Pandemic A/H1N1v influenza 2009 in hospitalized children: a multicenter Belgian survey.

Background: During the 2009 influenza A/H1N1v pandemic, children were identified as a specific "at risk" group. We conducted a multicentric study to describe pattern of influenza A/H1N1v infection among hospitalized children in Brussels, Belgium.

Methods: From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers.

Sildenafil therapy for neonatal and childhood pulmonary hypertensive vascular disease.

Objectives: We hypothesised that sildenafil would improve hemodynamics in children with pulmonary hypertension and attenuate rebound pulmonary hypertension after inhaled nitric oxide withdrawal.

Patients And Methods: We undertook an open-label, single-drug study of sildenafil in patients under 5 years of age with either symptomatic or rebound pulmonary hypertension following inhaled nitric oxide withdrawal.

Results: We recruited 25 patients (median age 180 days, 10-1790) to receive sildenafil.

Meningitis with subdural empyema due to non-typhoid Salmonella in a 9-month-old girl.

We report a case of a 9-month-old baby admitted to the hospital because of low-grade fever, focal seizures in a context of watery diarrhea for 14 days' duration. The patient workup revealed a mild neutrophilic pleocytosis on cerebrospinal fluid (46 cells/microl), a positive stool culture for Salmonella pomona sensitive to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, and a subdural empyema (SDE) on the cerebral MRI. The child received an intravenous third-generation cephalosporin for 4 weeks which resulted in cure.

Determinants of red blood cell transfusions in a pediatric critical care unit: a prospective, descriptive epidemiological study.

Objective: To determine the incidence and to characterize the determinants of red blood cell transfusions in critically ill children.

Design: Prospective, descriptive epidemiologic study.

Setting: A single-center, multidisciplinary, tertiary care level, university-affiliated, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).