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ARTICLE:
C. Mary Healy, Debra L. Palazzi, Morven S. Edwards, Judith R. Campbell, and Carol J. Baker
Features of Invasive Staphylococcal Disease in Neonates
Pediatrics 2004; 114: 953-961 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetters] Healy report needs gender information
George Hill   (3 December 2005)

Healy report needs gender information 3 December 2005
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George Hill,
Independent Researcher
Unaffiliated

Send letter to journal:
Re: Healy report needs gender information

iconbuster{at}earthlink.net George Hill

Dear Editor:

Healy et al. have not indicated the gender of the babies in their otherwise excellent report on staphylococcal disease in the newborn.1 This is surprising because several earlier studies indicate that male infants have a greater susceptibility to staphylococcal disease.2-5 It would be helpful to know if this disparity still exists.

This is a peculiar omission that should soon be rectified.

George Hill

References:

  1. Healy CM, Palazzi DL, Edwards MS, et al. Features of invasive staphylococcal disease in neonates. Pediatrics 2004;(114):953-61. [Full Text]
  2. Thompson DJ, Gezon HM, Hatch TF, et al. Sex distribution of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and disease in newborn infants. New Engl J Med 1963:269;337-41.
  3. Thompson DJ, Gezon HM, Rogers KD, et al. Excess risk of staphylococcus infection and disease in newborn males. Am J Epidemiol 1965;84(2):314-28.
  4. Curran JP, Al-Salihi FL. Neonatal staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome: massive outbreak due to an unusual phage type. Pediatrics 1980;66(2):285-90. [Abstract]
  5. Enzenauer RW, Dotson CR, Leonard T, et al. Male predominance in persistent staphylococcal colonization and infection of the newborn. Hawaii Med J 1985;44(10):389-90, 392, 394-6.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared