[Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in a 3-year-old girl with no associated pathology involving a tumour]. / Encefalitis antirreceptor de NMDA en una nina de 3 anos sin patologia tumoral asociada.

INTRODUCTION: Encephalitis due to NMDA receptors antibodies is a relatively common condition but it was under diagnosed until recently. It courses predictably and similarly in adults and children, although there are some differences, still less its association with tumours. CASE REPORT: A 3 years-old girl who was admitted to our hospital with symptoms compatible with acute encephalitis, so we started treatment with acyclovir. During admission she was alterning periods of poor response to stimuli with periods of agitation, and progressed to complete silence, adding sleep problems. She suffered epileptic seizures, dystonic movements and autonomic disturbances. Cranial MRI showed mild cortical atrophy and EEG generalized slowing of base tracing. Repeated samples of cerebral spinal fluid were normal from cytological and biochemical point of view. In view of the torpid evolution she began methylprednisolone therapy and later inmunoglobulins with no improvement. Upon confirmation of the positivity for NMDA receptors antibodies in cerebral spinal fluid and serum, cyclophosphamide was administered, with gradual improvement of symptoms until full recovery. After ten months of follow-up without treatment she has not presented relapses and has ruled out the presence of tumours. CONCLUSIONS. It is important to recognize encephalitis with behavioural changes and abnormal movements, because early diagnosis and the beginning of appropriate therapy could improve the prognosis.

[Study of the introduction of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) in pediatrics and modification of the teaching methodology]. / Estudio sobre la introducción del Sistema de Transferencia de Créditos Europeo en Pediatría y modificaciones de la metodología docente.

INTRODUCTION: Spanish medical faculties have initiated the new curriculum reform process within the framework of the European Higher Education Area and are required to incorporate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to new syllabi before 2010. OBJECTIVES: To test the introduction of the ECTS in pediatrics and modify the teaching methodology. STUDY DESIGN: The theoretical and practical programs were adapted; academic objectives and a student evaluation system were established. Students were surveyed on starting the second term of the 2004-05 academic year before the theory examination and again on terminating the academic year: a 5-point Likert-type scale was used for responses. Priorities for generic and specific competencies selected by students were compared with those selected by the National Deans Conference (NDC). The results were analyzed using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Fifteen credits became 11 ECTS, with 297 student working hours. The theory program was reduced from 80 to 52 lessons. The students prepared 14 tutor-supervised case presentations. The teaching staff considered that learning of theory was similar to previous years (66 %) and that practical learning improved (73.3 %). The students thought the program should continue (73.2 %) but 98.8 % considered the workload excessive. The students believed that their practical training and their ability to prepare and make case presentations significantly improved during the semester. Academic performance was significantly higher than that in students of the previous year. Students agreed with NDC priorities for 9/9 general and 4/17 specific competencies. Estimation of workload by students was significantly higher than that by staff, and 73.3 % of the students believed that workload should be reduced and the examination system improved. CONCLUSIONS: Introducing the ECTS improved academic performance, practical training, and self-directed learning. The project was satisfactory for staff and students. Student workload was underestimated.

Estudio sobre la introducción del Sistema de Transferencia de Créditos Europeo en Pediatría y modificaciones de la metodología docente / Study of the introduction of the european credit transfer system (ECTS) in pediatrics and modification of the teaching methodology

Introducción Las Facultades Médicas españolas han comenzado el nuevo proceso de reforma curricular en el marco del proceso de implantación del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y deben incorporar el Sistema de Transferencia de Créditos Europeo (ECTS) a los nuevos planes del estudio antes de 2010. Objetivos El objetivo del trabajo fue experimentar la introducción de los créditos ECTS en la asignatura de Pediatría y modificar la metodología docente. Diseño del estudio Adaptación del programa teórico y práctico, estableciendo unos objetivos docentes y un sistema de evaluación. Se realizaron encuestas a los alumnos al inicio del segundo cuatrimestre del curso 2004-2005, antes de realizar el examen teórico de la asignatura y al finalizar el curso académico, utilizando para las respuestas una escala de tipo Likert con 5 grados. Se comparó la priorización de las competencias genéricas y específicas de los alumnos con la de los profesionales médicos en la encuesta de la Conferencia Nacional de Decanos (CND). Para el análisis de los resultados se aplicaron pruebas no paramétricas. Resultados Los 15 créditos actuales se transformaron en 11 ECTS, con 297 h de trabajo para los alumnos. Se redujo el programa teórico de 80 a 52 lecciones. Los alumnos prepararon y presentaron 14 casos clínicos, bajo la supervisión de sus tutores. Los profesores consideraron que el aprendizaje teórico había sido similar al de cursos anteriores (66,6 %) y había sido mejor el práctico (73,3 %). Los alumnos opinaron que el proyecto debía continuar (73,2 %), pero el 98,8 % consideraron que la carga de trabajo había sido excesiva. Los alumnos apreciaron de forma estadísticamente significativa que mejoró la docencia práctica y su capacidad para preparar y presentar casos clínicos. El rendimiento académico de los alumnos fue significativamente mejor que el de los alumnos del curso anterior. Los estudiantes estuvieron de acuerdo con la prioridad de competencias de la CND para 9/9 de las generales y 4/17 de las específicas. La estimación de horas de trabajo de los alumnos fue mayor por los alumnos que por los profesores. El 73,3 % de los alumnos contestaron que el proyecto debía mejorarse, reduciendo la carga de trabajo de los alumnos y mejorando el sistema de evaluación. Conclusiones La introducción de los ECTS mejoró el rendimiento académico, la formación práctica y el autoaprendizaje de los alumnos. La experiencia fue satisfactoria para profesores y alumnos. La estimación de la carga de trabajo de los alumnos fue subestimada

Introduction Spanish medical faculties have initiated the new curriculum reform process within the framework of the European Higher Education Area and are required to incorporate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to new syllabi before 2010. Objectives To test the introduction of the ECTS in pediatrics and modify the teaching methodology. Study design The theoretical and practical programs were adapted; academic objectives and a student evaluation system were established. Students were surveyed on starting the second term of the 2004-05 academic year before the theory examination and again on terminating the academic year: a 5-point Likert-type scale was used for responses. Priorities for generic and specific competencies selected by students were compared with those selected by the National Deans Conference (NDC). The results were analyzed using non-parametric tests. Results Fifteen credits became 11 ECTS, with 297 student working hours. The theory program was reduced from 80 to 52 lessons. The students prepared 14 tutor-supervised case presentations. The teaching staff considered that learning of theory was similar to previous years (66 %) and that practical learning improved (73.3 %). The students thought the program should continue (73.2 %) but 98.8 % considered the workload excessive. The students believed that their practical training and their ability to prepare and make case presentations significantly improved during the semester. Academic performance was significantly higher than that in students of the previous year. Students agreed with NDC priorities for 9/9 general and 4/17 specific competencies. Estimation of workload by students was significantly higher than that by staff, and 73.3 % of the students believed that workload should be reduced and the examination system improved. Conclusions Introducing the ECTS improved academic performance, practical training, and self-directed learning. The project was satisfactory for staff and students. Student workload was underestimated

Ibuprofeno frente a indometacina en el tratamiento del ductus arterioso persistente (DAP) / A comparison of ibuprofen and indomethacin in patent ductus arteiiosus (PDA)

El conducto (ductus) arterioso persistente (DAP) es una enfermedad frecuente en el prematuro. La indometacina intravenosa es el tratamiento estándar para su cierre, pero recientemente se ha empezado a utilizar el ibuprofeno intravenoso como alternativa o, incluso, como fármaco de primera elección, ya que algunas revisiones de evidencia Ahan mostrado igual eficacia, aunque menos oliguria y mayor porcentaje de enfermedad pulmonar crónica (EPC). Sin embargo, a pesar del cambio en la prescripción, también existe la apreciación clínica de mayor porcentaje de fracasos en los recién nacidos tratados con ibuprofeno. Este estudio pretende comparar ibuprofeno frente a indometacina en el cierre del DAP para evaluar su efectividad y seguridad. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo transversal que abarcó el período comprendido desde el 01/01/2000 al 31/12/2004. Se evaluaron los casos diagnosticados de DAP en prematuros de bajo peso al nacer. Resultados: los resultados muestran que en el 62% de los casos donde se utilizó un cierre farmacológico se hizo con indometacina (en un período de 3 años) frente al 38% con ibuprofeno (en un período de 2 años). Los parámetros de eficacia muestran que el número de dosis necesaria para el cierre del DAP se duplica para el ibuprofeno, así como la necesidad de un nuevo ciclo de tratamiento. El porcentaje de reapertura de DAP fue de un 45,6% frente al 11,1% y el número de casos donde no se cerró el DAP también fue mayor para el ibuprofeno (9% frente al 0%). Otros parámetros como necesidad de cierre quirúrgico y porcentaje de fracaso a la semana de la primera dosis fueron similares para los dos fármacos. En cuanto a la seguridad los parámetros de EPC y mortalidad del recién nacido se muestran desfavorables para el ibuprofeno y en ninguno de los recién nacidos tratados se produjo oliguria. Conclusión: el ibuprofeno presenta algunos parámetros de eficacia desfavorables frente a indometacina, lo que incrementa su coste. En cuanto a la seguridad nuestros datos concuerdan con revisiones publicadas, aunque no se produjo oliguria con ninguno de los fármacos

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a frequent disease in the premature baby. Intravenous Indomethacin is the standard treatment used to close the duct but recently intravenous ibuprofen has been prescribed as an alternative or even a firstchoice drug because recent type Aevidence has shown it to be equally effective although with less oliguria and a large percentage of chronic pulmonary disease( CPD). However, with this change of prescription a higher percentage of failures in new-born children treated with Ibuprofen has been perceived. This study attempts to compare Ibuprofen with Indomethacin and to assess their safety and effectiveness in treating PDA. Material and methods: a cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out that included the period 01/01/2000 to 31/12/2004. The cases of PDA diagnosed in premature babies with low birth weight were evaluated. Results: the results show that in those cases where the duct was closed by pharmacological means 62% were treated with indomethacin (over a three year period) and 38% with ibuprofen (over a two year period). The parameters of effectiveness show that the number of doses needed to close the duct is double for Ibuprofen and a new cycle of treatment is required. The percentage of cases where the duct reopened was 45% with ibuprofen as opposed to 11% with indomethacin and the number of cases where the PDA failed to close was also greater with Ibuprofen (9% compared to 0%). Other parameters such as the need to close the PDA surgically and the percentage of failures a week after the first close were similar for both drugs. As regards safety the parameters of CPD and the mortality of the new-born babies were unfavourable for Ibuprofen although there was no evidence of oliguria in any of the children treated. Conclusions: ibuprofen, unlike Indomethacin, displays certain unfavourable parameters regarding its effectiveness and is also more costly. As far as safety is concerned our data agree with other published studies although oliguria did not take place with either of the drugs

Traqueobronquitis necrotizante: descripción de dos casos / Necrotizing tracheobronchitis: a report of two cases

Se presentan dos niños diagnosticados de traqueobronquitis necrotizante. En ambos casos la enfermedad constituye una complicación grave de la ventilación mecánica y la presentación clínica se caracteriza por hipercapnia, pérdida de movimientos torácicos y episodios de obstrucción grave de la vía aérea que producen la muerte. La valoración histológica post mortem manifiesta una necrosis característica de la mucosa traqueal, compatible con el diagnóstico de traqueobronquitis necrotizante. Es necesario el reconocimiento de esta complicación yatrogénica en un niño ventilado cuando las condiciones respiratorias empeoran de forma drástica (AU)

[Ataxia-telangiectasis (author's transl)]. / Ataxia-telangiectasia.

A case of ataxia-telangiectasis is reported, the pattern of cellulo-humoral immunity is altered with frequent infection of the respiratory tract. Emphasis is made on the new approach to brain alterations by means of cerebral angiogammagraphy and sequential gammagraphy.

[Absence of hypoplasia of fingernails and toenails and terminal phalanges of hands and feet (author's transl)]. / Síndrome de ausencia de falanges distales y uñas asociada con sordera.

A case study of a female patient in which most of the fingernails and toenails and terminal phalanges of hands and feed were absent, together with retarded psychomotor development, minor mental retardation and seizures due to simple cerebral cyst, with bilateral deafness is presented. This association, similar to Coffin-Siris syndrome, is not found in the literature.