[Delay in the acquisition of sucking-swallowing-breathing in the preterm; efects of early stimulation]. / Retraso de la adquisición de la succión-deglución-respiración en el pretérmino; efectos de una estimulación precoz.

INTRODUCTION: Premature baby's oral feeding is not possible until the reflex of sucking-swallowing-breathing adquisition. Its delay extends hospital stay and increases the incidence of oral motor disorders in early childhood. AIMS: To analyze the transition from enteral to oral nutrition, the comorbidity associated with its delay and the impact of an early suction stimulation in a cohort of premature babies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective checking of 95 infants less than 32 gestation weeks (GW) admitted to a neonatal ICU in the last 4 years. It was revised the gestational age, anthropometric at birth and discharge, comorbidity, duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygen requirements, time of beginning and end of enteral/oral nutrition, beginning of Kangaroo method and the suction stimulation and the daily weight gain average. RESULTS: Suction stimulation began between weeks 29 and 40 GW (average and median 32 GW). Oral nutrition was initiated between 31-40 GW (average and median 33 GW) and completed between 33-44 GW (average and median 35 GW). Oral nutrition was delayed in patients who required longer mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. There was a positive correlation between the beginning of suction stimulation and the time of acquisition of a complete oral nutrition (84% Spearman correlation test) and length of hospital stay (80% Spearman correlation test). CONCLUSIONS: [corrected] Early suction stimulation in a preterm patient seems to facilitate full oral nutrition at an early stage and it is associated with a hospital stay decrease and the improvement in the daily weight gain average.

[Visceral childhood leishmaniasis: diagnosis and treatment]. / Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la leishmaniasis visceral infantil.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Spain. New diagnostic tools and shorter regimens of treatment are been increasingly being used in children. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cases of visceral leishmaniasis, to evaluate the diagnostic techniques tested and the safety and efficacy of treatments used. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis between January 1994 and December 2007 in a tertiary public Hospital in the South of Madrid. The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis was based on visualization of Leishmania sp. in bone marrow aspirate or culture or positive PCR analysis of the bone marrow aspirate. RESULTS: Eleven immunocompetent children were identified. Median age was 21 months (range: 4 months - 13 years). Fever was present in all cases, and hepatomegaly and splenomegaly in 10 (91%). Anemia was the most frequent haematological finding (100%). A bone marrow aspirate was obtained in all cases. Leishmania amastigotes were observed in 8 (73%) cases. Leishmania DNA in the bone marrow aspirate was detected in all patients who underwent this procedure. Positive immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) analysis at baseline was observed in 63% of cases tested. The threshold titer for positivity was 1/40. Urinary antigen detection test was positive in 4 out of 6 (67%) children in whom I was performed. Initial treatment consisted of meglumine antimoniate in 3 patients and liposomal amphotericin B (LAB) in 8 (73%) patients. All children had an early clinical response. Only one child treated with LAB relapsed. No severe adverse events were observed with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral leishmaniasis is still a common disease in our area. Clinical and laboratory findings of visceral leishmaniasis are similar to other Mediterranean area reports. PCR analysis of the bone marrow aspirate was more sensitive than traditional diagnostic techniques. Non-invasive diagnostic techniques may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in children. Short course treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with liposomal amphotericin B has been safe and effective.

[Shigella spp. infections in Getafe Hospital between 2001 and 2006]. / Infección por Shigella spp. en el Hospital de Getafe entre 2001 y 2006.

INTRODUCTION: Shigella spp. is a bacterium that frequently causes diarrhoea in underdeveloped countries, but not so much in Spain, where it has been published that its incidence has decreased in the last few years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has been to asses changes in the epidemiology of Shigella spp. infection over the last 5 years in children of Getafe, as well as the subspecies of Shigella spp. that cause illness in this area (area 10, Madrid), the need for hospitalisation, the complications and the treatment. METHOD: A retrospective study was carried out, based on a review of the medical charts of children less than fifteen years old and had a diagnosis of Shigella spp. infection during 2000-2006. They were identified through the Getafe Hospital Microbiology Service. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were identified, of which only four needed to be hospitalised. There were no differences between males and females. The Shigella spp. subspecies identified were S. sonnei and S. flexneri. The most frequent symptoms were vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and fever. Only one had dehydration as a complication. The treatment was symptomatic, except in the four hospitalised patients, who required fluid therapy and antibiotics. The outcome was good in all patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, there appears to be an increase in the Shigella spp. incidence over the last few years in Area 10 of Madrid. Due to the fact that Shigella spp. is not a frequent bacterium in Spain, there are not enough studies on it, therefore it would be of interest to carry out prospective studies, in order to confirm this increase in incidence.