Childhood brucellosis: a study of 102 cases.

One hundred two children, 45 days to 14 years of age, with proven brucellosis were studied to illustrate the epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory findings and to assess the outcome of antimicrobial therapy. The main source of infection was the consumption of raw milk in 80% of the patients. The predominant presenting symptoms and signs were fever, arthralgia, malaise, weight loss, arthritis, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Brucella melitensis was isolated from 75% of 87 patients. Diverse hematologic and biochemical abnormalities were found. Different durations and combinations of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or tetracycline plus streptomycin or rifampin were used for therapy. Eight-five patients were followed for an average of 14 months. Twelve (85.7%) of 14 patients treated with two-antibiotic combinations for 3 weeks relapsed, as did 5 (8%) of 62 patients treated for at least 6 weeks (P less than 0.001). No relapses occurred in 9 patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin for 8 to 12 weeks plus streptomycin for the first 3 weeks. Longer duration and combination of antibiotic therapy seem warranted to improve outcome and to prevent relapses.

Septicaemia in febrile neutropenic children with cancer in Saudi Arabia.

The pattern of sepsis among 56 children admitted for various forms of cancer to the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during a 6-year period, was retrospectively reviewed. A total of 148 febrile neutropenic episodes occurred and 55 of these, in 40 patients, were associated with positive blood cultures. The isolates were Gram-positive bacteria in 54% of instances, Gram-negative bacteria in 39.4% and Candida in 6.6% and polymicrobial sepsis occurred in five patients. Profound neutropenia (neutrophil counts less than 0.1 x 10(9) l-1) significantly predisposed to Gram-negative sepsis (P less than 0.02), which was responsible for about one-third of deaths in this series. Central venous catheters were present prior to 49% of the septicaemic episodes, but were not significantly associated with either increased Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacterial sepsis. However, all four cases of candidaemia occurred in patients with a central venous catheter in situ, and it is recommended that early empirical treatment for candida be considered in all febrile neutropenic cancer patients with central venous catheters.

The impact of the Gulf armed conflict on the health and behaviour of Kuwaiti children.

This study deals with the psychological reactions of Kuwaiti children to war-related stresses in the early period of the Gulf crisis following the summer 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. A sample of 106 children was drawn from Kuwaiti displaced families and a comparable control sample was obtained from Saudi families in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An interview checklist of symptoms of physical and psychological distress was administered to the index child and a female key informant in each household of cases and controls. Most Kuwaiti children were exposed to unpleasant war experiences. It was found that Kuwaiti children exhibited a substantially greater degree of dysfunctional social and emotional behaviour. The types of adverse behaviours were a function of the child's age, sex and experience of aggression. The findings support the notion that a negative relationship exists between armed conflict and the health and behaviour of the children. The complex needs of children exposed to violence require professionals to seek ways of combining psychodynamic interventions and relief programmes.

Febrile seizures: rate and risk factors of recurrence.

The rate of recurrence of febrile seizures and the factors predictive of a recurrence were prospectively examined in a cohort of 98 Saudi children who presented consecutively with their first febrile seizure at the pediatric emergency department of the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Children with prior afebrile seizures or evidence of a neurodevelopmental deficit were excluded. The median age was 15 months (range, 4 to 60 months). Of the 98 children, 72 had simple and 26 had complex initial febrile seizures. In a follow-up of 3 to 6 years (mean, 49 months), 26% of the 98 untreated children had at least one recurrence and only 8% had more than three recurrent febrile seizures; 30% of first recurrences took place within 3 months, 60% within 6 months, 72% within 12 months, and 96% within 24 months of the onset. Four major risk factors for recurrent febrile seizures were identified: early age at onset (< 12 months), first-degree consanguinity of parents, epilepsy in a first-degree relative, and complex initial febrile seizure. Gender, family history of febrile seizures, and degree of fever were not related to recurrence.

Risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth in a Saudi population.

Preterm birth (< 37 weeks completed gestation), the primary predictor of infant morbidity and mortality, can result from diverse biologic and sociodemographic variables. A case-control study was undertaken to determine risk factors that were significantly associated with preterm birth in our population. Pertinent data were collected by structured interviews with eligible subjects and by medical record abstraction. The study population consisted of 118 mothers of singleton, preterm, appropriate for gestational age infants (cases) and 118 mothers of singleton, term, appropriate for gestational age infants (controls). A multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that significant risk factors for preterm birth were first or second trimester vaginal bleeding during current pregnancy, a previous preterm birth, inadequate prenatal care, consanguinity, maternal body mass index of < 23, and short inter-pregnancy interval. Awareness of such risk factors is essential in planning public education programs and in considering appropriate perinatal care options for women at potentially higher risk for preterm delivery.

Management of acute childhood diarrhoea in Saudi Arabia: practices versus the WHO recommendations.

The fluid management of 247 infants and children who were admitted to King Fahad Hospital at Al Baha, Saudi Arabia with acute diarrhoea was reviewed. Half of them were infants and 25% were exclusively breast fed. Although dehydration was mild in 149 (60.3%) patients and 227 (92.7%) were at the most moderately dehydrated, as many as 95.8% were given intravenous (IV) hydration at least initially. This indicates that the WHO recommendation to prescribe oral rehydrating solution (ORS) for the control of diarrhoeal diseases, is still not implemented at some of the regional hospitals in Saudi Arabia, and emphasizes the need for urgent and effective efforts to rectify this situation.

PIP: Acute diarrhea remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among infants and children in developing countries accounting for up to 20% of admissions to pediatric wards in Saudi Arabia. Oral rehydration therapy is recognized by the WHO as being a safe and effective way to treat this manifestation of infectious disease, but many physicians are reluctant to adopt its practice. 247 of the infants and children admitted to King Fahad Hospital at Al Baha, Saudi Arabia between July 1, 1990 and June 30, 1991, suffered from acute diarrhea. This paper reviews the fluid management of these patients to determine whether and to what extent WHO guidelines are being followed. Half of the patients were infants and 25% were exclusively breastfed. The mean duration of diarrhea at the time of presentation was 3.8 days in a range of 1-8 days. Although only mild dehydration was observed in 149 of the patients and moderate dehydration in 227, 95.8% were nonetheless given intravenous hydration initially for the first 24 hours. These findings suggest that the WHO recommendation to prescribe oral rehydration solution to control diarrheal diseases is not being implemented at some regional hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Physician's perceptions of fever in children. Facts and myths.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the knowledge and attitude of physicians, regarding fever in children. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 600 randomly selected pediatricians, family practice physicians, emergency medicine physicians and general practitioners, who practice in Saudi Arabia. Appropriateness of responses to questions was determined on the basis of current medical literature. A rectal temperature of 38.0 degrees C is generally accepted as indicative of fever in children. RESULTS: Of the 600 physicians surveyed, 419 (70%) completed and returned the questionnaire; 17% of the physicians were consultants, 28% specialists and 55% general practitioners. Fifty-eight percent of the physicians had 10 years or more of experience. A rectal temperature of less than 38.0 degrees C was considered to indicate fever by 38% of physicians. Nearly 84% of physicians would initiate antipyretic therapy at a temperature of 38.5 degrees C or less and 56% cited a temperature of 40.0 degrees C or less to be dangerous. Only 5% believed that fever was not dangerous, while the remaining cited the principal danger of fever to be convulsions (69%), brain damage (35%), or death (8%). The responses to the main purpose of antipyretic treatment were to prevent convulsions (70%), to make the child comfortable (55%) and to prevent brain damage (29%). Approximately 53% of physicians reported that the most serious consequences of febrile convulsions were brain damage, learning disability, epilepsy, or death. Only 26% of physicians agreed that a sleeping child with fever should be left undisturbed. Approximately 25% advised inappropriate dosage or administration intervals of paracetamol. Almost all physicians recommended sponging or bathing to reduce fever. All respondents try to educate parents regarding fever and its management. CONCLUSION: A significant number of the surveyed physicians have demonstrated a serious lack of knowledge of the nature, dangers and management of an extremely common health problem. Physicians differ substantially in their knowledge of, and attitude toward fever in children, which is perhaps attributed to their different background in medical education and clinical training.

Parental perceptions of fever in children.

BACKGROUND: Fever is a common medical problem in children which often prompts parents to seek immediate medical care. The objective of this study was to survey parents about their knowledge and attitude concerning fever in their children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved the random selection of Saudi parents who brought their febrile children to the emergency rooms or walk-in clinics of four hospitals in Riyadh. Parents of 560 febrile children were interviewed using a standard questionnaire to obtain sociodemographic information and current knowledge of fever. Approximately 70% of the respondents were female, and the ages of the most were in the range of 20-40 years. More than 80% of the parents had two or more children. RESULTS: More than 70% of parents demonstrated a poor understanding of the definition of fever, high fever, maximum temperature of untreated fever, and threshold temperature warranting antipyresis. About 25% of parents considered temperatures less than 38.0 o C to be fever, another 25% did not know the definition of fever, 64% felt that temperatures of less than 40.0 o C could be dangerous to a child, and 25% could not define high fever. Another 23% believed that if left untreated, temperatures could rise to 42.0 o C or higher, but 37% could not provide an answer, and 62% did not know the minimum temperature for administering antipyretics. Approximately 95% of parents demonstrated undue fear of consequent body damage from fever, including convulsion, brain damage or stroke, coma, serious vague illness, blindness, and even death. CONCLUSION: Parental misconceptions about fever reflect the lack of active health education in our community. Health professionals have apparently not done enough to educate parents on the condition of fever and its consequences, a common problem.

Non-group A streptococci: are they pathogens in the throat?

A total of 3,184 paediatric patients with sporadic pharyngitis was studied at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, 478 children without pharyngitis who were matched for age and sex were included as controls. Group A beta-haemolytic streptococci (beta HS) were detected significantly more often among the children with pharyngitis than among the controls (8.4% vs 2.3%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, total non-group A and group C beta HS were isolated at lower frequency from the sick than control children (0.9% vs 2.5% and 0.2% vs 1.2% respectively; p < 0.01) while other non-group A beta HS such as groups B, G and F were each isolated in similar frequency from both the sick and control children. We conclude that non-group A beta HS appear not to be as important as aetiological agents of sporadic pharyngitis in these children.

Unusual suppurative complications of brucellosis in children.

Three cases with suppurative complications of Brucella melitensis infection are presented, demonstrating localized involvement of the brain, bones and lungs, respectively, and the lesions were well defined on radiographic examination. The diagnosis was made on the basis of significant Brucella titres and positive blood culture. Awareness of such complications and performance of the appropriate serological and bacteriological studies will establish the diagnosis and will also differentiate this disease from other infections, especially tuberculosis.

Reactogenicity and safety of meningococcal A and C vaccine in Saudi children.

During an outbreak caused by group A Neisseria meningitidis in March 1992, groups A and C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine was administered to 1,168 children aged from 2 to 18 years. Parents were surveyed to ascertain reactions of children to the vaccine and development of invasive group A meningococcal disease after immunization. The most common reactions were mild local pain (21.9%), erythema (12.2%), and swelling at the injection site (7.2%). Only 1.7% of the children experienced fever and 3.7% displayed irritability. The vaccine was well tolerated and all adverse reactions disappeared within 24-48 hours of immunization. No cases of meningitis or sepsis caused by group A meningococci were seen in the 1st 12 months of observation among the vaccinated children.

Acute rheumatic fever during childhood in Saudi Arabia.

During a 5-year period ending in December 1989, 73 episodes of acute rheumatic fever in 67 children aged 4-14 years were prospectively studied to ascertain the clinical profile of the disease in initial attacks and recurrences, and to compare the findings with those from other countries. Among 51 children with a first episode of acute rheumatic fever, 76% had arthritis and 43% had carditis. In 22 children with recurrences, arthritis was present in 45% and carditis in 91%. Carditis was more severe among the cases with recurrences. Mitral insufficiency was the most common valvular lesion, but no case of mitral stenosis was detected. Chorea, subcutaneous nodules, and Erythema marginatum were relatively rare. The demographic, clinical and laboratory findings of this study resemble those from Western countries, in contrast with data from tropical countries. Efforts aimed at prompt recognition and adequate treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis and maintenance of anti-streptococcal chemoprophylaxis would be rewarding in reducing the incidence of this disease and its sequelae.

Clinical and therapeutic features of childhood neurobrucellosis.

Brucellosis is a multisystem disease with diverse clinical presentations, and involvement of the nervous system is considered to be rare in childhood. Five children with meningitis (n=2), meningoencephalitis (n=1), meningomyelitis (n=1), or cerebellar ataxia (n=1) are described, all of whom had a history of exposure to a possible source of brucellosis. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis in 4 patients, high protein concentration in 5 and low glucose concentration in 3. Reciprocal brucella agglutination titers were significantly elevated in serum (> or = 160) and in CSF (> or = 80) of all patients. Brucella melitensis was isolated from blood and CSF in one patient, from blood only in 2, and from bone marrow only in another one. All patients were treated successfully by a three-drug combination of streptomycin (4 patients) or doxycycline (one patient) with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and rifampin, and in one patient dexamethasone was also added. In endemic areas, neurobrucellosis should be suspected in the evaluation of patients with unexplained neurologic symptoms.

Lumbar puncture in the clinical evaluation of children with seizures associated with fever.

This study was prospectively conducted to determine the frequency and yield of lumbar punctures performed in children with fever and seizures and to identify the criteria that were used by emergency physicians in selecting patients for this diagnostic procedure. During the five-year period from 1988 to 1992, 200 previously healthy children aged three months to five years were brought consecutively to the pediatric emergency department, after their seizure associated with fever. Lumbar puncture was performed in 51% of the cases and resulted in the detection of seven (3.5%) cases of meningitis, three (1.5%) of which were bacterial. An age less than 18 months, a febrile illness lasting over 48 hours, suspicious symptoms and signs of meningitis, and complex seizure features had significant influence on the decision of performing a lumbar puncture. Most children with meningitis had lethargy, irritability, and vomiting, and all had complex seizure features.