Should we be prescribing probiotics for gastroenteritis?
Learn about two recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine that called into question the use of specific probiotic formulations in children with gastroenteritis.
A discussion about probiotics for gastroenteritis with David Schnadower
Check out this in-depth interview with the lead author on the recent New England Journal paper on the use of probiotics in gastroenteritis. David Schnadower was kind enough to sit down with me and James Gray, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow from Cincinnati Children's to talk about the study and its implications for the care of children with infectious gastroenteritis.
Romaine calm! Some information about E. coli O157:H7
The recent report of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 secondary to romaine lettuce may to to parental fears - specifically hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Fortunately the risk of transmission is low. But, just in case you have someone who is worried and seeking reassurance - or actually needs a work up I wanted to provide some information.
A podcast on acute flaccid myelitis
Acute Flaccid Myelitis is a rare but serious disease characterized by rapid onset of muscle weakness. Diagnosis also requires an MRI with lesions in multiple spinal levels or CSF pleocytosis. cases have been reported over the past several years and though a specific cause is unknown strains of enterovirus are suspected culprits.
Does that baby with a virus also have a bacterial infection?
Stop what you’re doing and read this fantastic post from don’t forget the bubbles. It details a large study that looks at bacterial co-infection rates in infants with viruses.
Read this! Urinalysis characteristics in febrile UTIs
Let's explore the accuracy of urinalysis for urinary tract infections in febrile infants 60 days and younger shall we?
Don’t wear ear buds to listen to this podcast if you have otitis externa
Warning - swimming pool related puns ahead...
Briefs: Scabies
This post will not make you itchy. Hopefully. Most patients you will see with scabies will present with a pruritic rash of an uncertain etiology. The way that this rash manifests differs depending on the age of the child, and in general, because treatment is benign you should have a low threshold to treat if you think it might possibly, [...]
Assessing pneumonia severity in children
We don't yet have a consensus on how we assess pneumonia severity. This systematic review attempts to provide some clarity.
Steroids in pharyngitis: Do they make a difference?
Does giving a dose of a corticosteroid make a difference in pharyngitis? R.E.B.E.L. EM has a great succinct post on the topic.
