ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is an acute polyradiculoneuritis regarded as an uncommon clinical variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). MFS is characterized by the acute onset of the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, cereballar ataxia and areflexia. Atypical forms of MFS presenting as isolated ophthalmoplegia without ataxia have been rarely described, mostly in adults. PATIENTS: We present two cases of acute isolated bilateral ophthalmoplegia in childhood, both occurring shortly after Campylobacter jejuni enteritis. Serum analysis of anti-ganglioside antibodies revealed elevated levels of anti-GQ1b IgG and IgM. We observed in both children complete spontaneous resolution several weeks after onset. CONCLUSION: The cases of the two patients confirm the rare but possible occurrence of atypical MFS in young children a few weeks after gastrointestinal infection. Identification of high levels of anti-GQ1b antibodies in the serum may help confirm the diagnosis of MFS even when its clinical presentation is incomplete.
Subject(s)
Gangliosides/immunology , Miller Fisher Syndrome/complications , Miller Fisher Syndrome/diagnosis , Ophthalmoplegia/etiology , Acute Disease , Antibodies/blood , Campylobacter Infections/complications , Campylobacter jejuni , Child , Child, Preschool , Gastroenteritis/complications , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The treatment of complicated urinary tract infection in children is still a matter of debate. In our hospital, antimicrobial treatment is initiated intravenously, and the duration of this treatment is adapted according to the results of a Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate retrospectively the frequency and the importance of late renal sequelae when treating intravenously for 7 days those patients with an abnormal acute DMSA. METHODS: A review was conducted of the medical charts of all patients consecutively admitted between 2005 and 2008 with positive urine culture and clinical and biological evidence of complicated urinary tract infection (UTI). RESULTS: There were 144 patients (59 %) with abnormal early DMSA scintigraphy and 98 (41 %) with normal scintigraphy. The median duration of intravenous treatment was 7.0 days in the children with DMSA lesions and 5.0 days in those without lesions. Obvious renal sequelae were observed on late DMSA scintigraphy in 4 (6 %) out of the 65 patients with an abnormal early DMSA who came back for control scintigraphy. CONCLUSION: Sequelae of acute DMSA lesions observed during complicated UTI treated 7 days intravenously were infrequent. Whether the mode and duration of antimicrobial treatment might explain the low rate of sequelae remains to be demonstrated.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Kidney Diseases/etiology , Radiopharmaceuticals , Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid , Urinary Tract Infections/drug therapy , Acute Disease , Administration, Intravenous , Adolescent , Ampicillin/therapeutic use , Cefotaxime/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Kidney Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Kidney Diseases/prevention & control , Male , Penicillins/therapeutic use , Pyelonephritis/diagnostic imaging , Pyelonephritis/drug therapy , Pyelonephritis/etiology , Radionuclide Imaging , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Urinary Tract Infections/complications , Urinary Tract Infections/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the 2009 influenza A/H1N1v pandemic, children were identified as a specific "at risk" group. We conducted a multicentric study to describe pattern of influenza A/H1N1v infection among hospitalized children in Brussels, Belgium. METHODS: From July 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, we collected epidemiological and clinical data of all proven (positive H1N1v PCR) and probable (positive influenza A antigen or culture) pediatric cases of influenza A/H1N1v infections, hospitalized in four tertiary centers. RESULTS: During the epidemic period, an excess of 18% of pediatric outpatients and emergency department visits was registered. 215 children were hospitalized with proven/probable influenza A/H1N1v infection. Median age was 31 months. 47% had ≥ 1 comorbid conditions. Febrile respiratory illness was the most common presentation. 36% presented with initial gastrointestinal symptoms and 10% with neurological manifestations. 34% had pneumonia. Only 24% of the patients received oseltamivir but 57% received antibiotics. 10% of children were admitted to PICU, seven of whom with ARDS. Case fatality-rate was 5/215 (2%), concerning only children suffering from chronic neurological disorders. Children over 2 years of age showed a higher propensity to be admitted to PICU (16% vs 1%, p = 0.002) and a higher mortality rate (4% vs 0%, p = 0.06). Infants less than 3 months old showed a milder course of infection, with few respiratory and neurological complications. CONCLUSION: Although influenza A/H1N1v infections were generally self-limited, pediatric burden of disease was significant. Compared to other countries experiencing different health care systems, our Belgian cohort was younger and received less frequently antiviral therapy; disease course and mortality were however similar.
