Transient neutropenia in children with febrile illness and associated infectious agents: 2 years’ follow-up

The aim of the study was to identify the relationship of acquired neutropenia with childhood infections and to assess its clinical course, complications, and outcome. Children admitted to two pediatric wards over a 4-year period with febrile neutropenia were prospectively investigated for underlying infections with inflammatory markers, cultures of body fluids, and serological tests. The study included 161 previously healthy children with febrile neutropenia/leukopenia aged (mean?±?SD) 3.02?±?3.86 years (range, 0.1–14). One hundred and thirty-six out of 161 patients (84.5 %) had transient neutropenia (TN), while in 25 patients, neutropenia was chronic (CN) and persisted for ≥180 days. An infectious agent was isolated in 98/161 (60.9 %) cases, in 68.4 % patients with TN, and in 20 % of those with CN (p?=?0.001). Among the patients with CN, seven had positive antineutrophil antibodies (autoimmune neutropenia) and four were eventually diagnosed with hematological malignancy. In all age groups, TN was of short duration (<1 month), of mild to moderate severity, and was predominantly associated with viral infections. Two years after diagnosis, 143/161 children (88.8 %) were available for follow-up. One hundred and thirty-seven of 143 (95.8 %) had recovered completely, while the rest remained neutropenic. The latter patients had a benign course despite severe neutropenia. In conclusion, febrile neutropenia during childhood is usually transient, often following viral and common bacterial infections, without serious complications and in the majority of cases it resolves spontaneously. However, in a considerable percentage of patients, neutropenia is discovered incidentally during the course of an infection on the ground of an underlying hematological disease.     

Incidence and risk factors of bacterial and fungal infection during induction chemotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma

High-risk neuroblastoma is an aggressive childhood cancer with poor outcomes. Treatment begins with an induction phase comprised of intense multi-agent chemotherapy with the goal of maximally reducing tumor bulk. Given the high intensity of induction chemotherapy, neutropenic fever and infectious complications are common; however, the actual incidence is difficult to determine from clinical trial reports. We performed a retrospective review of infection-related complications in 76 children treated for high-risk neuroblastoma at Texas Children's Hospital. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes, presence, and type of bacterial and fungal infections, and potential risk factors for infection. Fifty-seven percent of patients developed one or more serious bacterial or fungal infections during induction chemotherapy. Additionally, over 75% of patients had at least one admission for FN. Risk factors for developing any infection included female sex, MYCN amplification, and having Medicaid. Patients with external central venous catheters and those requiring parenteral nutrition had higher rates of bacteremia or fungemia. Each cycle, 50% were readmitted for either FN or infection. The overall burden of infectious complications was high, with 70% having two or more unplanned admissions for infection or FN. The incidence of febrile neutropenia and serious bacterial and fungal infections during induction chemotherapy for high-risk neuroblastoma is high. Most patients had at least two additional hospitalizations for infectious complications. Risk factors including female sex, MYCN amplification, payer status, and type of central access were associated with higher rates of infection in this cohort.

Abbreviations: CLABSI Central line associated blood stream infection; CTCAE Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; FN Febrile neutropenia; ANC Absolute neutrophil count; TPN Total parenteral nutrition.     

Retrospective evaluation of long-term efficacy and safety of splenectomy in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in children

Aim: To review the long-term efficacy and safety of splenectomy in children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP). Patients and methods: Data from 33 splenectomized children were retrospectively analysed (median follow up period: 18.8 y from the removal of the spleen). The median age of children at splenectomy was 12 y and the median ITP duration 3.3 y. Indications for splenectomy were: persistent severe thrombocytopenia with extensive purpura, epistaxis and/or gum bleeds, menorrhagia (n = 5) and severe or recurrent haemorrhage from various sites (n = 11). Results: Eighty-five per cent of the patients showed an excellent (n = 26) or partial response to splenectomy. Five children (15%), all females, failed to respond. Of the responders, 25% experienced a transient recurrence of thrombocytopenia within 6 mo to 4 y from splenectomy. The mortality rate due to severe sepsis was 3%. However, the majority of the splenectomized patients have not so far suffered any severe or mild bacterial infection, despite incomplete vaccination and/or antibiotic prophylaxis.

Conclusion: Splenectomy remains the only effective therapeutic modality for children with cITP, although it is associated with transient recurrence and rarely with post-splenectomy sepsis, which could be fatal. Nonetheless, splenectomy should be the last treatment option for the cITP patient, after all available therapeutic modalities have been exhausted and the child still remains profoundly thrombocytopenic and symptomatic.     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热单中心血流感染病原菌分析

目的 分析儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)化疗后中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热(FN)血流感染的临床特点、危险因素和病原菌分布。方法 回顾性分析2007年1月1日至2016年12月31日上海交通大学附属儿童医院血液肿瘤科收治的ALL化疗后发生FN住院患儿的临床资料和血培养结果,分析菌株的分布及药敏特点。结果 纳入ALL患儿312例,FN1 548例次,共送检1 700例次血培养,血培养阳性率7.5%(127/1 700),血流感染发生率8.2%(127/1 548),病死率9.4%(12/127)。血流感染革兰阳性菌51.1%(65/127),革兰阴性菌47.2%(60/127),真菌1.5%(2/127)。革兰阴性菌血流感染与革兰阳性菌血流感染比较,ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1的患儿占比(P=0.041)和感染性休克发生率更高(P=0.002)。2012~2016年铜绿假单胞菌构成比较2007~2011年增加(χ²=4.712,P=0.030)。ALL的危险程度分层IR/HR(OR=2.560,P=0.045)和ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1(OR=0.754,P=0.025)是血流感染发生的独立危险因素。结论 ALL患儿发生FN时血流感染病原菌阳性率较高(8.2%),以革兰阳性菌感染为主。在严重粒细胞缺乏时以革兰阴性菌血流感染为主,铜绿假单胞菌感染有增加趋势,合并感染性休克是FN死亡的独立危险因素。     

儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热单中心血流感染病原菌分析

目的 分析儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)化疗后中性粒细胞缺乏伴发热(FN)血流感染的临床特点、危险因素和病原菌分布。方法 回顾性分析2007年1月1日至2016年12月31日上海交通大学附属儿童医院血液肿瘤科收治的ALL化疗后发生FN住院患儿的临床资料和血培养结果,分析菌株的分布及药敏特点。结果 纳入ALL患儿312例,FN1 548例次,共送检1 700例次血培养,血培养阳性率7.5%(127/1 700),血流感染发生率8.2%(127/1 548),病死率9.4%(12/127)。血流感染革兰阳性菌51.1%(65/127),革兰阴性菌47.2%(60/127),真菌1.5%(2/127)。革兰阴性菌血流感染与革兰阳性菌血流感染比较,ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1的患儿占比(P=0.041)和感染性休克发生率更高(P=0.002)。2012~2016年铜绿假单胞菌构成比较2007~2011年增加(χ²=4.712,P=0.030)。ALL的危险程度分层IR/HR(OR=2.560,P=0.045)和ANC<0.1×10⁹·L^-1(OR=0.754,P=0.025)是血流感染发生的独立危险因素。结论 ALL患儿发生FN时血流感染病原菌阳性率较高(8.2%),以革兰阳性菌感染为主。在严重粒细胞缺乏时以革兰阴性菌血流感染为主,铜绿假单胞菌感染有增加趋势,合并感染性休克是FN死亡的独立危险因素。     

Bacterial aetiology of acute osteoarticular infections in children

Aim: To study the bacterial aetiology of acute osteoarticular infections in children and to analyse the efficiency of culture methods. Methods: Bacteriological data of 407 cases of clinically suspected osteoarticular infections affecting 406 children hospitalized in an orthopaedic surgery department between 1999 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Bacterial cultures from clinical specimens were positive in 74 cases (18%): 38 cases of septic arthritis and 36 cases of bone infections (osteitis, osteomyelitis or osteoarthritis). The use of liquid medium bottles to grow bacteria from articular fluids increased the rate of positive cultures compared to the use of standard solid media (p=0.0001). The most commonly recovered pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (44%) followed by Kingella kingae (14%), Streptococcus pyogenes (10%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (10%). K. kingae was most frequently isolated among children under 36 mo of age (p=0.0003), whereas S. aureus was most frequently isolated among children over 36 mo (p=0.0015).

Conclusion: By improving our culture method, we observed a recrudescence of isolation of K. kingae, but S. aureus remains the main pathogen isolated from osteoarticular infections in children. This finding is useful for the adaptation of a probabilistic antibiotic treatment of these infections.     

Elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor: an early indicator of septicemia and bacterial meningitis in children

In 26 infants and children with septicemia or bacterial meningitis, significantly elevated plasma levels of elastase-alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (E-alpha 1-PI) were present at time of recognition of infection, even in those patients with neutropenia (range of reference values: 25 to 190 micrograms/L, n = 142; patients: 444 to 2049 micrograms/L, n = 26). After initiation of therapy, normalization of E-alpha 1-PI levels was observed in all patients who recovered from infection. In addition, 18 of 19 children with bacterial meningitis had increased cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of E-alpha 1-PI above the range of normal (range of reference values: 0 to 39 micrograms/L, n = 62; patients: 30 to 3490 micrograms/L, n = 19); concentrations of E-alpha 1-PI in bacterial meningitis were significantly increased when compared with those in aseptic meningitis (range 25 to 194 micrograms/L; n = 15). In 30 patients with local bacterial infections (pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc.), E-alpha 1-PI was also elevated. These data suggest that E-alpha 1-PI is a sensitive indicator of systemic and local bacterial infection in childhood.     

Leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test (LAAT) to discriminate between viral and bacterial infections in children

Objectives: We previously noted that white blood cells (WBC) have increased adhesive properties during bacterial infections. Here, we aim to explore the possibility of using the different adhesive properties of WBC as a means of differentiating between viral and bacterial infections, a common problem in paediatrics. Methods: The adhesive properties of WBC in the peripheral blood of 25 children with documented bacterial infections, 15 with documented viral infections and 36 with probable viral infections, were studied by means of a leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation slide test (LAAT). The results of the LAAT were compared with those of the other acute phase reactants, namely WBC, differential count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which were taken in the same blood sample in each patient. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 92%, 96%, and 92%, respectively for the LAAT; 83%, 87% and 80% for the ESR; 56%, 78% and 56% for the white blood cell count; and 54%, 74% and 50% for the differential count. Conclusions: The presence of bacterial infections in children can be tested using a simple slide test to reveal the increased state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood. The LAAT is a reliable, rapid and inexpensive test, and it can be a useful laboratory tool for the paediatrician treating a child with acute febrile illness.     

Are influences during pregnancy associated with wheezing phenotypes during the first decade of life?

Aim: Recently, attention has focused on possible early life origins for asthma. We sought to identify whether factors present during pregnancy were associated with development of childhood wheezing phenotypes. Methods: A whole population birth cohort (n=1456) on the Isle of Wight, UK, was followed through to age 10 y. Where possible, information regarding environmental exposures and events during pregnancy was obtained from the maternity records (n=1238). Children were seen at ages 1, 2, 4 and 10 y, and wheezing symptoms were used to define wheezing phenotypes in the first decade (n=1034). Results: Risk of early-onsetpersistent wheeze (onset in the first 4 y, still present at age 10) was increased by environmental tobacco smoke exposure in pregnancy (OR=2.44; 95% CI: 1.37-4.34) plus maternal asthma (3.57; 1.84-6.94), but reduced by cat ownership (0.30; 0.13-0.62). Early transient wheeze (onset in the first 4 y, but not present at age 10) was increased by environmental tobacco smoke exposure (1.58; 1.02-2.45), male gender (1.68; 1.09-2.60) and low birthweight (3.65; 1.27-10.52). No environmental factors in pregnancy were associated with late-onset persistent wheeze (onset after age 4 y, still present at 10 y).

Conclusion: In addition to genetics, maternal exposures during pregnancy show association with childhood and especially early-life wheezing phenotypes.     

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: Is it really a rare condition in children?

AIM: To evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of the children with solitary rectal ulcer. METHODS: Fifty-five children with a confirmed diagnosis of solitary rectal ulcer were studied in a period of 11 years from March 2003 to March 2014. All data were collected from the patients, their parents and medical records in the hospital. RESULTS: From 55 studied patients, 41 were male (74.5%) and 14 female (25.5%). The mean age of the patients was 10.4 ± 3.7 years and the average time period from the beginning of symptoms to diagnosis of solitary rectal ulcer was 15.5 ± 11.2 mo. The most common clinical symptoms in our patients were rectal bleeding (n = 54, 98.2%) and straining during defecation or forceful defecation (n = 50, 90.9%). Other symptoms were as follows respectively: Sense of incomplete evacuation (n = 34, 61.8%), mucorrhea (n = 29, 52.7%), constipation (n = 14, 25.4%), tenesmus and cramping (n = 10, 18.2%), diarrhea (n = 9, 16.4%), and rectal pain (n = 5, 9.1%). The colonoscopic examination revealed 67.3% ulcer, 12.7% polypoid lesions, 10.9% erythema, 7.3% both polypoid lesions and ulcer, and 1.8% normal. Most of the lesions were in the rectosigmoid area at a distance of 4-6 cm from the anal margin. Finally, 69.8% of the patients recovered successfully with conservative, medical and surgical management. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that solitary rectal ulcer is not so uncommon despite what was seen in previous studies. As the most common symptom was rectal bleeding, clinicians and pathologists should be familiar with this disorder and common symptoms in order to prevent its complications with early diagnosis.     

Comparison of procalcitonin with C-reactive protein, interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha for differentiation of bacterial vs. viral infections.

BACKGROUND: Procalcitonin (PCT) concentration increases in bacterial infections but remains low in viral infections and inflammatory diseases. The change is rapid and the molecule is stable, making it a potentially useful marker for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections. METHODS: PCT concentration was determined with an immunoluminometric assay on plasma collected at admission in 360 infants and children hospitalized for bacterial or viral infection. It was compared with C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha measured on the same sample. RESULTS: The mean PCT concentration was 46 microg/l (median, 17.8) in 46 children with septicemia or bacterial meningitis. PCT concentration was > 1 microg/l in 44 of 46 in this group and in 59 of 78 children with a localized bacterial infection who had a negative blood culture (sensitivity, 83%). PCT concentration was > 1 microg/l in 16 of 236 children with a viral infection (specificity, 93%). PCT concentration was low in 9 of 10 patients with inflammatory disease and fever. A CRP value > or =20 mg/l was observed in 61 of 236 patients (26%) with viral infection and in 105 of 124 patients (86%) with bacterial infection. IL-6 was > 100 pg/ml in 14% of patients infected with virus and in 53% with bacteria. A secretion of interferon-alpha was found in serum in 77% of viral infected patients and in 8.6% of bacterial infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this study a PCT value of 1 microg/l or greater had better specificity, sensitivity and predictive value than CRP, interleukin 6 and interferon-alpha in children for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. PCT values are higher in invasive bacterial infections, but the cutoff value of 1 microg/l indicates the severity of the disease in localized bacterial infection and helps to decide antibiotic treatment in emergency room. PCT may be useful in an emergency room for differentiation of bacterial vs. viral infections in children and for making decisions about antibiotic treatments.     

Whole blood interleukin 8 and plasma interleukin 8 levels in newborn infants with suspected bacterial infection

Aim: To evaluate a new micro-method technique for measurement of interleukin 8 in detergent-lysed whole blood (whole blood IL-8) applicable to capillary blood sampling as a test for bacterial infections in neonates. Methods: Whole blood IL-8 was measured at the first suspicion of infection along with IL-8 determined in plasma (plasma IL-8), C-reactive protein and blood cultures in 154 consecutive newborn infants with clinical signs of bacterial infection. Only 20 μl of whole blood were required for the new assay. Results: Blood culture-proven infections were diagnosed in six infants and clinical infection (defined as a combination of clinical and laboratory signs) in 20 infants. 1000 pg/ml was determined as the suitable threshold for whole blood IL-8 by ROC-curve analysis. At that threshold, whole blood IL-8 detected blood culture-proven infections with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 67%. The areas under the ROC curves were similar for whole blood IL-8 and plasma IL-8.

Conclusions: Compared with plasma IL-8, whole blood IL-8 offers the advantages that measurements of whole blood IL-8 require a smaller blood sample volume and are not altered by haemolysis. The diagnostic accuracy of whole blood IL-8 remains to be studied in more detail in the future.     

Infections in Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: An Autopsy Study of 30 Cases in South Florida, 1990-1993

Thirty autopsies performed on infants and children with HIV infection and/or AIDS were reviewed for the presence and type of infection. Twenty-six (87%) demonstrated evidence of infection in addition to HIV at the time of postmortem examination. Pathogenic bacterial infections were the most frequently encountered, seen in 15 of the cases. Nine of the 15 (60%) were due to gram-negative rods, most commonly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infections with gram-negative organisms often involved multiple organ systems and were frequently undiagnosed both pre -and postmortem because of variability in culture results and difficulties in identification both clinically and in tissue sections. Discussion is presented of unusual staining characteristics and filamentous morphology found with these pathogens. Other pathogenic bacteria encountered were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., and Staphylococcus. Fungal infections due to Candida species were present in nine cases (31 %) but were invasive in only two of these. One instance of Aspergillus meningo-encephalitis was noted. Proven viral infections were present in five children (three cytomegalovirus, one herpes simplex, and one adenovirus). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in five of the patients (17%), and one instance of disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare was encountered.     

Expression of neurotrophic factors in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of children with viral and bacterial meningoencephalitis

Aim: To evaluate the expression of neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)) and their association with the clinical-radiological characteristics and outcome of children with viral and bacterial meningoencephalitis (ME). Methods: Prospective observational clinical study performed on 13 children with ME and 12 controls with non-inflammatory obstructive hydrocephalus. Neurotrophic factor levels in the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were measured using an immunoenzymatic assay. Results: High levels of NGF and BDNF were demonstrated in all patients, while GDNF levels did not undergo significant variations. NGF expression in the CSF was higher in viral ME than in bacterial ME and was correlated with CSF cellularity (particularly mononuclear cells). BDNF expression in the CSF was higher in bacterial ME than in viral ME and was correlated with CSF cellularity and blood platelet count. No relationships were noted between CSF protein or serum C-reactive protein levels and the expression of neurotrophic factors. Regarding clinical and radiological features, elevated NGF/BDNF levels in the CSF correlated with higher incidence of seizures and prolonged comatose state and with specific radiological lesions. No correlation was found between NGF/BDNF levels and final outcome.

Conclusions: The variations in neurotrophic factor levels may reflect an endogenous attempt at neuroprotection against biochemical and molecular changes during both viral and bacterial ME. The expression of these factors is likely to play a neuro-immunomodulatory or neurosurvival role in ME infections.     

Fever and neutropenia: bacterial etiology revealed by serological methods

In a prospective study, 91 episodes of fever in neutropenic children with cancer were evaluated. Fifteen episodes were septicemias, verified by a positive blood culture, 62 were fevers of unknown origin, 6 were focal infections and 8 were of other etiologies (i.e. drug fevers and viral infections). Serum antibody responses to bacteria were measured in paired sera by an enzyme immunoassay method. Bacterial infection was demonstrated serologically in 20% of documented septicemias, in 35% of fevers of unknown origin and occasionally in the other groups. Tests were available and found positive in the fever of unknown origin group for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis and enterobacteria. Some had multiple etiology. In conclusion, bacterial serology is a promising method of identifying bacterial etiology in fever of otherwise unknown origin in neutropenic children with cancer.     

Cefepime versus ceftazidime as empiric monotherapy for fever and neutropenia in children with cancer

BACKGROUND: Monotherapy with cefepime or ceftazidime is an effective alternative to combination therapy for the treatment of febrile neutropenic adult cancer patients. We compared the efficacy and safety of cefepime and ceftazidime as empiric monotherapy of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, open label, randomized, comparative study in pediatric cancer patients was conducted at Chang Gung Children's Hospital from January 1, 2000, to April 15, 2001. Patients with fever and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count of < or = 500/mm3) were randomized to receive either intravenous cefepime or ceftazidime (50 mg/kg/dose as two or three doses daily). Febrile episodes were classified as microbiologically documented infection, clinically documented infection or unexplained fever. Clinical response to therapy was classified as success and failure. RESULTS: Ninety-five pediatric cancer patients with 120 febrile neutropenic episodes were randomized to receive empiric treatment with cefepime or ceftazidime. After 72 h of treatment, 82.8% (48 of 58) of the eligible patients in the cefepime group continued with unmodified therapy, compared with 87.9% (51 of 58) in the ceftazidime group. The neutrophil count was <100/mm3 at randomization for 76% of the patients in the cefepime group and 83% of those in the ceftazidime group; the median durations of neutropenia (<500/mm3) were 8.5 and 6.5 days, respectively. Of the 96 evaluable episodes the overall success rate with unmodified empiric therapy until the end of the treatment course in the cefepime group was comparable with that in the ceftazidime group (69% vs. 71%, P = 0.95). The response rate after glycopeptides were added to the regimens was 79.2% for the cefepime group and 77.1% for the ceftazidime group. The bacterial eradication rate was 33% for the cefepime group and 20% for the ceftazidime group (P = 0.85), and the rates of new infections were 10.4% vs. 4.2% (P = 0.67), respectively. Both study drugs were well-tolerated. Three (6.4%) patients in the cefepime group and 2 (4.3%) patients in the ceftazidime group died. CONCLUSION: Cefepime appeared to be as effective and safe as ceftazidime for empiric treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients.     

Interleukin 6, but not tumour necrosis factor-α, is a good predictor of severe infection in febrile neutropenic and non-neutropenic children with malignancy

Objective : Interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and interferon-gamma (IFN-7) are important mediators of the inflammatory response in human infection. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between serum levels of IL6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and CRP in febrile children with malignant disease, and relate these levels to aetiology of fever, presence of neutropenia and the effect of untreated malignancy. Methods: 110 febrile episodes in 70 children with malignant disease were included. Cytokine analyses were performed with sensitive immunoradiometric methods using double monoclonal antibodies. Results: IL6 had a sensitivity of 74% in detecting sepsis in children with fever and malignant disease. This sensitivity was not influenced by the presence of neutropenia or newly diagnosed malignancy. A positive correlation between IL6 and the CRP levels on the following day was observed ( r = 53). TNF-α was elevated in 22% of the episodes and mean levels were significantly higher in untreated malignancy but lower in neutropenic patients. IFN-γ was elevated in 18% of cases and correlated strongly with mean TNF-a levels. Conclusions: IL6 is a sensitive and early predictor of bacterial infection in both neutropenic and non-neutropenic febrile children with malignancy. It is more sensitive than CRP in detecting sepsis, but the predictive value is too low to allow IL6 levels to influence initial treatment decisions in patients with granulocytopenia. TNF-α production seems to be impaired in neutropenic children and serum TNF-α cannot be employed as an indicator of bacterial infection.     

Baby swimming increases the risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections and otitis media

Aim: To estimate the association between baby swimming and recurrent respiratory tract infections and otitis media in the first year of life in children of parents without and with atopy. Methods: Norwegian schoolchildren (n = 2862) was enrolled in a cross-sectional study of asthma and allergy using the questionnaire of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The outcomes were parental retrospective report of recurrent respiratory tract infections and otitis media diagnosed by a physician in the first year of life. The exposure was baby swimming during the same period. Parental atopy reflects a history of maternal or paternal asthma, hayfever or eczema. Results: The prevalence of recurrent respiratory tract infections was higher (12.3%) among children who took part in baby swimming than among those who did not (7.5%). The prevalence of recurrent respiratory tract infections during the first year of life was 5.6% and 10.5%, respectively, in children of parents without and with atopy, whereas the prevalence of baby swimming was 5.6% and 5.1%, respectively, in the two groups. Stratified analysis using parental atopy as strata showed that the increased risk of recurrent respiratory tract infections was only present among children of parents with atopy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.08, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.08-4.03]. A similar trend was present for otitis media (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 0.96-3.25).

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that baby swimming and infant respiratory health may be linked. The findings need to be examined in a longitudinal study.     

Fevers and mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are commonly caused by infection but may be due to neutropenia. The most common form of hyper-IgM syndrome is of X-linked inheritance and caused by CD40 ligand gene mutations. Consider hyper-IgM syndrome in a male child with recurrent bacterial or opportunistic infections, neutropenia, hypogammaglobulinaemia (IgG and IgA) and normal T- and B-cell counts. In X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome: - the serum IgM concentration is normal in about 50% of cases. - transient or persistent neutropenia occurs in 70% of cases. First-line therapeutic options for hyper-IgM syndrome include regular intravenous immunoglobulin and prophylactic trimethoprimsulphamethoxazole.