Risk-score based strategy to minimize antibiotic exposure in children with sickle cell disease and fever.

Severe bacterial infections (SBI) have become less frequent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the last decades. However, because of their potential risk of SBI, they usually receive empirical therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics when they develop fever and are hospitalized in many cases. We performed a prospective study including 79 SCD patients with fever [median age 4.

Interleukin 6 as a marker of severe bacterial infection in children with sickle cell disease and fever: a case-control study.

Background: Etiological diagnosis of fever in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is often challenging. The aim of this study was to analyze the pattern of inflammatory biomarkers in SCD febrile children and controls, in order to determine predictors of severe bacterial infection (SBI).

Methods: A prospective, case-control study was carried out during 3 years, including patients younger than 18 years with SCD and fever (cases) and asymptomatic steady-state SCD children (controls).

Effect of an intervention to improve the prescription of antifungals in pediatric hematology-oncology.

Background: The use of antifungals has expanded in pediatric hematology-oncology, and the need to develop pediatric-based surveillance and education activities is becoming crucial. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary protocol on the adequacy of antifungal prescription in a pediatric hematology-oncology unit and to assess the effect of an educational intervention to improve the knowledge of prescribing pediatricians over time.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team established a protocol for the management of invasive fungal disease (IFD).

Low-risk factors for severe bacterial infection and acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease.

Introduction: The rate of bacterial infections in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has decreased in recent years, mainly due to penicillin prophylaxis and vaccination.

Objectives: To determine the rate of severe bacterial infection (SBI) in a cohort of children with SCD and to describe low-risk factors for confirmed SBI (CSBI) and acute chest syndrome (ACS).

Methods: This 11-year retrospective cohort study included children with febrile SCD admitted to a reference hospital in Spain.

Characteristics and Disease Course in a Cohort of Children With PFAPA Syndrome in the Community of Madrid, Spain.

Introduction: PFAPA syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease whose diagnosis is mainly clinical. Several treatments have been proposed; among them, tonsillectomy could be an effective one.

Material And Methods: Retrospective multicenter study.

[Immunisation schedule of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics: 2017 recommendations].

The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics (CAV- AEP) annually publishes the immunisation schedule which, in our opinion, is considered optimal for children resident in Spain, taking into account the evidence available on current vaccines. Pneumococcal and varicella immunisation in early childhood is already included in all funded vaccines present in the regional immunisation programmes. Furthermore, this committee establishes recommendations on vaccines not included in official calendars (non-funded immunisations), such as rotavirus, meningococcal B, and meningococcal ACWY.