Efficacy and safety of cefpodoxime in the treatment of acute otitis media in children

Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a community-acquired respiratory tract infection in childhood frequently encountered by primary-care physicians and can cause a significant morbidity. Increasing bacterial resistance has led to concern about the current options for empirical antibiotic treatment and has prompted a search for effective treatments. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of cefpodoxime proxetil in the treatment of children with acute otitis media. Patients and methods: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted on 1380 children aged from 1 to 13 years with AOM who were prescribed a 5–10 day course of cefpodoxime proxetil (8 mg/kg/day). Patients were followed-up after 7–14 days from baseline visit. Efficacy was assessed by the percentage of patients with clinical cure, improvement or failure at the follow-up visit. Safety was evaluated by recording the occurrence and severity of any adverse events and by the physicians’ and patients’ assessment of overall tolerability. Results: Clinically, 82.5% of patients were cured, 16.4% improved and there was failure of therapy in 1.1% of the patients. The overall combined cure and improvement rate of all related signs and symptoms was 98.9%. Adverse events, diarrhea and skin rash, were reported by only 16 patients (1.2%). The overall tolerability according to the physicians’ and patients’ assessment was excellent in 93.9% and 88.9%, respectively. Compliance was attained in 99.5% of patients. Conclusion: Cefpodoxime proxetil is an effective, safe, well-tolerated antimicrobial agent for treatment of acute otitis media in children. It can be considered as an excellent choice for the empirical treatment of bacterial AOM

Fatal acute myocarditis and fulminant hepatic failure in an infant with pandemic human influenza A, H1N1 (2009) virus infection

We report the clinical presentation of a 10 month-old infant who succumbed with acute myocarditis and fulminant hepatic failure associated with a virologically confirmed human influenza A, H1N1 (2009) virus infection. To date, this is the first pediatric patient presenting with this fatal combination of complications during the current H1N1 pandemic. Therefore, we recommend meticulous assessment and follow up of the cardiac status, liver enzymes and coagulation profile in all pediatric patients with severe H1N1 influenza infection

Assessment of Healthcare Service Provision to Pediatric Patients With Chronic Diseases During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic’s impact on essential health services is of great concern. The most important step in managing any patient with chronic disease is compliance with follow-up visits. Aim: This study aims to assess healthcare services during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown regarding chronic patient visits and care, as well as to assess patient satisfaction with the provision of healthcare services during the lockdown period. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed at Cairo University Specialized Children Hospital, Egypt, through an interview questionnaire with the caregivers of chronic patients about the health care services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic from December 2020 to July 2021. Results:  More than 60% were satisfied with the healthcare service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Satisfaction toward medical sub-specialties was significantly higher than that of surgical ones. Patients who attended for follow-up markedly decreased during the lockdown.   Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare service provision was negatively affected. Follow-up of chronic patients and continued medical care were challenging points