Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with congenital microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities. There is little published research on the effect of maternal ZIKV infection in a non-endemic European region. We aimed to describe the outcomes of pregnant travelers diagnosed as ZIKV-infected in Spain, and their exposed children. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study of nine referral hospitals enrolled pregnant women (PW) who travelled to endemic areas during their pregnancy or the two previous months, or those whose sexual partners visited endemic areas in the previous 6 months. Infants of ZIKV-infected mothers were followed for about two years. Results: ZIKV infection was diagnosed in 163 PW; 112 (70%) were asymptomatic and 24 (14.7%) were confirmed cases. Among 143 infants, 14 (9.8%) had adverse outcomes during follow-up; three had a congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), and 11 other potential Zika-related outcomes. The overall incidence of CZS was 2.1% (95%CI: 0.4–6.0%), but among infants born to ZIKV-confirmed mothers, this increased to 15.8% (95%CI: 3.4–39.6%). Conclusions: A nearly 10% overall risk of neurologic and hearing adverse outcomes was found in ZIKV-exposed children born to a ZIKV-infected traveler PW. Longer-term follow-up of these children is needed to assess whether there are any later-onset manifestations.

Acute infectious diarrhea is a major global health issue, especially in children, as gastrointestinal infections are the second most common infectious disease after respiratory infections. The implementation of rapid multiplex molecular syndromic panels (RMMSP) for the comprehensive detection and identification of enteric pathogens in stool samples has enhanced diagnostic precision, supplementing—or, in some cases, replacing—traditional methodologies. This narrative, non-systematic review synthesized the available evidence on the clinical performance of gastrointestinal RMMSP up to December 31, 2024. On May 27, 2024, specialists in Pediatrics and Microbiology met to assess the use of RMMSP in pediatric gastrointestinal infection diagnosis. This review focused on RMMSP applicable to urgent management of infectious acute gastroenteritis (AGE), excluding those panels unsuitable for immediate diagnosis. RMMSP facilitated rapid pathogen detection in pediatric infectious AGE and have shown potential advantages over traditional microbiological methods, including a reduction in time to appropriate treatment. Their use appeared particularly useful in emergency and inpatient settings for inflammatory AGE, prolonged traveler’s diarrhea, or cases at risk for complications. They were also considered for outpatient diagnosis in moderate/severe cases, chronic diarrhea, or immunocompromised patients. Within a diagnostic stewardship framework, current evidence suggests that RMMSP can contribute to minimizing unnecessary testing and hospitalizations, improving outbreak control, and optimizing antimicrobial use. However, further research is necessary to refine diagnostic workflows and ensure timely result delivery. This document evaluated key aspects regarding the application of RMMSP in pediatric infectious AGE, aiming to establish standardized protocols, support clinical decision-making, and facilitate optimal patient management.

Dengue fever has significantly increased globally, extending into non-endemic regions. This study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric dengue cases diagnosed in Madrid, Spain, over ten years. We conducted a retrospective observational study across four tertiary hospitals, including all confirmed dengue cases in children under 16 between 2015 and 2024. Epidemiological data, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and outcomes were collected, with severity assessed according to the 2009 WHO criteria. Forty-six cases were identified, with 72% diagnosed in the last three years and a peak incidence in 2024. Children visiting friends and relatives (VFR) constituted the majority of cases (56%). The most frequent clinical features were fever (100%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (78%), while laboratory findings included leukopenia (72%), thrombocytopenia (70%), and hypertransaminasemia (74%). Five cases (10%) met the criteria for severe dengue, one being fatal in a patient with pre-existing oncological disease. We identified no autochthonous cases. These results highlight the growing impact of imported pediatric dengue in non-endemic regions, the particular vulnerability of VFR travelers, and the need for clinical awareness, improved diagnostic availability and prevention strategies, especially in climate-influenced vector expansion.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the availability of different procedures, diagnostic tests, and treatments, as well as the procedures and techniques used in the management of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study performed from September to December 2018 in Spain. A survey directed to CE–treating clinicians was conducted to collect information regarding the center characteristics and the different protocols of management followed. Thirty-nine centers among 76 contacted centers participated in the survey, most of them belonging to the public health system and attending both adult and children. The median number of patients with CE attended during the last three years per center was 15. Percutaneous techniques were used only in seven centers, and surgery was the most frequently used therapeutic approach. Drugs and duration of treatment (both when administered exclusively or when combined with surgery/puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration) were very variable depending on the centers. There is a high variability in the management of CE among Spanish centers. These results stress the importance of promoting the diffusion of existing knowledge, adapting the WHO recommendations to our setting, and referring patients to referral centers at a national level.