[Previous antibiotic treatment in meningococcal infections]. / Tratamiento antibiótico previo en la infección meningocócica.

Seventy four cases of meningococcal infection were studied. They attended the "Valle del Nalón" Hospital in Asturias, from february 1979 until january 1985. Seven children died (9.4%). We divided them into two groups: A, without any previous antibiotic treatment when they arrived at the hospital (58 cases), and B, with previous antibiotic treatment (16 cases). All the children who died belonged to group A. Only 56.2% from group B had petechias, contrasting greatly with the 93.1% in group A. The most predominant meningococcus was from the serum group B. In the 22 cases of meningitis brainstem auditory evoked response was carried out to detect any hearing impairment. This was found in 21.7% of the cases.

[Suprapubic bladder aspiration. Utility and complication]. / Punción vesical suprapúbica. Utilidad y complicaciones.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at evaluating the usefulness of suprapubic bladder aspiration (SBA) in order to diagnose urinary tract infection (UTI), enumerating the complications and describes those found in the existing literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed the 668 SBAs carried out on 642 children over a period of 3 years. The ages of the children varied from neonate to 5 years. Urine cultures were regarded as positive when any one single germ showed bacterial growth signs. RESULTS: Ninety-four UTIs, 14.6% of the total samples studied, were detected, five of which were in newborns. Infection by Escherichia coli comprised 87.2% of the total. Two complications were observed: needle breakage and vaginal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: SBA is a reliable method, with hardly any complications, and is essential for the accurate diagnosis of UTI. However, it must be used with a more restrictive criterion in the neonatal period.

[Infantile giardiasis. Study of 111 cases]. / Giardiasis infantil. Estudio de 111 casos.

One hundred eleven children with intestinal giardiasis, are studied taken into account: age, sex, place of residence, seasonal frequency, clinic, symptomatology, analyses, treatment and it efficacy and reinfections. Authors have investigated mainly the stools: presence of parasite in them, with only one sample, has been of 56.2%, reaching 70.7% when several samples were examined. Patients have been treated with metronidazole with good response in 93.3%, but 28.3% were infected again. Closed relatives of 99 children have also been examined and 21.4% presented infection.

[Evaluation of activities and effectiveness of an asthmatic child program developed in primary care]. / Evaluación de las actividades y de la efectividad de un programa del niño asmático desarrollado en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate activities and effectiveness of a programme of attention to asthmatic child, defined by a proper diagnostic process and therapeutic intervention, by the gain of educational goals and by reduction of number of asthma attacks. DESIGN: A before-after study SETTING: Primary care PARTICIPANTS: The first 81 children attracted to the programme. Aged 5 to 13. INTERVENTION: Each child was periodically revised (mean time of monitoring 11 months and 24 days: interval 7-17 months). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Intervention obtained significative results (p < 0.0001) in: lung function study and allergens detection, use of inhalatory way and peak flow meter. Asthma attacks were reduced (p < 0.0001): before 216, mean 2.66, SD 1.85, range 0-8; and after 117, mean 1.44, SD 1.27, range 0-5. CONCLUSIONS: 1. A systematic and organized intervention from Primary Care results effective to improve quality of life in asthmatic child (better diagnostic, more abilities, less asthma attacks). 2. It must be stated new strategies for reduction of smoking at home of these children.

[Neonatal neurofibromatosis (author's transl)]. / Neurofibromatosis neonatal. Aportación de un caso.

Authors present a patient born with fibular pseudoarthrosis and tibial bowing of the same side. X-ray findings and biopsy confirm diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. The clinical findings of the disease are reviewed with special mention of bone manifestations.