A previously healthy 9-year-old boy died from acute liver failure during an acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Epstein-Barr virus DNA could be demonstrated in the liver by Southern blot — and by in situ hybridization techniques. The identification of the virus in the liver suggests a causal relation between the Epstein-Barr virus and the acute massive liver cell necrosis.

Coagulation studies from capillary blood, consisting of the determination of fibrinogen, factors II and V and proactivator-plasminogen, were done in 104 newborns. In healthy newborns fibrinogen and factor V was found near the adult level, while factor II and proactivator-plasminogen showed a severe deficit. None of the coagulation factors was dependent of gestational age. Fibrinogen was significantly lower in the group of children with perinatal asphyxia. In ill newborns there was a significant correlation between fibrinogen and factor II and fibrinogen and factor V as was between factors II and V. No correlation could be demonstrated between proactivator-plasminogen and any of the other coagulation factors.

An infant, aged seven months, developed toxic shock with acute renal failure as a sequel to the development of hypertonic dehydration. The anuric phase persisted despite treatment of the dehydration and diuretic infusions. The coagulation tests showed signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation and so the child was given fibrinolytic therapy for 36 hours following initial heparinization. Excretion of urine recommenced 8 hours after the initiation of fibrinolytic therapy. Peritoneal dialysis was carried out in parallel with the fibrinolytic treatment without haemorrhagic complications. It was possible to terminate dialysis on the fourth day already and renal function subsequently recovered completely.