[Prevalence of hepatitis B infection in institutions for the mentally retarded. Epidemiologic characteristics in the province of Vizcaya]. / Prevalencia de infección por el virus de la hepatitis B en instituciones de deficientes mentales. Características epidemiológicas en la provincia de Vizcaya.

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was studied in 346 subjects (148 employees and 198 mentally retarded) in four institutions for the mentally subnormal in Vizcaya-Spain. The prevalence of markers in the overall group was 32.6%; 13.5% in the employees and 46.9% in the mentally retarded. Early age and institutionalization time increases the risk of infection in the mentally retarded group, but not in the employees group. 220 subjects (118 employees and 102 mentally retarded) had negative HBV markers and were vaccinated with recombinant-DNA hepatitis B vaccine. The immunogenicity was 80% and the weight-height index the only factor implicit in the group of subjects no seroconverters. The reactogenicity of vaccine was 6.7%.

[Mortality and morbidity in very low birth weight infants in the Basque Country and Navarra (2001-2006): population-based study]. / Mortalidad y morbilidad de neonatos de muy bajo peso asistidos en el País Vasco y Navarra (2001-2006): estudio de base poblacional.

INTRODUCTION: This study describes very low birth weight (VLBW) infant morbidity and mortality in Basque Country and Navarra neonatal units between the years 2001-2006, and evaluates the factors that affect the mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive observational study of a cohort of 1,318 VLBW infants in neonatal units in five Basque Country and Navarra hospitals between 2001 and 2006. A total of 37 variables included in EuroNeoNet database were collected as regards, perinatal risk and protective factors, demographic characteristics, length of stay, interventions, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 94% of pregnant women received prenatal care and 78.7% antenatal steroids. In both cases there was a significant increase during the period studied. A total of 42% of pregnancies were multiple and in 63% delivery was by Caesarean section. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia statistically significantly decreased from 20% to 15%. The incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage grade III or IV was 7.5% and for periventricular leukomalacia it was 3.1%. Vertical infection was diagnosed in 4% of infants and sepsis or late meningitis in 25%, necrotizing enterocolitis in 9% and patent ductus arteriosus in 14% of the infants. The prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with indometacin or ibuprofen decreased significantly during the study. The overall rate of total, late and first day neonatal mortality was almost constant during this period of time. Nevertheless, the early neonatal mortality showed a decreasing trend and with a significant difference between sexes, being higher in males. CONCLUSION: This population-based study provides valuable information on clinical outcomes in NICUs, and may help in planning strategies to improve health care quality, and to reduce the morbidity and mortality in these neonates at high risk.

[Appendiceal peritonitis in childhood, antibiotic treatment with cefoxitin]. / Peritonitis apendicular en la infancia. Tratamiento antibiótico con cefoxitina.

Twenty one cases of appendiceal peritonitis in children are reviewed. An antibiotic (sodium cefoxitine) has been used during the post-operative course to decrease the risk of suppurative complications. Cultures obtained from peritoneal exudate yielded "E. coli" and "Bacteroides" sp. as the most commonly isolated bacteria. External drainage was placed as a rutine and the percentage of suppurative complications was 14%. No patient showed evidence of adverse reactions to the antibiotic and the mortality of the serie was zero. Obtained results allow to state that cefoxitine is effective in the management of appendiceal peritonitis in children.

Newborn universal immunisation against hepatitis B: immunogenicity and reactogenicity of simultaneous administration of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP) and oral polio vaccines with hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 2 and 6 months of age.

The reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the administration of recombinant vaccine against hepatitis B simultaneously (but at separate sites) with diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP) and oral polio vaccines were examined. Six hundred and twenty-six children (group I) were given hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 2 and 6 months of age; the other vaccines were administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A control group of 731 children (group II) received only DTP and oral polio vaccines. The results showed that 93% of the infants in group I had anti-HBs titres above the protective level ( > or = 10 mIU ml-1) after vaccination. There were no differences in the immune responses for DTP and polio between the two study groups. The vaccine efficacy against poliomyelitis was 96% for serotype I, 100% for serotype II and 97-98% for serotype III. Of the infants in both groups, 97% had antibodies against B. pertussis; all children were positive for tetanus and diphtheria. There were no differences in the incidences of general reactions between groups. Local swelling and redness were reported following 4.2 and 4.4%, respectively, of all injections of hepatitis B vaccine. These reactions were reported following 31 and 33%, respectively, of all doses of DTP vaccine. It can be concluded that the simultaneous administration of hepatitis B vaccine with the DTP and polio vaccines is well-tolerated; hepatitis B vaccine remained highly immunogenic and did not interfere with the immune response to the other antigens.

[Vertical transmission of hepatitis B]. / Hepatitis B de transmisión vertical.

Five cases of perinatal HBV infections of vertical transmission (mother-child) are reported. The authors comments the most important clinical and epidemiological characteristics of this way of transmission in paediatrics patients and emphasized the interest that has the screening in pregnant women. Finally, the guide-lines of neonatal prophylaxis recommended is described.

[The immunogenicity of vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio administered orally on the vaccinal calendar at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months and their coadministration with a hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 2 and 6 months]. / Inmunogenicidad de las vacunas contra la difteria, tétanos, pertusis y polio oral administradas en el calendario vacunal a la edad de 2, 4 y 6 meses y en su coadministración con la vacuna contra la hepatitis B a los 0, 2 y 6 meses.

The immunogenicity of oral diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, (DPT) and polio vaccines was examined. Six hundred seventy-seven children (Group I) were given hepatitis B vaccine at 0, 2, and 6 months of age and the oral DPT-polio vaccines were administered at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A control group of 731 children (Group II) received only oral DPT-polio vaccines. In both groups the vaccine efficacy against poliomyelitis was 96% for serotype I and 100% for serotype II. For serotype III, the vaccine efficacy was 98% and 97% for groups I and II, respectively. In both groups 97% of the children had antibodies against B. pertussis and all children were positive for tetanus and diphtheria. No immune interference between the oral DPT and polio vaccines and the hepatitis B vaccine when they were given simultaneously could be demonstrated as the immune response to the DPT and polio vaccines were identical in both groups. It can be concluded that the simultaneous administration of the hepatitis B vaccine with the DPT and polio vaccines did not interfere with the immune response to the other antigens.

[Spirometric values in healthy children of the urban area of the Basque Autonomic Community]. / Valores espirométricos en niños sanos de un área urbana de la Comunidad Autónoma Vasca.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to obtain spirometric reference values for children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a transversal study in schools in Bilbao of children of both sexes that were between 7 and 14 years of age, non-smokers and healthy (according to a questionnaire and physical examination). A sample of 657 subjects was calculated based on the standard deviations of height for each sex and age group. The sample units were the schools and they were selected randomly. The following data were collected: age, sex, weight, height, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FEC, PEF, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 and FEF25-75. Forced spirometry was carried out according to the ATS guidelines by using a MasterScreen model 4.10.b (Jaeger, Germany). A descriptive statistical study was performed, as well as a normality test and linear regression. RESULTS: We studied 765 subjects (415 boys and 350 girls). The natural logarithm of the spirometric variables was taken to obtain a Gaussian distribution. These variables were related to age, weight and height. The relationship improved when associated with sex, with the best association being between height and sex. The equations obtained were only valid for FVC and FEV1, and were as follows: in boys FVC(L) = -1.968 + 0.020 height and FEV1(L) = -1.831 + 0.018 height and for girls FVC(L) = -1.879 + 0.019 height and FEV1(L) = -1.809 + 0.018 height [R2 = 0.893, 0.891, 0.868 and 0.871, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric reference values for forced spirometry were established for our population, complying with the current applicable guidelines.