Prevalence rates of childhood asthma and allergy have been on the increase for several decades. The present study investigated whether this trend continued during the 1990s in adolescents living in Switzerland.Between 1992 and 2000, the change in prevalence of specific immunoglobulin E to aeroallergens, asthma symptoms and hay fever symptoms assessed by parents9 and students9 answers to the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questions was investigated using three cross-sectional surveys. In total 1,324 (74.9%), 1,668 (80.6%) and 1,250 (73.9%) adolescents participated.Prevalence rates of asthma and current asthmatic symptoms remained constant, irrespective of whether the assessment was based on parental questionnaires or the student9s self-completed written or video questionnaires (students9 report of current wheeze 8.8, 7.3, and 8.3%). Similarly, no further increase was observed for reported hay fever rates and allergic sensitisation rates (positive multiscreen allergy test, SX1-test: 34.6, 38.9, and 35.6%, respectively). Although time trends in the occurrence of a series of known risk factors were recorded, none of these factors had a significant impact on asthma and allergy prevalence over time.No further increase in asthma and allergy rates occurred during the 1990s in adolescents living in Switzerland. However, to adequately assess the trend a longer period of observation is needed.

In the majority of patients a carefully obtained history and physical examination suggest the diagnosis of a vaginal foreign object. The leading symptoms are vaginal bleeding and blood-stained or foul smelling vaginal discharge. Removal of the foreign object followed by a single irrigation with Providon-Iod is the definitive treatment and does not require additional measures.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical features and microbiological findings in young infants with mastitis. Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of 18 infants with breast inflammation during the first 3 mo of life seen in the paediatric emergency department between 1992 and 2002. Results: All were full‐term infants with female–male ratio of 3.5∶1. The age ranged from 12 to 45 d, with a peak in the 4th and 5th weeks of life. Only five patients had systemic manifestations, and five were pretreated with oral antibiotics (amoxicillin‐clavulanic acid). The latter as well as seven additional cases required incision and drainage due to abscess formation. Bacterial cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus in 10 cases including all pretreated infants. In four of these cases, Gram stain showed the pathogen. After antimicrobial treatment, no recurrence was observed in any of the patients. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mastitis in early infancy should be treated with parenteral antibiotics guided by Gram stain when available and informative. Otherwise, β‐lactamase‐resistant antibiotics are a reasonable empirical initial treatment pending culture results. Optimizing the management of infants with mastitis is important especially since abscess formation requiring incision may be detrimental for later breast development.

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Aim: To study the expectations and experiences of adolescents when in consultation with doctors, particularly with regard to issues of confidentiality. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, 613 seventh‐ and ninth‐grade students (347 students aged 13 y and 266 students aged 15 y) completed a 40‐item questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Students anonymously completed the self‐administered questionnaire at school. Results: Of these adolescents, 89% aged 13 y and 57% aged 15 y were accompanied by one of their parents to appointments with private practitioners. Of the respondents, 33%/52% (13‐y‐olds/15‐y‐olds) said that seeing the doctor alone for some time was important but only 18%/20% were given the opportunity to do so. Although 79%/90% of respondents stated that it was important for the doctor to keep information confidential, on request, only 37%/40% of private practitioners had spoken about confidentiality; 64%/78% of adolescents said that doctors should give assurance of confidentiality even with regard to their parents. However, only 26%/27% of private practitioners explicitly assured confidentiality with regard to parents. Acceptance of conditional confidentiality was high in all subpopulations. Short waiting times and the opportunity to talk about topics such as nutrition, drugs and sexuality were rated as important. Conclusion: Physicians should adapt their consultation style to the needs of adolescents by seeing the adolescent patient alone for some time and by assuring them of conditional confidentiality. Furthermore, they should provide opportunities to talk specifically about issues of potential concern to adolescents such as nutrition, drugs and sexuality. To accomplish these tasks, educational curricula in adolescent healthcare are required for physicians.