Severe polyneuropathy in a 3-year-old child after dichlorophenoxyacetic herbicide--chwastox intoxication, treated successfully with plasmapheresis (PF).

The clinical picture of intoxication with dichlorophenoxy acetic herbicides is well recognised in adults and some treatment recommendations are established. To the best of our knowledge there is scarcity of well documented cases of intoxication with this substance in children. Our report describes the clinical picture of Chwastox intoxication in a 3-year-old child. Some similarities and differences between adults and children are discussed, as well as the indications for plasmapheresis, which could be a valuable mode of treatment in such cases.

[Long-standing remission following relapse in Hodgkin's disease in 2 children]. / Dluga remisja po wznowie ziarnicy zlosliwej u dwojga dzieci.

Combined three-drug (case I) and four-drug (case II) therapy and radiation was applied for control of relapse in two children with Hodgkin's disease. Remission was maintained with chemotherapy type MVPP (9 courses of treatment) and vinblastin administered between these courses. The survival is 106 months in one case and 90 months in another and the time from beginning of treatment of recurrence is 78 and 81 months respectively. The observation after the end of treatment is 31 and 43 months respectively.

Treatment failures and severe complications in children with Hodgkin's disease.

Therapy failures and severe complications in the treatment of 46 children affected with Hodgkin's disease are reported. All children were treated with polychemotherapy (modified MVPP scheme) and radiotherapy (high voltage therapy X-ray 210 KV; involved field radiotherapy). 42 patients came into a complete remission, with a median of 58 months in 37 patients (10--97 months). 6 patients 14.3%) suffered from a recidive, 5 of them came into a second remission. Life-threatening infections appeared in 3 patients. After 9 MVPP cycles an encephalopathy appeared in 2 boys, one of them died. After local radiotherapy a severe laryngitis developed in two patients. An azoospermia existed in 6 adolescent boys examined.

MVPP chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease in children.

Thirty-four children with Hodgkin's disease were treated during the years 1969--75. After radiotherapy, 7--15 cycles of MVPP were given within 24--53 months. In order to avoid chronic leukopenia, leukocyte counts were made frequently during chemotherapy, and the drug doses adjusted accordingly. A complete remission was obtained in 32 of the 34 children. Two patients died because of progressive disease. Twelve of the 32 survivors have been followed for at least 5 years, and a further 12 for at least 3 years. Three children are still on chemotherapy, whereas the remaining 29 being followed are in continued complete remission.