The VDC/ICE protocol was feasible, and considering the high tumor burden in our population, resulted in comparable results to those reported by cooperative groups in high-income countries. Further adaptation to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity will be required.

the prevalence of respiratory viruses was relevant in the infectious episode, with no increase in morbidity and mortality. Viral co-detection was frequent in patients with cancer and ARIs.

No abstract

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of infection by respiratory viruses in pediatric patients with cancer and acute respiratory infection (ARI) and/or fever. Methods: cross-sectional study, from January 2011 to December 2012. The secretions of nasopharyngeal aspirates were analyzed in children younger than 21 years with acute respiratory infections. Patients were treated at the Grupo em Defesa da Criança Com Câncer (Grendacc) and University Hospital (HU), Jundiaí, SP. The rapid test was used for detection of influenza virus (Kit Biotrin, Inc. Ireland), and real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction (FTD, Respiratory pathogens, multiplex Fast Trade Kit, Malta) for detection of influenza virus (H1N1, B), rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human parechovirus, bocavirus, metapneumovirus, and human coronavirus. The prevalence of viral infection was estimated and association tests were used ( 2 or Fisher's exact test). Results: 104 samples of nasopharyngeal aspirate and blood were analyzed. The median age was 12 ± 5.2 years, 51% males, 68% whites, 32% had repeated ARIs, 32% prior antibiotic use, 19.8% cough, and 8% contact with ARIs. A total of 94.3% were in good general status. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (42.3%) was the most prevalent neoplasia. Respiratory viruses were detected in 50 samples: rhinoviruses (23.1%), respiratory syncytial virus AB (8.7%), and coronavirus (6.8%). Codetection occurred in 19% of cases with 2 viruses and in 3% of those with 3 viruses, and was more ଝ Please cite this article as: Benites EC, Cabrini DP, Silva AC, Silva JC, Catalan DT, Berezin EN, et al. Acute respiratory viral infections in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2014;90:370---6.

Severe hypercalcemia is a rare metabolic disorder in pediatric medicine. This report describes a rare case of severe hypercalcemia and its clinical manifestations in a 2-year-old toddler. The radiological findings caused by hypercalcemia and osteolysis were emblematic of the osteolytic lesions. Hypercalcemia led to massive pulmonary alveolar calcification. The hypercalcemia was successfully treated with pamidronate, a bisphosphonate drug class. Further investigation resulted in a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The patient is currently on chemotherapy and has a favorable prognosis. Although severe hypercalcemia alone is an unusual finding as the first sign for ALL, this should be considered, not to mention the radiological images resulted from calcium deposits.