Introduction: In pediatrics, fever is a common reason for consultation. The objective was to assess parental knowledge, behaviors, and fears in the management of fever in their children. Materials and methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. In 2018, a survey was administered to the parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years who attended Hospital de Ninos Ricardo Gutierrez, in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The association between sociodemographic outcome measures and knowledge, behaviors, and fears in cases of fever was analyzed. Results: A total of 201 surveys were completed: 56.7 % of parents considered that fever was bad for health; 37 % defined fever between 37 degrees C and 37.5 degrees C, and 59 %, between 38 degrees C and 38.5 degrees C. The mean temperature considered severe was 39.2 degrees C (standard deviation: 0.69). Physical methods were used by 93 % of caregivers; 97 % administered antipyretic agents, and 14.5 % used alternating agents. Fears of consequences included seizures in 82 %, dehydration in 41 %, brain damage in 18 %, and death in 12 %. Also, 86.5 % woke up their children to give them an antipyretic agent. Among the higher maternal education level, fear of fever was lower (odds ratio: 0.5; 95 % confidence interval: 0.28-0.91). Conclusions: One-third of survey respondents considered low body temperature values as fever. Fear of fever was high, and the level of maternal education may mitigate it.

Background: Infants face a high risk of morbidity and mortality from pertussis early in life, leading to the adoption of maternal vaccination. This study aimed to review the characteristics of the maternal pertussis vaccination in Latin American (LATAM) countries and evaluate their impact on pertussis absolute mortality and case fatality rate (CFR) in infants under 1 year old. Methods: LATAM countries with maternal tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination in their National Immunization Programs were included. Data on pertussis incidence, deaths and cases in <1-year-old; characteristics of Tdap vaccination in pregnancy; and third dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis and Tdap coverage rates were collected and analyzed. The impact on absolute mortality and CFR was assessed by comparing the percentage reduction between 4 years before and after (up to 2019) the Tdap introduction for each country. Results: The LATAM countries included were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. Post-Tdap introduction, pertussis incidence declined notably, especially from 2020. The beginning of the maternal Tdap strategy varied, occurring between 2012 and 2019, with a common recommendation at 20 weeks gestation. In most countries, absolute mortality and CFR decreased, though variations ranged from −9.9% to 88.9% and −60.6% to 81.2%, respectively. Tdap and third dose of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis coverage rates declined by 2021, with rates ranging from 37% to 92% and 58% to 95%, respectively. Conclusion: The characteristics of maternal Tdap vaccination varied across LATAM countries. The vaccine implementation into the National Immunization Program has reduced pertussis cases, deaths and CFR in infants <1-year-old in most countries.

Background: In December 2020, Sputnik V was the first vaccine incorporated to the National Strategic COVID-19 Immunization Plan in Argentina. An interim phase three analysis carried out in the Russian Federation had shown 98% of Sputnik V vaccinees developed specific antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. To date, data on immunogenicity in Argentina are scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the immune response following vaccination with two doses of Sputnik V in health-care workers (HCW) at a Children’s Hospital. Methods: A prospective, cohort study in HCWs immunized with two doses of Sputnik V between February and May 2021. The following variables were assessed: age, gender, profession, risk factors for severe COVID-19 or mortality, immunosuppressive therapy and history of COVID-19 infection. Blood samples were drawn on the day of the first dose and 21-40 days after the second. Anti-Spike IgG was measured using an ELISA assay and antibody levels classified into five semi-quantitative categories: non-reactive, < 1/100, ≥1/100-< 1/1000, ≥1/1000-<1/5000 and ≥1/5000. Antibody response was compared using Chi squared test for categorical variables and T-test or Mann-Whitney for continuous variables. Interaction effects were tested in ANOVA. Findings: Five hundred and twenty eight individuals were included, mean age 41·5 years, 82·9% were female, 14·58% (77/528) had had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and seroprevalence was 13·26% (70/528).All subjects developed antibody titres post-vaccination. Levels were significantly higher in women (p 0·001) and in those who had experienced prior infection (p < 0·001, Chi square), no interactions between variables were observed. Interpretation: After completing a two-dose Sputnik V schedule, all vaccinees developed antibodies. Prior infection and female gender were associated with higher antibody titres. Funding Information: This stage of the study received no funding support. Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Review Committee at the RGCH (register number 4033). Subjects voluntarily agreed to participate in the research and signed an inform consent form.

Introduction. The management of acute diarrhea is based on preventing dehydration and reducing disease duration and severity. The study objective was to establish the patterns for the outpatient management of acute diarrhea in children younger than 5 years. Methods. Observational, analytical study using a self-administered survey among pediatricians from a children's hospital in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Age, sex, place of work, bibliographic sources, indication of drug and non-drug therapies, and preventive and hygiene measures were recorded. The association between drug prescription and the characteristics of surveyed pediatricians was assessed. Results. In total,182/216 pediatricians completed the survey. Their mean age was 42.4 +/- 10.24 years; 78.6% were females; 59.2% worked in the public sector; 22.4% worked in the emergency department; and 91.2% consulted guidelines and/or consensuses. Also, 92.9% prescribed oral rehydration solutions; 46.2%, antiemetics; 43.4%, antacids and/or gastric protectors; 35.7%, probiotics; and 30.7%, zinc. Early food reintroduction was indicated by 91.7%; breastfeeding, by 96.7%; and preventive and hygiene measures, by 96-100%. The multivariate analysis showed an association between age >40 years and prescribing antacids/ gastric protectors (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6; 1.22-5.61), probiotics (OR: 3.03; 1.34-6.83), and zinc (OR: 0.39; 0.17-0.87); between working in the private sector and prescribing probiotics (OR: 3.05; 1.56-5.94); and between working in the emergency department and prescribing antacids/gastric protectors (OR: 2.60; 1.22-5.54). Conclusions. Treatment was mainly based on hydration, early food reintroduction, and breastfeeding. Age and work sector affected the prescription pattern.