[Infection due to Yersinia enterocolitica in healthy and chronically ill children (author's transl)].

A septicaemic course of infection due to Yersinia enterocolitica developed in three children, two Italian girls with thalassemia (serotype 03) and a previously healthy boy (serotype 09). There were marked gastrointestinal symptoms. The boy required two transfusions for acute haemolysis.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency: fulminant course in early infancy.

A severe course of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in two children with Pi ZZ genotype is demonstrated. Clinically both infants presented with signs indistinguishable from biliary atresia with acholic stools and a low I131-rose bengal excretion over 72 h. Rapid development of liver fibrosis documented by serial liver biopsies, indicated a bad prognosis.