Efficacy of Artesunate Plus Amodiaquine versus That of Artemether-Lumefantrine for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Childhood Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in Zanzibar, Tanzania.  Both treatments were highly efficacious, but AL provided stronger prevention against reinfection. The high proportion of recrudescences found after day 28 and the genetic selection by the long-acting partner drug underlines the importance of long follow-up periods in clinical trials. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2005;41:1079-1086

Perspectives editorial in NEJM 353:753-757

Initial resuscitation with Ringer's lactate is indicated for children with moderately severe dengue shock syndrome. Dextran 70 and 6 percent hydroxyethyl starch perform similarly in children with severe shock, but given the adverse reactions associated with the use of dextran, starch may be preferable for this group. NEJM Volume 353:877-889

Household based treatment of drinking water with flocculant-disinfectant for preventing diarrhoea in areas with turbid source water in rural western Kenya. In areas of turbid water, flocculant-disinfectant was associated with a significant reduction in diarrhoea among children < 2 years. The flocculant-disinfectant is a new technology formulated in single use sachets to work quickly on small volumes of water. This health benefit, combined with a significant reduction in turbidity, suggests that the flocculant-disinfectant is well suited to areas with highly contaminated and turbid water. BMJ 2005;331:478 (3 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.38512.618681.E0 (published 26 July 2005)

70 mg of zinc weekly reduces pneumonia and mortality in young children. However, compliance with weekly intake might be problematic outside a research programme.The Lancet 2005; 366:999-1004