[Efficacy of passive and active immunization against HBV infection in children with neoplastic diseases]

The efficacy of 3 schemes of passive and active prevention of HBV infection was evaluated in 47 children with haematologic proliferative diseases. Twenty-six children suffering from leukemia (group I) received passive immunisation (hepatitis B immunoglobulin) in six week intervals during intensive chemotherapy and were vaccinated on maintenance therapy. Thirteen children with Hodgkin or B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma (group II) received active immunisation from the beginning of intensive chemotherapy with two doses of immunoglobulin. Eight children who had completed their therapy (group III) were vaccinated only. Among children who completed vaccinations, 5/8 in group I, 4/7 in group II and 5/5 in group III produced protective anti-HBs levels. Passive/active prophylaxis was successful in most patients suffering from neoplastic diseases and reduced the endemy of HBV infection in our department from 43.3% to 2.56% infected subjects. Among 7 patients vaccinated from the beginning of treatment (group II), 4 of them produced protective levels of anti,-HBs, despite intensive chemotherapy.

[Congenital spherocytosis in children]

The clinical course and effects of treatment of congenital spherocytosis (CS) were analyzed in 28 children. In 10 cases the disease ran a severe clinical course. Jaundice, anaemia, and splenomegaly were the most frequent clinical signs which were significantly intensified during haemolytic crises. In 14 cases splenectomy was performed, obtaining in all children a regression of jaundice and anaemia. Before the operation two children were vaccinated with Pneumo 23. In asplenic children Debecillin was prophylactically used. Serious infectious complications were observed only in one patient.

[Analysis of prognosis in children with acute leukemia diagnosed in the first two years of life]

In the years 1975-1989 26 children were treated in hospital for acute leukaemia, who fell ill before completion of the second year of life. The analysis carried out similarly, as in the reports of other authors, showed worse results of treatment of leukaemia in this group of children.

[Histiocytosis X in children--course of the disease and treatment]

A clinical analysis was carried out of the course of the disseminated form of the disease in 20 children aged from one month to 8 years (mean age 11 months). Unfavourable prognostic significance was confirmed of such factors as: child's age at the time of falling ill lower than two years, number of the involved organs and their dysfunction, and lacking reaction to treatment during the first three months of the disease.

[Burgdorf's reaction (painful acral erythema) in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following medium-dose methotrexate therapy]

Erythematous changes of the palms with associated oedema, blistering and desquamation were observed in two children during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, after methotrexate in doses of 1,000 mg/m2. These changes correspondent to those described in the literature as Burgdorf's reaction. In Poland it was never reported as yet.

[Allergic reactions to teniposide (VM-26) in children with neoplasms]

Allergic reactions of dramatic intensity were observed in 5 children treated with Teniposide (VM-26) for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and histiocytosis X. In the further treatment this drug was replaced with epoxide, a cytostatic agent which is also a podophyllin derivative but in other chemical formulation. In none of these patients the allergic reaction returned.

[Lyell's syndrome--possibly drug-induced epidermal necrolysis in a 7-year-old boy]

In a 7-year-old child Lyell's syndrome was observed with extensive bullous epidermal necrolysis with a very severe clinical course. The disease could have been explained as a toxic-allergic reaction to sefril and aspirin taken for pharyngitis.