Predicting Pediatric Pneumonia Severity in the ED: A New Multinational Model from PERN

By |2025-05-20T15:42:00-04:00May 27th, 2025|Infectious Diseases|

A new multinational PERN study developed a pragmatic clinical prediction model to assess pediatric pneumonia severity in the ED. Using eight bedside variables, the model accurately distinguishes mild from moderate or severe disease, supporting better disposition decisions and resource use. It performed well across diverse global emergency care settings.

Parvo Podcast! Erythema Infectiosum, Fifth Disease, and more!

By |2025-04-30T12:50:31-04:00May 1st, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

Parvovirus B19 is back on your differential. Best known for causing fifth disease, this common pediatric virus can also trigger aplastic crises, fetal complications, and chronic anemia in immunocompromised patients. In this episode of PEM Currents, we explore its clinical spectrum, diagnostic nuances, and management strategies—plus a reminder on when kids are (and aren’t) contagious.

Podcast Episode: The Unvaccinated Child with Fever

By |2025-04-30T12:30:52-04:00April 4th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

This episode of PEM Currents: The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Podcast focuses on the approach to unvaccinated or undervaccinated children aged 3–36 months presenting to the ED with fever. Host Brad Sobolewski reviews differences in immune response, risk for serious and invasive bacterial infections, and outlines evaluation strategies including labs, imaging, and empiric antibiotics. He highlights data showing increased interventions in this population and calls for local guideline development. The episode emphasizes thoughtful, individualized care in the context of rising vaccine hesitancy and declining immunization rates.

The Mycoplasma Comeback: Why This Atypical Pneumonia is Back – A PEMCurrents Podcast

By |2025-03-03T14:44:09-05:00March 4th, 2025|Infectious Diseases, Podcasts|

In this podcast episode we dive into the resurgence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae—an atypical bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia that’s making waves in pediatric emergency medicine. We’ll cover its clinical presentation, epidemiology, diagnostic approach, and management, including why standard beta-lactam antibiotics won’t work. Plus, we’ll discuss whether M. pneumoniae even needs to be treated in the first place!

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