Suivi des recommandations de prise en charge pédiatrique de l'infection maternofœtale : enquête au sein du réseau de soins périnatals de la métropole lilloise

Neonatal early-onset infection has been recognized as a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, in spite of recent improvement in perinatal care. In France, Anaes guidelines were published in 2002.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate paediatricians' knowledge about these official guidelines in Lille's perinatal network.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Every network's paediatrician, working in a hospital maternity or in a neonatology unit received a questionnaire, to evaluate his knowledge about early onset sepsis diagnosis, indication and type of per partum antibiotherapy, and immediate neonatal care, according to perinatal factors.

RESULTS

Response rate was 55%. Thirty-five per cent of paediatricians underestimated gastric sample's diagnostic role and 41% prescribed a triple antibiotherapy. Duration of antibiotic treatment was too long in 56% of cases. Biologic tests were prescribed in excess in 71% of cases when a streptoccocal B mother's colonization was present. Per partum antibiotherapy was appropriated in only 29% of responses.

CONCLUSION

This study underlines imperfect official guidelines' knowledge, leading to ecological, bacterial, and economical consequences.

[Life-threatening Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia, in an infant returning from the tropics]

INTRODUCTION

Severe falciparum malaria is a polymorphous life-threatening disease. Hyperparasitemia is rare among non-immune children returning from tropical areas. CARE REPORT: We report a case of an infant returning from Ivory Coast who presented with fever, prostration and marked thrombocytopenia (22,000 platelets/mm(3)). Blood slide showed Plasmodium falciparum ring forms. Parasite density dramatically increased from 1.7% to 45%, and the child developed several features of severe malaria, according to WHO definition.

CONCLUSION

In this non-immune infant, prostration and thrombopocytopenia seemed to be earlier predictors of severity than hyperparasitemia and other WHO criteria, which have not been yet validated in travelling children.

Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis

We report the first case of Haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS) associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis. This supports a common pathogenic mechanism in HUS following infections by neuraminidase-producing organisms and in pneumococcal meningitis. We recommend that HUS must be considered in cases of renal failure and/or anaemia associated with pneumococcal meningitis, and that bacterial meningitis be considered in all patients with HUS and central nervous system involvement.

[Value of C-reactive protein assay in severe infectious purpura in children]

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) values were obtained in 24 children with infectious purpura: 8 were not shocked and survived, 10 were shocked and survived, 6 were shocked and died. On admission, mean CRP levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.001) in shocked patients who died (69 +/- 27 mg/l) than in shocked patients who survived (209 +/- 60 mg/l). In shocked patients the predictive value for death of a CRP level below 100 mg/l was 83%. The predictive value for survival of a CRP level above 100 mg/l was 90%. Steadily high values of CRP beyond the 8th day seem to be related to severe necrosis rather than to an unsuccessful treatment or superinfection.

Plasma fibronectin in severe infectious purpura of children

Plasma fibronectin levels were determined in 34 children admitted with severe infectious purpura. Fibronectin concentration was decreased in severe infectious purpura as in other sepsis, but there was no significant difference between shock and nonshock patients. Fibronectin levels were lower in children with ecchymotic or necrotic purpura on admission than in those with petechial purpura; they were lower in those who developed cutaneous sequelae, but it is not known if correction of fibronectin deficiency may limit the extent of purpura and prevent the cutaneous sequelae.

Bacterial croup and toxic shock syndrome

An 8-year-old boy with bacterial tracheitis, treated by endotracheal intubation, humidification, airway toilet and antibiotics, experienced a toxic shock syndrome on the day after his admission. The course was favourable. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from tracheal secretions. Bacterial tracheitis is an infrequent cause of non-menstrual toxic shock syndrome. The diagnosis of bacterial tracheitis should be suspected in a child with toxicity and croup who is not responding to the usual therapy. Endoscopy should be performed allowing for removal of the secretions. The maintenance of a clear airway is the main purpose of the treatment.

[A rare cause of hydrocephalus in an infant: chronic vitamin A poisoning]

A case of chronic vitamin A intoxication is reported in an infant under 6 months of age. The features included hydrocephalus, usually described in acute hypervitaminosis A and the other cutaneous, hepatic and skeletal signs observed in chronic intoxication.

[Tetanus. Apropos a case]

The authors report a case of tetanus in a 19 months infant who has only received BCG. After a four days period during which two laryngeal spasms occurred, the infant presents a generalized tetanus. The outcome was favorable with specific serotherapy myorelaxants and assisted ventilation of four weeks duration.