Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in a very low birth weight preterm infant

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is an exfoliative dermatitis produced by the toxins of some strains of staphylococci, predominantly phage Group 2, strains 71 and 55. It has been reported mostly in children under 5 years of age with few cases only reported in very preterm infants. The disease can be life threatening in very low birth weight preterm babies. We are reporting one such case to emphasize the importance for clinicians to not only recognize the clinical manifestations of SSSS but also the need to closely monitor infants, especially VLBW infants with SSSS for bacterial sepsis and other complications

Clinical profile and neuroimaging of neonates with influenza encephalopathy

Background: Pediatric influenza is found primarily in children under 5 years of age, and it is very difficult to distinguish the illness caused by influenza, a virus infection based on the signs alone. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical profile and neuroimaging of neonates admitted with seizures followed by encephalopathy. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among neonates admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit, with neurological manifestations such as poor feeding, lethargy followed by seizures and poor sensorium in the 1st week of life. During the study period, 14 neonates were included with similar neurological manifestations. Results: Our study neonates had poor feeding and lethargy (57.1%) before the onset of seizures. The mean day of the onset of seizure was day 4, and the mean duration of encephalopathy lasted for 63 h. We could detect influenza A in cerebrospinal fluid-polymerase chain reaction only in two neonates and H1N1 influenza in one neonate, but all our study neonates had consistent findings on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain suggestive of viral infection probably influenza A as its circulation in the community is considered common. The mean day of discharge from the hospital was 11.5 days. At discharge, all neonates were on breastfeeds and had no focal neurological deficit. Conclusions: The possibility of influenza A-related encephalopathy should be considered as a differential diagnosis if a neonate presents with poor feeding, lethargy followed by seizures and encephalopathy in the 1st week of life and their brain MR

Infant and child feeding practices: a preliminary investigation

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.The objective of this preliminary investigation was to examine the feeding practices of infants and pre-school children in Adelaide, and thereby contribute to the development of appropriate preventive dental strategies. A stratified random sample of 160 two year old and three year old pre-school children in the Adelaide Statistical District was obtained. Information about feeding practices and use of comforters or ‘dummies’ was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire completed by parents of the selected children. Information was collected for the age periods of 0–3 months, 4–6 months, 7–12 months, 13–24 months and 25–36 months. Most of the children (81.8 per cent) were breast-fed at some stage. However the percentage of children being breast-fed decreased markedly across age periods, particularly to 13–24 months, when only 15.9 per cent of children were being breast-fed. Over half of the children had been bottle-fed with infant formula at some stage. The highest percentage of children being bottle-fed with infant formula occurred in the 4–6 months (42.6 per cent) closely followed by the 7–12 months age period (37.4 per cent). Nearly two-thirds of children were bottle-fed with cow's milk at some stage. The highest percentage of children being bottle-fed with cow's milk occurred in the 13–24 months age period (49.6 per cent). A quarter (24.5 per cent) of the children were put to bed at some stage with a bottle containing cariogenic fluids. The majority of children used a ‘dummy’ at some stage during both day-time and night-time. Parents are in need of advice on appropriate feeding patterns for infants and young children.Amjad H. Wyne,A. John Spencer and Fearnley S. Szuste

Early childhood caries in preschool children of Kosovo - a serious public health problem

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Even though it has been widely studied, early childhood caries (ECC) remains a serious public health problem, especially in countries where there is no national program of oral health assessment and no genuine primary oral health care, such as in Kosovo. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ECC and analyze caries risk factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The subjects were 1,008 preschool children, selected by stratified random cluster sampling, in the municipality of Prishtina, capital of Kosovo. Data were collected through clinical examination and interviews. Dmft data were recorded according to WHO criteria. Bacterial examination (CRT bacteria test) and plaque test of Greene-Vermillion were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean dmft of preschool children was found to be 5.8. The prevalence of ECC was 17.36%, with a mean dmft of 11 ± 3.6. Streptococcus mutans prevalence in ECC children was 98%. A significant correlation between dmft and S mutans counts (≥10⁵CFU/mL saliva) was demonstrated. A correlation was also found between daily sweets consumption and dmft in children with ECC (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Comparing the dmft of ECC children and duration of bottle feeding showed a statistical correlation (<it>P </it>< 0.001). The mean plaque test was 1.52. None of the examined children had ever used fluoride.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of ECC was high among preschool children in the municipality of Kosovo. We recommend increasing parents' knowledge of proper feeding habits and oral health practices, and increasing preschool children's accessibility to dental services.</p