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| AROUND THE WORLD | |
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| Americas on target to eliminate rubella by 2010 | July 2004: Mass vaccination campaigns, a strategy that includes children and adults, and increased surveillance will spell the end of rubella and CRS. |
| 50 million pregnant women in danger of malaria; vaccine sorely needed | July 2004: Between 100,000 and 400,000 African infants die each year because of low birth weight caused by malaria during pregnancy. |
| Scientists have 14 challenges to conquer | January 2004: The science community has 14 medical challenges to focus on as part of the Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative. |
| ASTHMA, ALLERGY & IMMUNOLOGY | |
|---|---|
| Asthma common, but under-diagnosed; yet, doctors are better at management | February 2004: CDC reports hospitalizations due to asthma are down, but it remains a common reason for pediatric visits. |
| FDA gives expanded indication to Advair | May 2004: Drug improved FEV1 in patients 4 to 11 years old. |
| Get a food allergy management plan in place now, before the school year | May 2004: Managing food allergies is a practice in good communication between physicians, parents and patients. |
| BREAKING NEWS & COMMENTARY | |
|---|---|
| AAP elects new leader for 2005 | September 2004: Eileen Ouellette, MD, JD, will take office as the 2005-2006 president-elect at the October 2004 AAP National Conference and Exhibition in San Francisco. |
| CDC launching new autism campaign in February | December 2004: “Learn the Signs. Act Early” hopes to raise awareness of the importance of early intervention for children with developmental disorders. |
| CDC suspends third and fourth PCV7 doses | April 2004: The CDC expects delays with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to last at least into the summer. |
| Enhanced urinalysis boasts optimal rates for finding UTI | February 2004: Enhanced urinalysis reveals twice as much information than standard urinalysis. |
| Imported measles reported in Washington state | May 2004: The CDC has recommended temporary suspension of adoptions from Chinese orphanage in response to a measles outbreak. |
| Incoming AAP President Johnston outlines goals for the coming year | January 2004: In a special Q&A, Infectious Diseases in Children spoke with Carden Johnston, MD, about the coming year and challenges facing pediatricians. |
| Influenza mortality in children under investigation | February 2004: The CDC is continuing to investigate whether influenza killed a disproportionate number of children this year. |
| IOM finds no evidence linking MMR vaccine and thimerosal to autism | June 2004: Committee says current recommendations for giving MMR vaccine or thimerosal-containing vaccines OK. |
| Kingella an increasing cause of skeletal infections | May 2004: The presence of K. kingae is difficult to detect without immediate clinical suspicion. |
| Mad cow disease reported in United States | February 2004: Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture say the cow was imported from Canada. |
| MRSA shown to have inducible resistance to clindamycin | January 2004: Researchers find that inducible clindamycin resistance is common in MRSA isolates; resistance also found in MSSA isolates. |
| No link between MMR and autism, UK study finds | November 2004: MMR vaccine coverage in England has declined from 92% to 82%, amid concerns of a possible link between the vaccine and disease. |
| OME guideline recommends careful diagnosis | June 2004: Guideline applies to children 2 months through 12 years old, with or without developmental disabilities or underlying conditions that predispose to OME. |
| Pediatric data show no effect of echinacea on URIs in children | January 2004: Echinacea, though popular, remains controversial because of the paucity of objective data. |
| Price of FluMist slashed, partnership announced | July 2004: MedImmune selects Henry Schein as exclusive distributor for the upcoming flu season. |
| Revised guidelines for managing jaundice in neonates released | August 2004: Excessive hyperbilirubinemia can lead to permanent brain damage. |
| Third dose of PCV7 reinstated after six months of latest shortage | August 2004: Health care groups also recommend a catch-up for those children who did not yet receive the third dose due to the two-dose schedule recommended in February. |
| Variant CJD waning, but second wave from transfusions possible | December 2004: Blood banks wrestle with balancing risk and safety with public demand and cost. |
| Wakefield’s co-authors retract support for MMR-autism link | April 2004: Some anti-vaccine lobbyists claim the 1998 paper “proved” a link between MMR vaccine and autism. |
| DERMATOLOGY | |
|---|---|
| MRSA infections on a sharp incline among the healthy | November 2004: Boils, pneumonia and occasionally necrotizing fasciitis caused by MRSA found to be increasing among healthy people. |
| Soft-tissue CA-MRSA infections are on the rise | March 2004: Resistance across antibiotic classes could complicate and hinder treatment of bacterial skin infections. |
| Suffocating head-lice lotion as effective as conventional drugs | October 2004: As lice develop resistance, new methods are needed to destroy them. |
| Take a tiered approach to treating AD | April 2004: Use emollients and skin hydration as first-line therapy, reserving anti-inflammatories to treat flare-ups. |
| EMERGING DISEASES | |
|---|---|
| Additional IV gamma globulin should be given early in KD | October 2004: IV gamma globulin administered early may prevent coronary artery damage in initial nonresponders. |
| Avian influenza death count in Asia rises to 32 | November 2004: Health officials are investigating the potential first human-to-human transmission of the virus within a four-case family cluster. |
| Community-acquired MRSA infections in children on the rise in some areas | December 2004: Increasing numbers of children are having CA-MRSA recurrences. |
| A guide to evaluating babies born to mothers with West Nile virus | May 2004: If WNV in illness is diagnosed during pregnancy, the CDC recommends a detailed ultrasound examination of the fetus to evaluate for structural abnormalities. |
| Kawasaki disease not diagnosed in extremes of age range | December 2004: American Heart Association revises guidelines for diagnosing, managing and caring for children with KD. |
| Planning for terrorism and disasters: Where are your children? | October 2004: The medical and emotional concerns of children during a terrorist attack differ from those of adults. |
| Taking a stand against bad bugs is difficult with no drugs | December 2004: The IDSA introduced a plan this year that would stimulate antibiotic development and tackle emerging, drug-resistant bacteria. |
| GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Chance of complications with E. coli O157:H7 infections is high | April 2004: While diarrhea is common in children, bloody diarrhea is not and is a sign of a significant problem. |
| Clean, separate, cook and chill for safer food | May 2004: The USDA encourages consumers to “Fight Bac!” – fight bacteria, that is. |
| Enteral rehydration as effective as, if not better than, IV method | June 2004: Many emergency department physicians still use IV rehydration therapy, despite many benefits to the oral route. |
| Maternal antibody diminishes infant response to hepatitis A vaccine | June 2004: According to a recent study, infants with pre-existing maternal antibodies had lower antibody concentrations at 15 months than did those without. |
| HIV/AIDS & STDs | |
|---|---|
| Africa’s orphan crisis getting worse from HIV/AIDS | January 2004: UNICEF report calls for immediate help for families supporting a growing orphan population. |
| Federal plan to label condoms comes under fire | November 2004: Youth may get mixed messages from certain labels on condoms, according to speaker at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting. |
| Nevirapine shows resistance but helps prevent mother-to-child transmission | March 2004: Research shows that nevirapine still brings mother-to-child HIV transmission rates down but may cause maternal resistance problems later. |
| New guidelines to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission released | August 2004: WHO reassesses 2000 guidelines on treatment of women living with HIV to prevent transmission. |
| Perinatal HIV transmission is low but still a concern | February 2004: At an urban hospital, only nine of 131 infants born over a two-year period were HIV positive. |
| KIDNEY & UTIs | |
|---|---|
| Ciprofloxacin approved for complicated UTI in children | July 2004: Another fluoroquinolone was scheduled to appear before the FDA for pediatric use but was pulled after FDA officials requested a “risk management plan.” |
| NEONATOLOGY | |
|---|---|
| VLBW infants require lumbar punctures if sepsis is suspected | July 2004: Neonatal meningitis may be underdiagnosed due to a reluctance to tap NICU infants. |
| NEWS OF GENERAL PEDIATRICS | |
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| AAP to unveil new jaundice guidelines | June 2004: The guidelines will stress protocols for identification of newborns with hyperbilirubinemia. |
| Consoling crying infants: parents need clear course of action | April 2004: An inconsolable infant causes many emotions — none of them good — in parents. |
| The day care dilemma: avoiding infections in a room full of children | September 2004: When evaluating day care options, inquire about the training of the staff and examine the layout of the facility. |
| Expanded indication approved for ADHD therapy | May 2004 |
| Fever phobia hot topic for pediatrics | March 2004: When parents are overheated over temperatures, pediatricians need to address fever myths. |
| Many juveniles in detention await mental health treatment | August 2004: Youths “warehoused” due to lack of adequate mental health facilities in certain areas. |
| No-nit policies subject of debate | September 2004: Another school year begins and so do questions about head lice and school policies for children with nits. |
| NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Fungal prophylaxis successfully prevents infections in the NICU | January 2004: Both daily and twice-weekly dosing prevent fungal colonization. |
| RESIDENT ROUNDS | |
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| Fever and rash hallmarks of Rocky Mountain spotted fever | November 2004: Early antimicrobial therapy should be initiated whenever RMSF is suspected. |
| Hepatitis A virus infection and foodborne diseases | June 2004: The goal of Resident Rounds is to share with our readers the wealth of clinical experience gained every month by pediatric residents and infectious disease fellows. |
| RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Antihistamines could prolong the duration of middle ear effusion | February 2004: In clinical study, antihistamines and corticosteroids coupled with antibiotics did not prove efficacious in the treatment of AOM. |
| Backup culture for GABHS backed up by study | October 2004 |
| Guideline for AOM: controversy where there shouldn’t be? | September 2004: Most of the guidelines are not mandates – they are recommendations or options. |
| Haemophilus influenzae a top causative agent for AOM | November 2004: As the incidence of Streptococcus pneumoniae serving as the primary causative agent for acute otitis media dropped, Haemophilus influenzae took over. |
| Modest results in treating cold symptoms, but still no cure | January 2004: Nothing shortens the length of a cold, but some products provide short-term symptomatic relief. |
| New guidelines outline AOM management options | April 2004: Guidelines urge observation of patients without severe symptoms or uncertain diagnosis. |
| SPECIAL REPORT: INFLUENZA — SEASON OF CHANGE | |
|---|---|
| Influenza continues steady march across U.S. | January 2004: Influenza activity is highest in the western United States, and the CDC is expecting even more cases as the season progresses. |
| THERAPEUTICS | |
|---|---|
| FDA approves orlistat for obese adolescents | March 2004 |
| VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES | |
|---|---|
| ACIP makes preliminary recommendations for MCV4 | November 2004: Committee split on the routine recommendation for 11- and 12-year-olds. |
| ACIP working group reviews varicella vaccine schedule | August 2004: ACIP working group reviews transmissibility of breakthrough varicella cases and possible two-dose regimen of the vaccine. |
| Breakthrough varicella may be less intense depending on number of lesions | October 2004: Household contact study finds that cases in vaccinated children are half as contagious as cases in unvaccinated. |
| Flu vaccine shortage highlights need for more vaccine manufacturers | November 2004: The ongoing vaccine shortage has cast a spotlight on structural flaws of the troubled vaccine industry. |
| Flu vaccine shortage may draw attention to waning industry | December 2004: The highly publicized influenza vaccine shortage stole the vaccine spotlight this year, but could also bring attention to deeper problems in the industry. |
| Fourth dose of PCV7 is reinstated; shortage over | October 2004: The CDC said that supply of the vaccine is now sufficient to meet the nation’s demand for the routine childhood vaccine against pneumococcal disease. |
| Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations to reflect implementation challenges | December 2004: First overhaul of the ACIP’s recommendations since 1991 could be published by June 2005. |
| Immunization rates on the rise in U.S. | September 2004: Every Child by Two and Trust for America’s Health officials said while immunization rates are on the rise, “20% of preschool children remain at increased risk.” |
| Influenza vaccine added to childhood schedule | June 2004: The infant recommendation builds on CDC efforts to expand influenza vaccination. |
| Largest outbreak of measles since 1999 reported in Alabama | March 2004: The outbreak is a reminder to physicians to keep measles in the differential diagnosis for fever and rash in infants who have traveled overseas. |
| Mexican border area a hotspot for disease | August 2004: People living in areas bordering Mexico face barriers to immunization, including a poor health infrastructure. |
| Mumps, rubella case rates are at record lows | August 2004: Most of these cases occur in unvaccinated people. |
| New vaccine technologies getting a test run | April 2004: New influenza technologies are being given a test run in developing seed lots for an avian influenza vaccine. |
| NVAC panel urges action to fix a weak national vaccine supply | February 2004: The NVAC panel recommendations seek to strengthen the now fragile vaccine supply chain. |
| Outgoing NIP director reflects on immunization success story | March 2004: In a recent interview, Infectious Diseases in Children spoke with Walter A. Orenstein, MD, about the NIP and his plans ahead. |
| PCV7 vaccination reducing racial disparities | January 2004: A new study found that disease burden has begun to equalize among black and white children. |
| Promising vaccines in development, but delivery system is fragile | December 2004: Progress is fragile, expert says, but there are promising vaccines on the horizon that could come to fruition in 2005. |
| Research on rotavirus vaccines continues as need remains pressing | March 2004: The future of rotavirus vaccines includes both bovine-human reassortants and attenuated human rotavirus strains. |
| 2003-04 flu vaccine may not prevent ILI | February 2004 |
| Vaccine inventory needed in addition to shortage-time recommendations | July 2004: Review of interim ACIP vaccination recommendations found they differed in scope and complexity. |
| What is the next step for HepA vaccine? | September 2004: The ACIP may consider updating hepatitis A vaccination policy. |
| When it comes to vaccines vs. new drugs, vaccine development loses | July 2004: Lawsuits from vaccines in the past haunt the present and have stunted vaccine development. |
| Whooping cough is making a whopping comeback in the U.S. | September 2004: APIC warns pertussis is on the rise among teenagers; FDA is considering two different booster vaccines for adolescents and adults. |
| Will FluMist get a second shot to succeed? | April 2004: MedImmune and Wyeth rethinking their public campaign for FluMist after a season of disappointing sales. |
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