Retrospective case-control study of diffusely adhering Escherichia coli and clinical features in children with diarrhea.

A retrospective case-control study with a small population group revealed that, among clinical signs, vomiting but not diarrhea was significantly associated with the presence of diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (DAEC) in children suffering from gastroenteritidis (P < 0.05). Of the children carrying DAEC strains, those who were F1845 DNA probe positive had a significantly longer hospital stay than those who were F1845 DNA probe negative. We believe that the heterogeneity of DAEC strains is responsible for the discrepant results concerning their involvement in disease and that only some of these strains are really pathogenic for children.

[Discovery, in neonatal screening, of 2 families carrying a syndrome of generalized resistance to thyroid hormones]. / Découverte, à partir du dépistage néonatal, de deux familles porteuses du syndrome de résistance généralisée aux hormones thyroïdiennes.

The syndrome of generalized resistance to thyroid hormones is being increasingly diagnosed, albeit often belatedly. In the two families described herein the diagnosis was established when moderately elevated thyrotropin levels were found upon neonatal screening of a family member. The family studies identified other affected members with a pattern indicating autosomal dominant inheritance. Clinical and laboratory findings in the neonates were consistent with normal thyroid function and no treatment was given. In one neonate, fibroblast nuclear receptor studies failed to detect decreased affinity for triiodothyronine, a finding reported in most previously published cases; the mutation in this patient was different from the one described in 1989 by Sakurai et al., consistent with the known genetic heterogeneity of this syndrome. It has been suggested recently that treatment of affected neonates with large doses of thyroid hormones is safe and effective in ensuring normal growth. The neurodevelopmental effects of this treatment are unknown. Early treatment is possible when the syndrome is detected neonatally. We therefore advocate routine T4 assays in neonates with moderately elevated TSH levels.

[Follicular bronchiolitis: a pediatric case report]. / Bronchiolite folliculaire: une observation pédiatrique.

A case of bronchiolitis of insidious evolution appearing in an unweened infant aged six months is reported. Initially an acute episode of bronchial obstruction was followed by respiratory failure with failure to thrive. The total inefficacy of conventional treatment (corticosteroids, nebulised and oral bronchodilators) led to assisted ventilation for three weeks, four months after the onset of symptoms. All investigations aimed at achieving a diagnosis were negative and this led to an open lung biopsy. This showed characteristic lesions of bronchiolitis and follicular bronchitis without other parenchymatous disease. With continuous antibiotics and physiotherapy the respiratory status improved, both clinically and radiologically. Amongst the explanations of the pathophysiology of follicular bronchitis they also discussed the existence of heterozygous delta F 508 in their observation to explain the chronicity of the problems. They stress the need to look for a mutation of delta F 508 in infants who present with unexplained obstructive bronchial pathology.