Safety of Antibiotics in Hospitalized Children in Romania: A Prospective Observational Study

Antibiotics are among the most prescribed drugs in pediatric inpatients and are frequently associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children. This study aimed to assess the frequency and type of ADRs related to the use of antibiotics in pediatric inpatients through a prospective observational study, conducted over 6 months, covering the winter and spring seasons when the incidence of infections peaks in Romania. ADRs were evaluated for causality, avoidability and severity. Among the 266 included children, 25 (9.4%) experienced 30 ADRs. ADR frequency tended to be higher in ≤2-year-olds (13 of 25, 52.0%) than in other age categories. Gastrointestinal and hematological ADRs were most frequently observed. Diarrhea was the most common ADR associated with antibiotics (8 of 30, 26.7%). Ceftriaxone (16 of 30, 53.3%), cefuroxime, ceftazidime and azithromycin (3 of 30, 10.0% each) were most commonly responsible for ADRs. After causality assessment, 2 (6.7%) ADRs were considered definite, 12 (40.0%) probable and 16 (53.3%) possible. One ADR was classified as definitely avoidable and one as possibly avoidable. Seven children required treatment for ADRs. Antibiotic treatment was discontinued in 4 children. Antibiotics frequently caused ADRs in ≤ 2-year-olds and were commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. Close monitoring of antibiotic-associated ADRs remains important in the pediatric population

Rare within rare. Necrotising scleritis and peripheral ulcerative keratitis: eye-threatening complications of relapsing polychondritis

© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2022Objectives: Relapsing polychondritis (RP) evolves with variable and intermittent involvement of cartilage and proteoglycan-rich structures. Ocular manifestations are present in up to two-thirds of RP patients. Necrotising scleritis (NS) and peripheral ulcerative keratitis (PUK) may be inaugural and may lead to eye perforation and vision loss. We aimed to review NS and PUK in RP, in order to characterise them, to identify successful treatment options and unmet needs. Methods: A systematic review of the currently available evidence in PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus was performed according to PRISMA, including observational studies, single case reports and case series of NS/PUK in RP. Study design, number of patients, age, gender, treatment and outcome, were extracted. Two RP patients also provided their opinion. Results: Five case reports and two case series were eligible for inclusion. We identified 10 RP patients with eye-threatening complications (NS and/or PUK), 9 adults (2 males, 7 females, aged 35-72, median age 57.6 years) and one paediatric patient (F, 11 years). Apart from glucocorticoids, cyclophosphamide was effective in 4 patients; infliximab, high-dose immunoglobulins, dapsone, or cyclosporine were also successfully employed in a case each. Surgical repair was reported in 2 cases. Conclusions: Ocular inflammation is often bilateral and recurring in RP; NS/PUK are rare complications. All patients who develop NS/PUK should be specifically questioned for RP signs and symptoms. Early institution of immunosuppressive therapies is mandatory. Increasing awareness, physicians' and patients' education and a multidisciplinary approach may help improve the prognosis of these serious complications of RP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio