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In this article the author talks about the changes in laboratory findings in parechovirus-A infection in neonates and infants. Topics discussed include neonates and infants whose serum samples were positive for PeV-A when tested with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method at Nagano Red Cross Hospital, Japan, between July and October 2014, and patients received corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy during hospitalization.

Abstract: Background: Thyroid function in asphyxiated newborns who received hypothermia therapy and its relation to neurological outcome are not well described. Methods: We performed a prospective study to measure thyroid function in 12 asphyxiated newborns who received hypothermia therapy. We measured serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) on admission, at 24, 72, and 96 h after birth, and at discharge (range, 17–54 days). The 12 newborns were divided into two groups based on the presence of brain injury on head magnetic resonance imaging (six in the abnormal imaging group and six in the normal imaging group), and thyroid function was compared between the two groups. Results: Serum TSH was within the normal range in the 12 newborns. Serum FT3 and FT4 remained low at 24, 72, and 96 h after birth, and returned to normal range at discharge in the 12 newborns. There was no significant difference in serum TSH between the two groups, but serum FT3 at 96 h after birth, and serum FT4 at 72 and 96 h after birth, were significantly lower in the abnormal imaging group than in the normal imaging group (P = 0.02; P = 0.03; and P = 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: Asphyxiated newborns have transient low thyroid hormone levels at 24–96 h after birth. Serum FT3 and FT4 between 72 and 96 h after birth may predict brain injury in asphyxiated newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study is presented of a 4-year-old girl with a mass on the anterior chest wall. Physical examination revealed immobile soft mass on the sternum; and chest computed tomography showed an oval-shaped mass with increased attenuation. She was diagnosed of the same by using isoniazid and rifampicin drugs.

Four infants born prematurely presented with multiple apnea episodes caused by human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) infection. All patients required oxygen supplementation, and one patient required mechanical ventilation. HPeV3 infection might be included in the differential diagnosis of apnea in neonates and young infants, especially those born prematurely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on an asymptomatic 10-year-old boy who had a short QT interval (corrected QT interval, 260 ms). Short QT syndrome ( SQTS) was detected in a school screening program for heart disease and the patient was subsequently diagnosed as having N588K mutation in the KCNH2 gene. Quinidine prolonged the QT interval, but not the QU interval. During treadmill exercise stress test, QT and QU intervals responded differently to heart rate changes, suggesting a mechanoelectrical hypothesis for the origin of the U wave. Although rare, attention should be paid to SQTS, which is associated with potential fatal arrhythmias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 39-week-old female infant born with an aphthous lesions on the soft palate. It notes she was born after a pregnancy without a risk of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. It states that skin, eye and mucous membrane (SEM) disease caused by HSV should be given acyclovir promptly to prevent progression to systemic disease.

The article discusses the case of 12-year-old boy who was admitted with a 2 day history of progressive symptoms which included swelling and tenderness on the left side of the neck and also pain and difficulty inswallowing and decreased oral intake. He was diagnosed with having Pharyngolaryngeal edema in mumps. The treatment given is presented.