Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Weil-Olivier

Publications and source records attributed to C Weil-Olivier.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Influenza vaccination: the paediatric perspective.

Influenza in young children represents a significant problem to families and to society, as this population is most susceptible to developing complications and is also a major route of disease spread within communities. However, there is a paucity of European data for the burden of disease in children and the health benefits and cost-effectiveness of vaccination, leading to a lack of awareness by governments, authorities, healthcare professionals and parents. The experience in elderly individuals and the paediatric experience in the US may provide some guidance in developing studies that will provide evidence for the creation of guidelines and educational strategies within Europe.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Influenza vaccination coverage rate in children with underlying chronic disorders in 7 French pediatric wards].

UNLABELLED: In France, annual influenza vaccination is recommended and free of charge for children with chronic disease (chronic lung, heart or kidney disease, diabetes, haemoglobinopathy, immune deficiency). The national goal is to reach 75% influenza vaccination coverage by 2008, but data on coverage in high risk children are limited. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the influenza vaccination coverage in children with an underlying chronic health condition in the Paris region, during in- or out-patient visit at hospital. METHODS: A multicentre cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out over 2 months before the 2004-2005 flu vaccination campaign in 7 French paediatric hospitals (Paris region). Inclusion criteria for this survey were: children aged 6 months to 18 years, with an underlying chronic disease requiring annual influenza vaccination, with a vaccination card available, so as to check their vaccination status. Reasons for non vaccination were recorded. RESULTS: Data from 239 children were analysed. 56% of patients were males (mean age: 8.1 years). Two patients had 2 separate underlying chronic disorders; 69% had a haemoglobinopathy, 16.3% had a chronic respiratory disease, and 7.5% had diabetes. The influenza vaccination rate for 2003-2004 was 43.7% (haemoglobinopathy: 55.5%; chronic respiratory diseases: 12.8%). This rate increased from 20.4% to 43.7% between 1999 and 2003. Less than 16% of parents remembered having received a voucher for free vaccination from the National Health Insurance Agency. CONCLUSION: Efforts are still needed to achieve the 2008 objectives of 75% coverage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Tonsillectomy in 2005].

During the past years, the number of tonsillectomies (only palatine tonsils are taken off) has decreased, indications for surgery have changed. A multi-disciplinal group of paediatricians tried to elaborate the state of the art in the field. Tonsils are the first line defense of high respiratory tract. The immune functions of their lymphoid tissue are multiple: mucosal antigens capture, presentation to lymphocytes, antigens specific proliferation of lymphocytes T and B, differentiation of lymphocytes in effectors lymphocytes and immune lymphocytes. Epithelial cells on the tonsils' surface express non-specific defense. These facts explain partly tonsils' hypertrophy. Tonsillectomy has no general immune consequences. In 2002, in France, 75,000 tonsillectomies were realized, of which 90% were in children. Tonsil's hypertrophy is the major indication, mandatory when sleep apnoeas exist. The main historical tonsillectomy indication for recurrent tonsillitis should decrease due to a more precise diagnostic (rapid test at bed site), an efficient antibiotics therapy and better care for pain. Other indications are scarce. Surgery, feasible from 9 months of age, requires a brief general anaesthesia and has very few contra-indications. The technique, operator dependent, relies on his experience. The only potentially severe complication is an haemorrhage due to scab fall between the eighth and twelfth days. It requires explanation and a written note given to parents. The possibility of lack of feeding and voice modification, usually transitory, should be known. Multiple consequences of tonsillectomy especially allergy have been alleged. Since the years 1980, it is well established that pre-existing allergy or asthma are not a contraindication. More, its deleterious impact on allergic children has not been demonstrated. Last, a gain of weight post-tonsillectomy is possible and could become a risk if excessive.

Contraindications↗
PubMed2005

Is Europe ready to embrace a policy of universal varicella vaccination?

For the first time, a live attenuated varicella vaccine with an indication for universal vaccination is licensed in all EU countries. It is now time to consider whether in Europe there should be widespread vaccination against varicella to prevent this common and highly infectious disease. Increasing numbers of countries are adopting vaccination programmes against the disease. In those countries where a routine vaccination policy has been adopted, the success of the vaccine has been significant. The USA, which prior to the launch of a universal vaccination programme in 1995 had 4 million cases of varicella per year, has seen a dramatic reduction in varicella morbidity and mortality rates. A universal varicella vaccination policy is an option that needs to be considered for Europe not only in medical terms but also because it would be socially and economically appropriate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Against influenza in children, which actions?].

Each year, at any age, children are at risk of influenza illness during the epidemics. Children, especially those at school (attack rate close to 30%), have a major role in viral dissemination. Most of influenza illnesses occur in healthy children. Manifestations are typical, as in adults, in children over 5 years of age and less specific in younger children explaining misdiagnosis and underestimation in the youngest. Respiratory complications in outpatients include acute otitis media (close to 30% in children less than 3 years of age) and pulmonary disease (5 up to 10%). High fever 240 degrees C is frequent. Febrile convulsions occur in about 20% of hospitalised children aged 6 month to 5 years. Other complications (encephalitis, myositis, myocarditis, etc.) are reported. Hospitalisation rate is a severity index. In children less than 5 years of age, it is as high as 500/100,000 when risk factors exist and 100/100,000 when absent. Influenza, which is a respiratory virus, is the only one for which both a vaccine and specific treatment (anti-neuraminidases) exist. They are detailed.

Child↗
PubMed2001

A novel delta beta fusion gene expresses hemoglobin A (HbA) not Hb Lepore: Senegalese delta(0)beta(+) thalassemia.

This study identified and characterized a novel delta beta fusion gene in which the delta-globin gene promoter is linked to intact beta-globin coding sequences in a Senegalese family. It results from a 7.4-kb deletion that removes the delta-globin coding sequences, the delta beta intergenic region as well as the beta-globin gene promoter and causes delta(0)beta(+) thalassemia with hemoglobin A expressed at the 11% to 15% range. The phenotype of this naturally occurring delta beta hybrid gene not only clarifies, in an in vivo context, the respective strength of delta- and beta-globin gene promoters, but also emphasizes the importance of beta-globin intragenic sequences in the expression of beta-globin chains. (Blood. 2001;98:1261-1263)

Adolescent↗