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Background Urinary tract infections are common and require prompt treatment. Objective To examine the resistance rates of co-amoxiclav in children with urinary tract infection and whether antimicrobial resistance is influenced by other variables. Methods The records and antibiotic susceptibility data of 209 patients admitted with symptomatic urinary tract infection between January 2018 and December 2019 were reviewed. Results We examined 209 patients [mean (SD) age 23.73 (32.86) months], of whom 176 (84.2%) had first urinary tract infection. Escherichia coli was isolated in 190 (90.1%). Uropathogens were sensitive to co-amoxiclav in 47.8% of patients and gentamicin in 95.2%. Combined co-amoxiclav with gentamicin demonstrated antimicrobial sensitivity in 96.2%. Antimicrobial resistance was associated with longer hospital stay (p-value p-value 0.001). No link was observed between antimicrobial resistance and atypical urinary tract infection. Conclusion Approximately half of children in this cohort had urinary tract infection due to uropathogens resistant to co-amoxiclav. Co-amoxiclav resistance is associate with recurrent infections and longer hospital stays. A combination of co-amoxiclav and gentamicin demonstrates > 96% susceptibility.

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities with an incidence of 1:444 births.1 Ireland has the highest prevalence of DS in Europe, which may be partially explained by the legislation against termination of pregnancy.1 Individuals with DS are at higher risk of developing coeliac disease (CD) compared with the general population (5%–10% vs 1%).2 CD can be difficult to diagnose due to the frequency of asymptomatic cases, and it can be particularly difficult to identify clinically in children with DS in whom short stature, abdominal distension and constipation are common clinical features. The European Society …

Aim To describe bone mineral density at the lumbar spine in a group of girls with Turner's syndrome and determine its relation to pubertal development. Methods Girls with Turner's syndrome aged over 12 years were invited to participate in the study. All participants underwent auxology, pubertal assessment and laboratory evaluation. Bone mineral density was estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral apparent density was then calculated, and the results were compared with age-matched Dutch reference data. Results We studied 32 girls with Turner's syndrome, mean (SD) [range] age 16.7 (2.6) [12.4–20.2] years and height 148.3 (9.0) [126–159.2] cm. Bone mineral apparent density lumbar spine values were −0.87 SD, significantly lower than in the reference population (p

Low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with Turner syndrome (TS) has been reported in a considerable number of previous studies. Cortical and trabecular bone have been involved. Osteoporosis can be overdiagnosed in TS patients with a short stature unless BMD measurements are adjusted for body size. Optimization of bone health in girls with TS requires a healthy active lifestyle, including adequate calcium, vitamin D, and hormonal replacement therapy, according to consensus guidelines.

A previously healthy 11-year-old girl presented with 2-week history of cough not responding to oral amoxicillin given by her general practitioner. Chest x-ray showed small dense lesion posterior to the left cardiac shadow, figure 1A. This progressed to right upper lobe consolidation two weeks later, figure 1B. She developed low-grade fever but remained otherwise clinically well. Chest CT showed multiple bilateral round infiltrates in the mid and lower lung fields, with some …

A previously healthy 6-year-old boy presented with a 2-week history of vague pain in his abdomen, arm, neck and legs, which became more localised to the right side of the neck and right tibial plateau. Over the 6 days prior to admission, nocturnal bone pain was recorded. He was also lethargic, irritable and felt warm; however, temperature >37.7°C was not documented. Intermittent limping was reported. Physical examination was unremarkable, apart from exquisite tenderness on right tibial tuberosity and severe neck …

Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTEs) are a common presentation to paediatric hospitals and represent a significant cause of parental anxiety. Basic Life Support (BLS) training is recommended for all caregivers following ALTEs. This study aimed to assess the rate of caregiver BLS training and reviewed parents experience following discharge. Parents were interviewed by phone following discharge. Over the study period 25 children attended the Emergency Department with ALTE, 17/25 (68%) were trained and 13/17 (76%) were contactable for interview. All parents found training decreased their anxiety level and were interested in attending for re-training. BLS resuscitation was subsequently required by 2/13 (15%) of children. Non-medical grade monitors were in use by 10/13 (77%) of caregivers following discharge. Caregivers are eager to engage in BLS training and it effectively reduces their caregiver anxiety. We recommend an increase in instructor staff and use of group re-training post discharge.

Acute urinary tract infections are common in children. Our aim was to establish whether peripheral blood tests correlate with urinary culture. We also examined the relationship between peripheral blood results and the length of stay (LOS) in children and adolescents with UTI. We studied 135 patients admitted with UTI, mean (SD) age 3.0 (4.1) years. Of these 135 patients, 16 (11.9%) had combined normal serum WCC, normal neutrophil count and CRP5 mg/L. In this group of patients, there was no significant association between LOS and serum WCC, serum neutrophil values, E. coli infection or CRP values (p value 0.51, 0.98, 0.87, 0.82, respectively).

This study investigates attitudes of parents and staff to medical students on paediatric wards in a Dublin teaching hospital. We invited 100 parents of patients and 30 staff involved in the care of children on the paediatric wards to participate. The majority of parents agreed or strongly agreed that they would be happy for a student to interview them (n = 87; (87%)), interview their child (80%) or examine their child (74%). Of 30 staff, 12 (40%) staff agreed that the presence of medical students on the ward increased their job satisfaction, 13 (43%) agreed or strongly agreed that medical student presence encouraged them to keep up to date with recent medical developments and 6 (20%) felt that it increased the quality of patient care. Attitudes of both parents and staff to medical students on paediatric wards are positive with both emphasising the need for professional behaviour.