Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) can be defined as congenital disorders caused by an intrinsic molecular defect that alters the development or function of the immune system. As a consequence, patients…
The Febrile Neutropenic Patient
Since chemotherapeutic agents were first administered for the treatment of malignancy, infection has been a cause of significant morbidity and mortality. Initial reports documented an infection-related mortality rate among patients…
Approach to Infections in the Fetus and Newborn
This chapter provides an overview and approach to the diagnosis and management of the more common infections that occur in the fetus and newborn infant. Details about how each organism…
Skin Infections
Bacterial Skin Infections Duha Al-Zubeidi Mary Anne Jackson Normal Skin Anatomy The epidermal skin layer provides the primary barrier to invasion by microorganisms and an interface between the body and the environment….
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Illnesses resembling toxic shock syndrome (TSS) have been reported since 1927, but TSS was first defined as a disease in 1978 by Dr. James K. Todd and colleagues using criteria…
Ocular Infections
The eye can be affected by infections and infestations manifested as primary diseases or as part of systemic processes. Some infections are vision threatening, whereas others may have important implications…
Osteomyelitis
Introduction The term osteomyelitis denotes inflammation of bone and marrow but generally implies the presence of infection. Osteomyelitis is considered acute if diagnosed within 2 weeks of the onset of…
Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represents the final common pathway and clinical presentation of the most severe acute lung injury (ALI), which may be precipitated by various pulmonary (direct) or…
Fever Without Source and Fever of Unknown Origin
Petersdorf and Beeson in 1961 proposed that the term fever of unknown origin (FUO) be reserved for persons with an illness persisting for 3 or more weeks and accompanied by…
Bacteremia and Septic Shock
One of the most serious and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases in childhood is a bacteremic illness. Bacteremia may be caused by a wide variety of gram-positive or gram-negative microorganisms, and…
