospital with ARTI that had been sampled within 48 hours of hospital presentation. In an attempt to identify virus-specific distinguishing clinical features, single virus infections were correlated with presenting signs and symptoms, clinical findings and outcomes using multivariate logistic regression.

Perceived discomfort levels in healthy children participating in vaccine research.

When assessing the risks of a research protocol, review boards need to consider not only the possible harms but also the expected discomfort levels caused by the various study procedures. However, data on how children experience various study procedures are scarce. This study assessed perceived discomfort levels in 671 healthy children aged 0-2 years under-going vaccinations, venipunctures, and nasopharyngeal swab taking.