Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acquired demyelinating polyneuropathy that is presumed to be immune-mediated. On the basis of this assumption, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used in the treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome in recent years and found to be effective. To test this we performed a randomized study in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome by giving IVIG (1 g/kg body weight per day over 2 consecutive days) in 9 children who were compared with 9 patients who were observed but not given specific therapy. We concluded that intravenous immunoglobulin is a safe and effective treatment for childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome which shortens the time to recovery.

It was concluded that zinc supplementation in malnourished children with acute diarrhea may reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea, especially in children with low zinc levels.

Seventy-two children with no underlying diseases were treated for empyema. Radical surgical approaches like decortication were necessary for only 3 children. In 66 children tube drainage was applied. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured or was shown in Gram’s stain in 32 (44%) and children with this microorganism had longer duration of tube drainage (p < 0.05). The period for normalization of chest X-ray was positively related with the age of the patient (p < 0.05). In 60 of 72 children, chest X-ray was normal after 3 months. Follow-up of the patients 18 months after the infection revealed that pulmonary radiograms were normal in all cases and pulmonary function tests were within normal limits in all of the tested children (n = 25). It is emphasized that avoiding major surgical approaches must be encouraged in childhood empyema.

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Our data show that the level of dentists' knowledge of local anaesthetics allergy and anaphylaxis is inadequate. This may endanger patients' lives. An educational programme that may improve general dentists' knowledge about local anaesthetics allergy and anaphylaxis is urgently necessary.