Infections in Special Hosts
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen The definition of immune compromise is characterized by an impairment of a host’s ability to effectively handle infectious challenges. As new therapeutic options for previously untreatable…
Disorders of Coagulation and Thrombosis
DISORDERS OF COAGULATION Print Section Listen Blood leaks or vascular occlusions may compromise blood delivery with potentially fatal consequences. The role of the hemostatic system is to maintain blood fluidity…
Neutropenia and Bone Marrow Failure
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen NEUTROPENIA Neutrophils are the cellular elements of the blood, which provide a large portion of anti-bacterial immunity to the body. The risk of sepsis, fungal infections,…
Gastrointestinal Infections
ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS Print Section Listen BACKGROUND Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) (often termed “diarrheal disease” when the global burden is discussed) is characterized by the sudden onset of diarrhea with or without…
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has led to a worldwide pandemic that has exacted a dramatic toll on children, especially in resource-limited countries. It is estimated that…
Prolonged Fever and Fever of Unknown Origin
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen In 1961, Petersdorf and Beeson proposed their now classic criteria for fever of unknown origin (FUO): (1) an illness of at least 3 weeks’ duration, (2)…
Empirical Treatment of Bacterial Infections
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen The initiation of antibiotic therapy is a common challenge for clinicians caring for hospitalized patients. Many factors influence the choice of whether to start antibiotics, when…
Transfusion Medicine
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen The primary goal of transfusion medicine is to provide the safest blood transfusions possible for patients who need them. In the pediatric patient population, red blood…
