Adenovirus 7a: a community-acquired outbreak in a children's hospital

BACKGROUND: Adenoviruses produce many illnesses in children, particularly respiratory and gastrointestinal disease. The most common adenoviral respiratory infections in children are caused by types 1, 2, 3 and 5. Adenoviruses spread rapidly in closed environments often causing epidemic disease. Serotype 7a has been responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease in children living in close proximity with one another. This report describes a large community-acquired adenovirus 7a epidemic in hospitalized children. METHODS: Evaluation of all patients with cultures positive for adenovirus from a children's hospital-based virology laboratory during a recognized adenovirus outbreak. All such adenovirus isolates were typed, and patients with adenovirus 7a are described by review of medical records. RESULTS: Between March 1 and July 26, 1997, 47 children admitted to the hospital were identified as infected with adenovirus. Of these 47 patients 26 (55%) were infected with adenovirus 7a. Twenty-four (92%) infections were community-acquired. The age range was 11 days to 10 years with a median of 9.5 months. Twenty-two patients (84%) had respiratory symptoms, and 21 (8%) had fever, making these the most common symptoms. The mean durations of fever and hospitalization were 5.5 and 7 days, respectively. One of 26 patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Adenovirus 7a can cause large community epidemics affecting children. The disease produced by adenovirus 7a in children is almost exclusively of the respiratory tract, and in some individuals it may be very severe and possibly fatal.     

Peritoneal metastasis of a pineoblastoma in a patient with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt

A 12 years old child had an increase of intra cranial pressure secondary to a large pinealoblastoma. A ventriculo peritoneal shunt procedure was performed followed several days later by a partial resection of the pinealoblastoma. One year later, ultrasound and computed tomography examinations discovered a solid mass in the pelvis. At surgery it appeared to be a metastasis of the pinealoblastoma. It is a very seldom complication of the shunt and various mechanisms are discussed.     

The preschool playground: a longing for a mother to a need for friends

This paper explores the close relationship between social and emotional development in the young child. Underlying each new step in social development there is a corresponding movement in the child's internal world and in her capacity to contain anxiety. The exploration is illustrated by material from the observation of a three-year-old girl using material from a weekly, one-hour observation in a preschool nursery playground. The author notes the movement from a painful and cruel-feeling experience of separation to becoming more secure in the playground and being able to be interested in and to use the group of children, then to develop friendships, partly on the basis of seeking comfort from the company of another child. There was a shift from a preoccupation with longing for her mother to an interest in the other children, which led to an active interest in joining in their activities and play and a place in the social life and experience of the group.     

Hepatic localization of a fibrosarcoma in a child with a liver transplant.

Two years after an orthotopic liver transplantation, a multifocal hepatic tumor with lymphonodular metastases, identified as a fibrosarcoma, developed in a 4-year-old girl being treated with cyclosporine. On a needle biopsy sample, genetic typing of the HLA-DR group revealed that tumoral cells were from the recipient.     

Time for a cool head-neuroprotection becomes a reality

Studies in encephalopathic infants have demonstrated a brief phase of normal cerebral energetics following hypoxia-ischaemia prior to development of delayed energy failure. In experimental models, mild hypothermia has shown a consistent neuroprotective action, although its efficacy is critically dependent on the severity of the primary insult, the delay in initiating cooling, and the duration and depth of hypothermia. Early electroencephalographic assessment of encephalopathic infants has the potential to provide objective information about the preceding insult, aiding the selection of infants for enrollment to clinical trials. Preliminary results from a large randomised trial of selective head cooling suggest that early intervention can lead to significantly improved outcome in a subgroup of encephalopathic infants with intermediate electroencephalographic abnormalities. Further research in established experimental models is essential to improve the identification of suitable infants for treatment, to investigate the importance of variations in regional brain temperature, and to examine the therapeutic potential of hypothermia combined with other neuroprotective agents.     

Life-threatening haemorrhage as a complication of a congenital haemangioma

Life-threatening complications of congenital haemangiomas are rare. A case of haemorrhage in a neonate is reported here. A neonate presented a congenital haemangioma of the limb complicated by a massive life-threatening haemorrhage. Colour ultrasonography showed a hypervascularized, highly haemodynamically active mass with a large, superficial drainage vein just under the ulceration. Surgical resection was performed with satisfactory postoperative outcome and no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Early surgical removal can be a good therapeutic option for complicated congenital haemangiomas.     

Pyloric duplication in a neonate: a rare entity

Duplications of the alimentary tract are rare anomalies that have been reported to occur all along the gastrointestinal tract. Of the various alimentary tract duplications, pyloric duplications are extremely rare. We report the case of a 3-day-old neonate who was antenatally diagnosed as having a cystic mass in the abdomen and who presented with vomiting on the 2nd day of life. At operation, a duplication cyst of the pylorus was removed successfully and a pyloroantrectomy performed.     

Primary observation of a congenital intracranial teratoma in a twin with a healthy brother

Primary intracranial teratomas are rare germ cell tumors arising from embryonic tissues, which contain cellular or tissue derivates from all three germ layers. Today the early intrauterine diagnosis by ultrasound is possible. We first describe a patient with such a tumor which was diagnosed by routine ultrasound in the 33rd week of gestational age in a twin-pregnancy, of which the 2nd twin developed normally. This must be considered in the obstetrical situation. In such a case the parents should be advised accordingly.     

Laparoscopic excision of a prostatic utricle in a child

Prostatic utricle cysts result from incomplete regression of Mullerian duct structures and occur most frequently in males with perineal or peno-scrotal hypospadias. Utricular cysts may present with various signs and symptoms including urinary tract infection, pain and post-void incontinence, a palpable abdominal mass or recurrent epididymitis. Treatment is reserved for symptomatic cysts and various techniques have been described including transurethral deroofing, endoscopic incision or surgical excision by suprapubic, posterior and midline transvesical approaches. We present a successful minimally invasive approach for excision of a prostatic utricle cyst in a child. Laparoscopic excision is a safe and viable alternative to open procedures in the surgical treatment of symptomatic utricle cysts in childhood. The presence of a cystoscope within the utricle orifice aids identification and safe dissection of the utricular remnant.     

Calcification in a Deflux bleb thought to be a ureteral calculus in a child

A child admitted for abdominal pain was evaluated with an abdominal computed tomography scan. Calcification was noted at the ureterovesical junction. The child had undergone successful bilateral Deflux injection 3 years earlier. No hydronephrosis was noted and an intravenous pyelogram was normal. Ureteroscopy revealed no intraluminal stones, and a follow-up scan showed the lesion to be still present and unchanged. This case illustrates that calcifications within a Deflux bleb can be mistaken for a ureteral calculus, and the entire clinical picture should be kept in mind when evaluating a patient with abdominal pain. Due to the widespread use of Deflux to treat vesicoureteral reflux, this phenomenon may be seen more frequently as this population ages.     

Organizing a paediatric medical placement in a developing country

Many paediatricians work overseas during their training and the value of working in a developing country has been recognised and supported in government reports. Volunteering to work in a resource-poor setting provides a highly valuable experience which can benefit the volunteer, the host country, and the NHS on their return. Careful planning increases the clinical effectiveness of the placement and the value to training that can be achieved. Preparations should commence at least 12 months in advance. Volunteers need a minimum of 3 years clinical training and ideally MRCPCH and middle grade experience. Organisations such as VSO provide the structure to support a volunteer, and placements arranged though such schemes facilitate continuity of training and NHS conditions.     

Laparoscopic-induced pneumocephalus in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

The authors report the case of laparoscopic-induced pneumocephalus in a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) patient undergoing a transperitoneal laparoscopic procedure. This case represents the first instance, to our knowledge, of forced retrograde air through a Holter valve placed 20 years ago. Abdominal laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure utilized for a wide spectrum of abdominal and pelvic disorders. VPS systems for cerebrospinal fluid diversion are used to treat hydrocephalus. We present a case of laparoscopic-induced pneumocephalus in a VPS patient undergoing a transperitoneal laparoscopic procedure.     

Leukemia in a Child with a History of Medulloblastoma

Leukemia of mixed lineage, was diagnosed in a 6.5-year-old boy with a history of medulloblastoma, 38 months after his initial cancer diagnosis. Therapy had included craniospinal radiation and nitrosourea-based chemotherapy. In addition, onset of leukemia was preceded by therapy with recombinant growth hormone for short stature. Although rare, leukemia is a treatment-related complication for patients with past brain tumors whose follow-up should therefore include surveillance with complete blood counts.     

Embolization of a coronary fistula with a controlled delivery platinum coil in a 2-year-old

Summary Congenital coronary artery disorders are rare. Elective closure is proposed in view of the morbidity reported later in life. Excellent results have been reported with surgery, and recently catheter occlusions have been successful. We report the case of a 2-year-old girl whose coronary artery fistula was occluded with a special controlled delivery coil system.     

Bacterial Endocarditis in a Child with a Broviac Catheter

Broviac and Hickman catheters facilitate the care of children with cancer but provide a source of potential infection. We describe a child with a Broviac catheter who developed left-sided bacterial endocarditis in whom right-to-left atrial shunting was documented following catheter flushing. Following removal of the catheter and administration of prolonged intravenous antibiotics, recovery was complete and cardiac function returned to normal.     

Haemorrhage from a duodenal ulcer in a neonate

A 7-week-old boy born at 32 weeks' gestation developed massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a duodenal ulcer. The base of the ulcer had eroded into the hepatic artery. Haemorrhage was only controlled following operation.     

Lipofibromatosis in a two-year-old girl: a case report

Lipofibromatosis is a recently described rare benign soft tissue tumor of childhood. We report a case of a lipofibromatosis in a two-year-old girl with a painless mass on the plantar aspect of her right foot who developed local recurrence eight months after surgery. The tumor has a high rate of non-destructive recurrence, but there is no metastatic potential. Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. Nevertheless, the rareness of its presentation should be taken into account by the pediatric pathologist, and considerable surgical judgment is of great importance.     

Giant-cell fibroblastoma in a patient with a bone-marrow transplant

A case of an epigastric giant-cell fibroblastoma is reported in a 6-year-old girl who had undergone a bone-marrow transplant for severe combined immunodeficiency secondary to adenosine deaminase deficiency. A small subcutaneous nodule had been excised from the epigastrium at age 12 months.     

Repair of a giant omphalocele by a modified technique

 Large omphaloceles that contain centrally herniated liver pose challenges to surgical closure, the most significant being the space limitation of the abdominal cavity. In addition, the “pedicled” nature of the liver on the inferior vena cava creates a predisposition to acute hepatic vascular outflow obstruction as the liver is reduced into the abdominal cavity. In such cases, the alternatives include conservative treatment or staged silo reduction. The worst complication of silastic silo (SS) placement is tension and infection of the fascia with disruption of the suture line. Once infection or premature disruption occurs, closure of the defect is difficult or impossible. This case report details a different management technique for a newborn with a giant omphalocele and presents an interesting variation of the usual SS technique that may be helpful in the management of some cases, especially in an emergency. The thick silk sutures applied in the present case absorbed the tension and the silastic sheet prevented the risks of infection and adhesions. Accepted: 28 July 1999     

Acute hemiparesis revealing a neuroborreliosis in a child]

We report on a 11-year-old boy who had 2 acute hemiparesis episodes over a period of 1 month. He suffered from headache and fatigue since 1 year. He could not remember neither a tick bite nor a local erythematous skin lesion. The diagnosis of neuroborreliosis was based on intrathecal production of specifics antibodies. Furthermore, the CSF/blood glucose ratio was decreased (0.14), which was rarely described. Cranial MRI showed left capsulothalamic inflammation and a vasculitis. The patient was successfully treated by ceftriaxone. Neuroborreliosis should be considered in all children with stroke-like episode, even in the absence of a history of a tick bite.