Antibody Deficiency
Key Points • A clinician must maintain an index of suspicion for immunodeficiency when confronted with patients with infections considered unusual with respect to frequency, severity, response to treatment, or…
PEDIATRICS
Approach to the Child with Recurrent Infections Including Molecular Diagnostics
Key Points • Chronic/recurrent respiratory tract infections are common problems for children with allergy but may also be the presenting symptoms of an underlying defect in host defense such as…
The Genetics of Allergic Disease and Asthma
Key Points • Asthma and atopy are examples of complex genetic diseases that, despite a strong genetic component, do not exhibit simple Mendelian inheritance. • The many genes involved have…
The Developing Immune System and Allergy
Key Points • The fetal immune system develops at least partial functional competence prior to birth, but whether this includes capacity to prime for subsequent postnatal production of the allergen-specific…
Natural History of Allergic Diseases and Asthma
Key Points • The atopic disorders – atopic dermatitis, food and inhalant allergies, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma – tend to cluster in individuals, families and locales • A developmental ‘allergic…
Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases
Key Points • Large geographical variations in the prevalence of allergic diseases exist worldwide among children and adults. • Lower prevalences have been reported from developing countries, eastern European areas,…
Acquired Rashes in the Older Child
Many skin findings in childhood are benign and self-limited conditions. Other dermatologic complaints may be the 1st manifestation of a systemic disease or associated condition, recognition of which facilitates appropriate…
Fever and Rash
The coexistence of fever and rash suggests a relatively wide spectrum of pathologic entities for diagnostic consideration. This spectrum includes local or systemic infection with a wide range of microbial…
Acid–Base and Electrolyte Disturbances
The presence of an acid–base or an electrolyte disorder may explain a patient’s symptoms or may lead to a specific diagnosis. Acid–Base Balance (See Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, p. 369.)…
Congenital Cutaneous Lesions and Infantile Rashes
Neonates and infants can have a variety of congenital birthmarks and transient rashes, some very common and others more rare. The chapter is organized by the primary cutaneous lesion seen…
