Adolescent with physiologic striae atrophicae of the thighs.

Physiologic striae atrophicae of adolescence occur mainly in healthy nonobese adolescents in association with the adolescent growth spurt. The striae typically present as erythematous, purple, or violaceous, horizontal linear plaques in the lumbar area. Occurrence of striae elsewhere on the body exclusively is rare. A PubMed search of the English literature using the key terms "physiological striae atrophicae of adolescence" OR "physiological striae atrophicae of puberty" AND "thigh" did not yield any prior report. We report a teenager with physiologic striae atrophicae of adolescence with striae restricted to the thighs.

Diagnostic Yield of Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Immunocompromised Children.

Results from early studies in the diagnostic yield of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in immunocompromised adults and children were variable. This prospective study aimed to determine the diagnostic yield of BALs in immunocompromised children over the first 18 months of service at a newly established children's hospital. Relationship between BAL results and changes in antimicrobial management was also studied. Twenty-one bronchoscopic BALs were performed on 18 children; 14 BALs (66.7%) yielded at least 1 pathogen and 7 (33.3%) yielded no pathogen. Two pathogens were found in 2 samples, and 1 pathogen was identified in 12 samples. Bacteria (n = 7 patients), viruses (n = 8 patients) and fungus (Pneumocycstis jirovecii in one patient) were yielded. Of the 21 BALs, 8 (38.1%) were associated with changes in antimicrobial management (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.018). No significant side effects such as pneumothorax or pulmonary hemorrhages were observed in this series. In conclusion, BAL in immunocompromised children is rewarding and has potential to impact on antimicrobial management.

An ulcerated giant segmental hemangioma resulting in contracture of the left elbow.

The majority of infantile hemangiomas are benign and will resolve on their own. We report a 4-month-old infant with an ulcerated giant segmental infantile hemangioma involving the left upper limb who developed a contracture of the left elbow despite treatment with oral propranolol, proper wound care, and regular intense physiotherapy. To our knowledge, contracture resulting from an infantile hemangioma has not been reported previously.

Proteinuria in Children: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis.

Although proteinuria is usually benign in the form of transient or orthostatic proteinuria, persistent proteinuria may be associated with more serious renal diseases. Proteinuria may be an independent risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease in children. Mechanisms of proteinuria can be categorized as glomerular, tubular, secretory, or overflow. A history, a physical examination, and laboratory tests help determine the cause. Transient (functional) proteinuria is temporary. It can occur with fever, exercise, stress, or cold exposure, and it resolves when the inciting factor is removed. Orthostatic proteinuria is the most common type in children, especially in adolescent males. It is a benign condition without clinical significance. Persistent proteinuria can be glomerular or tubulointerstitial in origin. The urine dipstick test is the most widely used screening method. Although a 24-hour urine protein excretion test is usually recommended for quantitation of the amount of protein excreted in the urine, it may be impractical in children. A spot, first-morning urine test for a protein-to-creatinine or protein-to-osmolality ratio is a reliable substitute. Treatment of proteinuria should be directed at the underlying cause. Patients with active urinary sediments, hematuria, hypertension, hypocomplementemia, renal insufficiency with depressed glomerular filtration rate, or signs and symptoms suggestive of vasculitic disease may require referral to a pediatric nephrologist and a renal biopsy.