Antibiotic Stewardship and Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Children and Adolescents in the Emergency Department of a Community Hospital.

A retrospective, cross-sectional study of children with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) 3 months to 18 years of age who had a urinalysis and urine culture (UC) during an emergency department (ED) visit between 2019 and 2020 was performed. Chi-square, Fisher exact, and independent samples T tests were used as appropriate. Median age was 6.6 years (interquartile range = 3.3-12.4). Urinalysis positivity was 92.8%, of which 81.9% of children were prescribed a first-line antibiotic. First-line antibiotic use was 82.7%. Positive UC rate was 84.7%, with 84% receiving a first-line antibiotic (P = .025). The correlation between a positive urinalysis and a positive UC was 80.8% (P < .001). Change of antibiotics based on the uropathogen of positive UCs was 6.3% (P < .001). The urinalysis and UC guided the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs. First-line antibiotics can be safely administered in the ED and prescribed for positive urinalyses. Studies are needed to evaluate the discontinuation of antibiotics with negative UCs as part of antibiotic stewardship initiatives.

Thyrotoxicosis and Impending Thyroid Storm: A Rare Paraneoplastic Syndrome in an Infant With Hepatoblastoma.

Graves' disease is the most common cause of pediatric hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid storm is a rare initial manifestation of Graves' disease and represents an endocrine emergency. We report a case of transient hyperthyroidism, possibly a paraneoplastic syndrome presenting as impending thyroid storm in a patient with undiagnosed hepatoblastoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of this association reported in children. A previously healthy 21-month-old male presented with abdominal pain and unremitting tachycardia. He was managed for thyrotoxicosis and impending thyroid storm. He subsequently was found to have hepatomegaly leading to a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. Autoimmune markers for Graves' disease were negative, along with a negative human chorionic gonadotropin. After initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he had complete resolution of thyrotoxicosis. Paraneoplastic syndromes may occur with any tumor. We present a unique case of a patient developing human chorionic gonadotropin-negative hyperthyroidism, possibly as a paraneoplastic syndrome from hepatoblastoma.

Chikungunya infection in infants / Infecção por Chikungunya em lactentes

Abstract Introduction: the infection of chikungunya virus presents clinical manifestations variables, particularly in infants in which may present multiple cutaneous manifestations. Description: a case series study was carried out in an analytical character of 14 infants (>28 days to < 2 years old) admitted in a hospital between November 2015 and January 2016 with suspected case of chikungunya, by a specific IgM reactive serology. Patients positive for dengue fever, Zika virus, bacterial infections and other exanthematic diseases were excluded. Fever and cutaneous alterations were the most frequent clinical manifestations in 100% of the cases, followed by irritability (64.3%), vomits and arthralgia/arthritis in 35.7% each. Three children presented alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid compatible to meningitis. Anemia frequency was 85.7%. The median white blood cells count was 7.700/mm3 (2.600 to 20.300/mm3). High levels of aminotransferases were observed in three cases (230 to 450 U/L). Antibiotic therapy was indicated in 64.3% of the cases. Two infants needed opioid derivatives for analgesia while others took acetaminophen and/or dipyrone. Discussion: the study shows evident multi-systemic involvement of chikungunya infection in infants. The treatment is supportive, giving special attention to hydration, analgesia, skin care, and rational use of antibiotic therapy.

Resumo Introdução: a infecção pelo vírus chikungunya apresenta manifestações clínicas variáveis, particularmente em lactentes, nos quais parece haver uma multiplicidade de manifestações cutâneas. Descrição: foi feito um estudo tipo de série de casos de caráter analítico com 14 lactentes (>28 dias a < 2 anos) internados entre novembro de 2015 e janeiro de 2016 como caso suspeito de infecção por chikungunya com sorologia IgM específica reagente. Excluídos pacientes com exame positivo para dengue, Zika vírus, infecção bacteriana e outras doenças exantemáticas. As manifestações clínicas mais frequentes foram febre e alterações cutâneas em 100% dos casos, irritabilidade (64,3%), vômitos e artralgia/artrite em 35,7% cada. Três crianças apresentaram alterações liquóricas compatíveis com meningite. A frequência de anemia foi de 85,7%. A mediana de leucometria foi de 7.700/mm3 (2.600 a 20.300/mm3). Níveis aumentados de aminotransferases foram observados em três casos (230 a 450 U/L). Antibioticoterapia foi indicada em 64,3% dos casos. Dois lactentes necessitaram de derivados de opioides para analgesia fixa, enquanto os demais, paracetamol e/ou dipirona. Discussão: o estudo evidencia envolvimento multisistêmico da infecção por chikungunya em lactentes. O tratamento permanece de suporte, com atenção a hidratação, analgesia, cuidados com a pele e ao uso racional de antibioticoterapia.