Severe diarrhea from rotavirus remains an important cause of illness in infants. In this trial, investigators in Indonesia assessed the potential benefit of a neonatal rotavirus vaccine.
Rational medication use for treatment is mandatory, particularly in children as they are vulnerable to possible hazards of drugs. Understanding the medication use pattern is of importance to identify ...the problems of drug therapy and to improve the appropriate use of medication among this population.
A post-hoc study of the RV3-BB Phase IIb trial to children aged 0-18 months which was conducted in Indonesia during January 2013 to July 2016. Any concomitant medication use and health events among 1621 trial participants during the 18 months of follow-up were documented. Information on medication use included the frequency, formulation, indication, duration of usage, number of regimens, medication types, and therapeutic classes.
The majority of participants (N = 1333/1621; 82.2%) used at least one non-antibiotic medication for treatment during the 18-month observation period. A total of 7586 medication uses were recorded, mostly in oral formulation (90.5%). Of all illnesses recorded, 24.7% were treated with a single drug regimen of non-antibiotic medication. The most common therapeutic classes used were analgesics/antipyretics (30.1%), antihistamines for systemic use (17.4%), cough and cold preparations (13.5%), vitamins (8.6%), and antidiarrheals (6.6%). The main medication types used were paracetamol (29.9%), chlorpheniramine (16.8%), guaifenesin (8.9%), zinc (4.6%), and ambroxol (4.1%). Respiratory system disorder was the most common reason for medication use (51.9%), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (19.2%), pyrexia (16.9%), and skin disorders (7.0%).
A large number of children were exposed to at least one medication during their early life, including those where evidence of efficacy and safety in a pediatric population is lacking. This supports the need for further research on pediatric drug therapy to improve the appropriate use of medication in this population.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ImportanceCOVID-19 mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis has previously been described; however specific features in the adolescent population are currently not well understood.ObjectiveTo describe ...myocarditis adverse events following immunisation reported following any COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in the adolescent population in Victoria, Australia.DesignStatewide, population-based study.SettingSurveillance of Adverse Events Following Vaccination in the Community (SAEFVIC) is the vaccine-safety service for Victoria, Australia.ParticipantsAll SAEFVIC reports of myocarditis and myopericarditis in 12–17-year-old COVID-19 mRNA vaccinees submitted between 22 February 2021 and 22 February 2022, as well as accompanying diagnostic investigation results where available, were assessed using Brighton Collaboration criteria for diagnostic certainty.ExposuresAny mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.Main outcomes/MmeasureConfirmed myocarditis as per Brighton Collaboration criteria (levels 1–3).ResultsClinical review demonstrated definitive (Brighton level 1) or probable (level 2) diagnoses in 75 cases. Confirmed myocarditis reporting rates were 8.3 per 100 000 doses in this age group. Cases were predominantly male (n=62, 82.7%) and post dose 2 (n=61, 81.3%). Rates peaked in the 16–17-year-old age group and were higher in males than females (17.7 vs 3.9 per 100 000, p=<0.001).The most common presenting symptoms were chest pain, dyspnoea and palpitations. A large majority of cases who had a cardiac MRI had abnormalities (n=33, 91.7%). Females were more likely to have ongoing clinical symptoms at 1-month follow-up (p=0.02).ConclusionAccurate evaluation and confirmation of episodes of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis enabled understanding of clinical phenotypes in the adolescent age group. Any potential vaccination and safety surveillance policies needs to consider age and gender differences.
Background and objective: Refugees in Australia present with conditions different to those of the general population. The aim of this study was to review the reasons for referral, prevalence of ...conditions and treatment outcomes for refugee patients attending a specialist referral clinic in regional Victoria.
Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients attending the refugee health clinic at University Hospital Geelong from January 2007 to December 2012.
Results: Two hundred and ninety-one refugee patients attended the clinic over the six-year period. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) (54.6%), vitamin deficiencies (15.8%), hepatitis B (11%) and schistosomiasis (11%) were the most common diagnoses. Less than two-thirds of the patients completed LTBI treatment; 35.4% of patients attended all scheduled clinic appointments.
Discussion: LTBI, vitamin deficiencies, parasitic infections and hepatitis B were the most common diagnoses among refugees referred to the University Hospital Geelong (UHG) Refugee Health Clinic from January 2007 to December 2012. General practitioners play an important role in the care of refugees, guiding referral to specialist services when necessary and recognising the potential implications of suboptimal clinic attendance and treatment completion.
BACKGROUND Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major contributor to neonatal sepsis worldwide. Late-onset group B Streptococcus disease (LOGBS) and its risk factors remain poorly understood. The ...isolation of GBS from breast milk has been described in cases of LOGBS. This potential association has raised concerns for mothers and clinicians regarding the safety of ongoing breastfeeding. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether exposure to breast milk is associated with increased risk of LOGBS. METHODS A case-control study of LOGBS was conducted across 4 hospital networks in Victoria, Australia, including the 2 major tertiary pediatric centers in the state, to evaluate 11 years of data (2007–2017). Cases were captured initially from microbiology databases and recaptured with International Classification of Diseases discharge coding. Each case patient was matched with 4 controls to assess feeding status. Patients were matched for chronological age, gestation, discharge status, recruitment site, and calendar year. RESULTS We identified 92 cases of LOGBS: 73 cases on initial capture and 76 cases on the recapture analysis. Case patients were matched with 368 controls: 4 controls to each patient. Seventy-two patients were exposed to breast milk at the time of LOGBS (78.3%), compared with 274 controls (74.5%; odds ratio 1.2 95% confidence interval 0.7–2.3). CONCLUSIONS Breastfeeding was not associated with increased risk of LOGBS. Breast milk should not be tested for GBS during a first episode of LOGBS.
Aim
Strict public health measures during the COVID‐19 pandemic led to less support for infants and their parents. We aimed to characterise the frequency and nature of infant admissions to the Royal ...Children's Hospital (RCH), Melbourne in 2020, compared to the previous year.
Methods
A retrospective review of medical records identified infants ≤3 months admitted to the general medicine unit, RCH from March to September in 2019 and 2020. Diagnoses potentially related to the impact of public health measures and reduced family and community supports were identified and compared to all infant diagnoses across both years. Clinical characteristics and need for referral for additional supports or mental health services were also ascertained.
Results
There were fewer admissions for infants ≤3 months in 2020 (n = 411) compared to 2019 (n = 678), with a threefold increase in admissions with a primary or secondary diagnosis of feeding difficulties, growth disturbance, infant irritability or maternal mental health concerns (191/411; 46% vs. 97/678; 14%). There were more infants of first‐time parents (112/191; 59% vs. 44/97; 45%) and a reduction in the number of admissions due to infection (145/411; 35%; vs. 467/678; 69%).
Conclusion
During the COVID‐19 pandemic, there was a threefold increase in admissions for infants ≤3 months due to poor growth, feeding difficulties, irritability and maternal mental health concerns in 2020 compared to 2019. These findings may inform future pandemic planning and policy development to ensure maintenance of community supports such as maternal child health nurse (MCHN) service delivery for young infants.
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