F-18 FDG PET in infectious diseases in children.

Purpose: The aim is to report our observations regarding the role of F-18 FDG PET in children's infectious processes.

Material And Methods: A presentation is made of 3 neonatal infections unresponsive to treatment, 2 invasive infections in immunocompromised children, and 1 discitis in an immunocompetent child. PET or PET/CT was performed to address a specific question pertaining to the management of the diseases.

[Hyperechogenicity within the basal ganglia of neonates: incidence, etiology, and neurological outcome].

Ramifying hyperechogenicities within the basal ganglia were observed in two neonates followed for prematurity. The investigations demonstrated an asymptomatic cytomegalo-virus infection in both. The literature was reviewed about this association.

Proximal phocomelia and radial ray aplasia in fetal valproic syndrome.

We describe a child with multiple congenital anomalies born to a women treated with valproic acid (1000 mg/day) for post traumatic epilepsy. Defects included the typical dysmorphism of the "fetal valproic syndrome", bilateral radial ray aplasia, unilateral proximal phocomelia of the upper limb, kidney hypoplasia and brain atrophy. A direct teratogenic effect of valproic acid is suspected on an experimental basis, and validated by two previous reports of radial defects after valproic acid exposure.