[Impact of pneumococcal vaccination on the management of infants with fever according to vaccination rates]. / Impacto de la vacunación neumocócica en el manejo del lactante con fiebre, en relación al porcentaje de vacunación.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate the impact of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in the management of fever without source (FWS) in infants according to vaccination rates. METHODS: The rate of pneumococcal vaccination in infants visiting 14 pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) was calculated. For the statistical analysis, two groups were established; group A: hospitals with vaccination rates of > or = 40%, and group B: hospitals with vaccination rates of < 40 %. A survey was carried out among pediatricians from 14 PEDs on the specific management of two hypothetical clinical cases of FWS (case 1: 7-month-old girl; case 2: 20-month-old girl) depending on their pneumococcal vaccination status (no vaccination, 1 o 2 doses, or 3 doses). RESULTS: In February 2005, data were collected in 1357 patients, aged 3 to 36 months; 568 (41.86 %) had received at least one dose of PCV-7. A total of 235 questionnaires were collected, 104 in group A and 131 in group B. Pneumococcal vaccination would lead (with statistically significant differences) to fewer diagnostic tests (complete blood cell counts and blood culture). This decrease would be more pronounced in group A than in group B (56.7 % vs 26.7 % and 55.8 vs 26.7 % in case 1 and 54.8 % vs 26 % and 57.7 vs 13.7 %, case 2, respectively), p < 0.05. Infants who had received complete pneumococcal vaccination would receive fewer antibiotics and would be more likely to be discharged directly from hospital (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the previously vaccinated infant with FWS, there would be a significant reduction in the number of diagnostic tests, need for observation in the PED, rates of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy. The reduction in diagnostic tests would increase in areas with higher rates of pneumococcal vaccination.

Impacto de la vacunación neumocócica en el manejo del lactante con fiebre, en relación al porcentaje de vacunación / Impact of pneumococcal vaccination on the management of infants with fever according to vaccination rates

Objetivo. Estimar el impacto de la vacuna neumocócica conjugada heptavalente (VCN-7) en el manejo del lactante con fiebre sin focalidad (FSF) en relación al porcentaje de vacunación. Método. Se estimó el porcentaje VCN-7 en los lactantes con FSF que consultaron en 14 servicios de urgencias pediátricos (SUP). Para el análisis estadístico, se establecieron 2 grupos. Grupo A: hospitales con porcentaje de vacunación igual o superior a 40 %; y grupo B: hospitales con porcentaje de vacunación inferior a 40 %. Se realizó una encuesta sobre el manejo concreto de 2 casos clínicos hipotéticos de FSF (caso 1: niña de 7 meses; y caso 2: niña de 20 meses) en tres situaciones: sin vacunar; con 1 o 2 dosis de la VCN-7 o con 3 dosis. Resultados. Durante el mes de febrero de 2005 se recogieron en 14 SUP, datos de 1.357 lactantes (3 a 36 meses); 568 (41,86 %) habían recibido alguna dosis de VCN-7. Se reunieron 235 cuestionarios, 104 del grupo A y 131 del grupo B. La VCN-7 daría origen de forma significativa a la realización de menos estudios complementarios (hemograma y hemocultivo). Este descenso sería más acusado en el grupo A frente a grupo B (56,7 % frente a 26,7 % y 55,8 frente a 26,7 % en el caso 1 y 54,8 % frente a 26 % y 57,7 frente a 13,7 %, en el caso 2, respectivamente; p < 0,05). En ambos grupos de estudio, en los lactantes con VCN-7 completa, se reduciría la administración de antibióticos y se incrementaría el alta hospitalaria directa (p < 0,001). Conclusiones. En el lactante con FSF y VCN-7, se produciría una disminución significativa en el número de pruebas diagnósticas, la estancia del paciente en el SUP, la tasa de hospitalización y tratamiento antibiótico. La reducción en el número de pruebas diagnósticas sería más acusado en aquellas áreas con porcentajes superiores de VCN-7

Objective. To calculate the impact of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in the management of fever without source (FWS) in infants according to vaccination rates. Methods. The rate of pneumococcal vaccination in infants visiting 14 pediatric emergency departments (PEDs) was calculated. For the statistical analysis, two groups were established; group A: hospitals with vaccination rates of >= 40%, and group B: hospitals with vaccination rates of < 40 %. A survey was carried out among pediatricians from 14 PEDs on the specific management of two hypothetical clinical cases of FWS (case 1: 7-month-old girl; case 2: 20-month-old girl) depending on their pneumococcal vaccination status (no vaccination, 1 o 2 doses, or 3 doses). Results. In February 2005, data were collected in 1357 patients, aged 3 to 36 months; 568 (41.86 %) had received at least one dose of PCV-7. A total of 235 questionnaires were collected, 104 in group A and 131 in group B. Pneumococcal vaccination would lead (with statistically significant differences) to fewer diagnostic tests (complete blood cell counts and blood culture). This decrease would be more pronounced in group A than in group B (56.7 % vs 26.7 % and 55.8 vs 26.7 % in case 1 and 54.8 % vs 26 % and 57.7 vs 13.7 %, case 2, respectively), p < 0.05. Infants who had received complete pneumococcal vaccination would receive fewer antibiotics and would be more likely to be discharged directly from hospital (p < 0.001). Conclusions. In the previously vaccinated infant with FWS, there would be a significant reduction in the number of diagnostic tests, need for observation in the PED, rates of hospitalization and antibiotic therapy. The reduction in diagnostic tests would increase in areas with higher rates of pneumococcal vaccination

[Infants aged 3-24 months with fever without source in the emergency room: characteristics, management and outcome]. / Lactante de 3-24 meses con fiebre sin foco en urgencias: características, tratamiento y evolución posterior.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of infants aged 3-24 months admitted to a Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room with fever without source, the management of these infants and their subsequent outcome. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective survey of 733 children aged 3-24 months with fever without source admitted to our Emergency Room between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003. Subsequently, the parents of all infants diagnosed with fever without source who were managed as outpatients were telephoned to ascertain their outcome and changes in the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Onset of fever occurred less than 6 hours before arrival at the hospital in 237 episodes (32.2%). The family reported a temperature of > or = 39 degrees C in 436 episodes. Diagnoses in the Emergency Room were the following: fever without source in 677 (92.3%), urinary tract infection in 53 (7.2%) and bacterial meningitis in three (0.4 %). Fifty-five infants with an altered dipstick were excluded and complete blood count (CBC) and blood culture were performed in 66 infants (9.7%). There was a significant negative association between the probability of a request for CBC and blood culture and higher age [6-11 months vs. 3-6 months OR 0.24 (95 % CI: 0.11-0.49); > or = 12 months vs. 3-6 months, OR 0.15 (0.07-0.3)] and a significant positive association with onset more than 12 hours previously [vs. less than 6 hours OR 2.3 (1.2-4.43)] and highest temperature registered at home > 40 degrees C [vs. less than 39 degrees C OR 4.22 (1.5-11.84)]. Follow-up was completed (by telephone or readmission to the Emergency Room) in 574 infants diagnosed with fever without source and managed as outpatients. The final diagnosis differed from that made in the Emergency Room in 158 infants (27.5%), and 70 received antibiotics (12.1%). CONCLUSIONS: A considerable percentage of infants aged 3-24 months with fever without source visits the Emergency Room with very short-term processes. Patient observation is very useful in the management of these infants, since the final diagnosis differed from that made in the emergency room in nearly 30% and 12% were treated with antibiotics.

Lactante de 3-24 meses con fiebre sin foco en urgencias: características, tratamiento y evolución posterior / Infants aged 3-24 months with fever without source inthe emergency room: characteristics, management and outcome

Objetivo: Conocer las características de los lactantes de 3-24 meses que consultaron en una unidad de urgencias pediátrica hospitalaria con fiebre sin focalidad, su tratamiento y evolución posterior. Pacientes y método: Estudio retrospectivo de los 733 episodios correspondientes a los lactantes de 3 a 24 meses que consultaron por fiebre sin focalidad entre el 1 de septiembre y el 31 de diciembre de 2003. Posteriormente se contactó telefónicamente con los diagnosticados de síndrome febril sin focalidad y tratados ambulatoriamente, para conocer su evolución y diagnóstico final. Resultados: El tiempo de evolución de la fiebre hasta la consulta fue inferior a 6 h en 237 episodios (32,2 %). En 436 casos la familia refirió una temperatura mayor o igual a 39 °C. Los diagnósticos fueron: síndrome febril sin focalidad, 677 (92,3 %); infección del tracto urinario, 53 (7,2 %), y meningitis bacteriana, 3 casos (0,4 %). Excluidos los 55 niños con tira reactiva de orina alterada, se practicó analítica sanguínea y hemocultivo a 66 (9,7 %). La probabilidad de solicitar analítica se asoció negativa y significativamente con: mayor edad (6-11 meses frente a 3-6 meses; odds ratio [OR], 0,24; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 %, 0,11-0,49; >= 12 meses frente a 3-6 meses; OR, 0,15 [límites, 0,07-0,3]); y positivamente con mayor tiempo de evolución superior a 12 h (frente a < 6 h; OR, 2,3 [límites, 1,2-4,43]); y temperatura máxima registrada en casa superior a 40 °C (frente a < 39 °C; OR, 4,22 [límites, 1,5-11,84]). En 574 niños diagnosticados de síndrome febril sin focalidad que siguieron tratamiento ambulatorio se completó el seguimiento (telefónicamente o por readmisión en urgencias), variando el diagnóstico en 158 (27,5 %), y recibieron antibiótico 70 (12,1 %). Conclusiones: Un porcentaje importante de lactantes de 3-24 meses con fiebre sin focalidad consulta por procesos muy recortados. La observación continuada es un instrumento capital del tratamiento de los lactantes con síndrome febril sin focalidad, ya que alrededor del 30 % reciben un diagnóstico final diferente al inicial y el 12 %, tratamiento antibiótico

Objective: To determine the characteristics of infants aged 3-24 months admitted to a Hospital Pediatric Emergency Room with fever without source, the management of these infants and their subsequent outcome. Patients and method: We performed a retrospective survey of 733 children aged 3-24 months with fever without source admitted to our Emergency Room between September 1, 2003 and December 31, 2003. Subsequently, the parents of all infants diagnosed with fever without source who were managed as outpatients were telephoned to ascertain their outcome and changes in the final diagnosis. Results: Onset of fever occurred less than 6 hours before arrival at the hospital in 237 episodes (32.2 %). The family reported a temperature of >= 39 °C in 436 episodes. Diagnoses in the Emergency Room were the following: fever without source in 677 (92.3 %), urinary tract infection in 53 (7.2%)and bacterial meningitis in three (0.4 %). Fifty-five infants with an altered dipstick were excluded and complete blood count (CBC) and blood culture were performed in 66 infants (9.7 %). There was a significant negative association between the probability of a request for CBC and blood culture and higher age [6-11 months vs. 3-6 months OR 0.24 (95 % CI: 0.11-0.49); >= 12 months vs. 3-6 months, OR 0.15 (0.07-0.3)] and a significant positive association with onset more than 12 hours previously [vs. less than 6 hours OR 2.3 (1.2-4.43)] and highest temperature registered at home > 40 °C [vs. less than 39 °C OR 4.22 (1.5-11.84)]. Follow-up was completed (by telephone or readmission to the Emergency Room) in 574 infants diagnosed with fever without source and managed as outpatients. The final diagnosis differed from that made in the Emergency Room in 158 infants (27.5 %), and 70 received antibiotics (12.1 %). Conclusions: A considerable percentage of infants aged 3-24 months with fever without source visits the Emergency Room with very short-term processes. Patient observation is very useful in the management of these infants, since the final diagnosis differed from that made in the emergency room in nearly 30 % and 12% were treated with antibiotics

[Diagnostic yield of abdominal ultrasonography in acute appendicitis]. / Rendimiento de la ecografía abdominal en el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda.

INTRODUCTION: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the first cause of surgical abdomen in childhood but diagnosis continues to be difficult in some cases. Abdominal ultrasonography has been shown to be useful when there is doubt about the diagnosis and can be quickly and easily performed at the patient's bedside. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of abdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who visited the emergency department for abdominal pain and who underwent abdominal ultrasonography to rule out AA between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000 were retrospectively studied. RESULTS: During the study period, 4217 children were evaluated in our service for abdominal pain. Ultrasonography was performed in 528 children. Of these, the procedure was performed to rule out AA in 308 patients. Of these 308 patients who met the study's inclusion criteria, the results of ultrasonography were compatible with AA in 102 and were normal in 196. Ultrasonographic diagnosis differed from the final diagnosis in 16 patients. In eight children with ultrasonographic findings suggestive of AA, laparotomy revealed normal appendices. In the remaining eight patients, ultrasonographic findings were normal and surgery revealed AA. Based on these findings, the diagnostic yield of abdominal ultrasonography was: sensitivity: 96.6 %; specificity: 95.9 %, positive predictive value: 86 %; negative predictive value: 95.9 %. CONCLUSIONS: The overall diagnostic yield of abdominal ultrasonography in AA our hospital is acceptable. Because ultrasonographic diagnosis is not always accurate, others diagnostic methods such as computed tomography should be used in doubtful cases.

Rendimiento de la ecografía abdominal en el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda / Diagnosticyield of abdominal ultrasonography in acute appendicitis

Introducción. Aunque la apendicitis aguda es la primera causa de abdomen agudo en la infancia, el diagnóstico continúa siendo difícil en algunas ocasiones. En los casos en que existan dudas diagnósticas la ecografía abdominal es una herramienta útil, de rápida realización y accesible en la cabecera del enfermo. Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia en nuestro medio de la ecografía abdominal para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, entre el 1 de enero de 1999 y el 31 de diciembre de 2000, de todas las consultas en el servicio de urgencias por dolor abdominal indicativo de abdomen agudo, en los que se realizó una ecografía abdominal para descartar apendicitis aguda. Resultados. Consultaron en nuestro servicio 4.217 niños por dolor abdominal. Se realizó ecografía en 528 niños. De éstos, en 308 niños la exploración ecográfica se llevó a cabo para descartar el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda. De los 308 pacientes que reunieron los criterios de inclusión en el estudio, en 112 ocasiones la ecografía fue indicativa de apendicitis aguda y en 196, normal. En 16 pacientes el diagnóstico ecográfico fue discordante con el diagnóstico final. En 8 pacientes el informe ecográfico de apendicitis y laparotomía en blanco. Los otros 8 niños restantes con ecografía informada como normal y diagnóstico quirúrgico de apendicitis aguda. Con estos datos, el rendimiento global de la ecografía para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda que se obtuvo en el presente estudio se tradujo en una sensibilidad del 96,6 por ciento, especificidad del 95,9 por ciento, un valor predictivo positivo del 86 por ciento y un valor predictivo negativo del 95,9 por ciento. Conclusiones. El rendimiento global de la ecografía abdominal para el diagnóstico de apendicitis aguda en nuestro medio es aceptable. La presencia de falsos positivos y negativos, aunque mínima, obliga a valorar la utilización de otras pruebas diagnósticas (tomografía computarizada) en los casos dudosos (AU)

[Children's unscheduled return visits to an emergency department]. / Los niños que repiten consulta en urgencias de pediatría.

OBJECTIVE: To study the patients who make unscheduled return vi-sits in less than week to a pediatric emergency department (ED). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective review of 495 episodes in 233 children who were attended at our ED in November 1999. RESULTS: In November 1999, we registered 3667 episodes at our ED (495 corresponding to 233 children who made repeat visits, 13.4%). The most common chief complaints among children who revisited were fever and respiratory symptoms. The most common diagnoses were fever with-out apparent source, ORL infections, asthma and acute gastro-enteritis. The diagnoses made at the initial and fi-nal visits were the same in 131 cases (56.2%), a complication was detected in 18 (7.7%) and 84 (36.1%) were given a different diagnosis. The percentage of patients who received a symptomatic diagnosis was lower in the final visit. The admission rate of children who revisited was higher than that of children who visited our ED once (6.4% vs. 3.0%, p = 0.009), caused by the group of patients who received a different diagnosis when they revisited our ED. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who revisit a pediatric ED within a week are more likely to be admitted to the hospital, especially if the diagnosis they receive varies.

Los niños que repiten consulta en urgencias de pediatría / Children´s unscheduled return visits to an emergency department

Scanear (AU)

Tratamiento extrahospitalario de los niños con meningitis viral / Outpatient management of children with viral meningitis

OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento extrahospitalario de los niños con sospecha de meningitis viral. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Entre abril y julio de 1997, 156 niños fueron diagnosticados de meningitis viral en nuestro hospital. De éstos, 150 fueron tratados ambulatoriamente con reposo y analgésicos, tras permanecer unas horas en la unidad de observación de urgencias. En todos los casos se practicó examen citoquímico y tinción de Gram del líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR), hemograma completo y proteína C reactiva sérica, hemocultivo y cultivo del LCR para bacterias y virus. La evolución del proceso se controló mediante contacto telefónico. RESULTADOS: Todos los cultivos bacterianos practicados en sangre y LCR fueron negativos y la evolución clínica de los pacientes fue favorable. En el control telefónico posterior 104 niños (69,3 por ciento) refirieron síntomas transitorios como cefalea o molestias radiculares. De éstos últimos, 20 niños (13,3 por ciento de los 150) volvieron a consultar en nuestro servicio de urgencias, por persistencia de los síntomas o molestias radiculares, precisando 4 de ellos el ingreso en la unidad de observación durante unas horas (4-12 h). Tras el alta de urgencias, los niños faltaron al colegio una media de 5,9 ñ 6,1 días (rango, 1-30 días), y 71 (47,3 por ciento) faltaron menos de 3 días. CONCLUSIÓN: El tratamiento y seguimiento de gran parte de los niños con meningitis viral puede hacerse sin necesidad de ingreso hospitalario. En el momento del alta, es preciso dar a la familia instrucciones detalladas sobre la evolución del proceso (AU)

[Outpatient management of children with viral meningitis]. / Tratamiento extrahospitalario de los niños con meningitis viral.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in the extrahospitalary management of children with suspected viral meningitis (YM). METHOD: Between April and July 1997. 156 children were diagnosed of YM in our hospital and 150 managed as outpatients, after being a few hours in our emergency department. All of them were suspected to have VM attending usual clinical and laboratory findings and were discharged with cautious instructions to demand a new assessment. We contacted telephonically with them one month and six months later. RESULTS: All the children with suspected viral meningitis and managed as outpatients had negative blood and CSF cultures and all of them did well. Telephonically, 104 children (69.3%) referred transient headache or back pain. and 20 of these (13.3% of all the 150) came again to our hospital, and 4 required rest for a few hours (4-12 hours) in our observation setting. Children with suspected VM didn't go to school during 5.9 x 6.1 days (1-30 days) and 71 (47.3%) were absent less than 3 days. CONCLUSION: Outpatient management of most of the children with suspected VM is possible. When a patient is sent home, detailed instructions must be given to the family.