Andrea Tania Cruz, M.D., M.P.H.

Professor

(832) 824-5582

Email

acruz@bcm.edu

Positions

Professor: Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

Addresses

Texas Children's Hospital (Office): 6621 Fannin Street
Suite A210
Houston, TX, 77030
United States
Phone: (832) 824-5459
Fax: (832) 824-1182

Education

MD from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: Nashville, TN

Residency at Baylor College of Medicine: Houston, TX; Pediatrics

Internship at Baylor College of Medicine: 06/2002 - Houston, TX; Pediatrics

AB from Harvard University: 06/1997 - Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States; Biochemistry

Fellowship from Baylor College Of Medicine: 06/2009 - Houston, TX, United States; Pediatric Emergency Medicine

MPH from University Of Texas School Of Public Health: 01/2009 - Houston, Texas, United States; Epidemiology

MD from Baylor College Of Medicine: 06/2009 - Houston, Texas, United States; Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Certifications

American Board of Pediatrics

Websites

VIICTR Publications List

Selected Publications

Doughty CB, Cruz AT, Kaplan SL. " A bullous lesion in a neutropenic adolescent. " Pediatr Emerg Care. 2009 Feb ; 25 (2) : 100-1.
Pubmed PMID: 19225377.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " A current review of infection control for childhood tuberculosis. " Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2011 Dec ; 91 : S11-5.
Pubmed PMID: 22079589.
Cazacu AC, Cruz AT, Kaplan SL. " Abdominal pain and fever in an adolescent. " Semin Pediatr Infect Dis. 2005 Oct ; 16 (4) : 234, 342-3.
Pubmed PMID: 16210103.
Cruz AT, Palazzi DL. " An adolescent with fever, cough, & diffuse lymphadenopathy. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2007 Mar ; 26 (3) : 275, 280-1.
Pubmed PMID: 17484234.
Chu TT, Groh J, Cruz AT. " Cerebrospinal fluid findings in infants with pertussis or parapertussis(1)). " Clin. Chem. Lab. Med.. 2011 Aug ; 49 (8) : 1341-4.
Pubmed PMID: 21663570.
Cruz AT, Ong LT, Starke JR. " Childhood pleural tuberculosis: a review of 45 cases. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2009 Nov ; 28 (11) : 981-4.
Pubmed PMID: 19672211.
Cruz AT, Mandalakas AM, Starke JR. " Childhood tuberculosis: a preventable disease not being prevented. " Pediatrics. 2012 Dec ; 130 (6) : e1672-3.
Pubmed PMID: 23184112.
Cruz AT, Antekeier SB. " Chronic Multifocal Mycobacterium fortuitum Osteomyelitis Following Penetrating Plantar Trauma. " Am J. Orthop.. 2012 Aug ; 41 (8) : E109-11.
Pubmed PMID: 22900254.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Clinical manifestations of tuberculosis in children. " Paediatr Respir Rev. 2007 Jun ; 8 (2) : 107-17.
Pubmed PMID: 17574154.
Cruz AT, Geltemeyer AM, Starke JR, Flores JA, Graviss EA, Smith KC. " Comparing the Tuberculin Skin Test and T-SPOT.TB Blood Test in Children. " Pediatrics. 2011 Jan ; 127 (1) : e31-8.
Pubmed PMID: 21135009.
Leary TP, Erker JC, Chalmers ML, Cruz AT, Wetzel JD, Desai SM, Mushahwar IK, Dermody TS. " Detection of mammalian reovirus RNA by using reverse transcription-PCR: sequence diversity within the lambda3-encoding L1 gene. " J. Clin. Microbiol.. 2002 Apr ; 40 (4) : 1368-75.
Pubmed PMID: 11923358.
Cruz AT, Ong LT, Starke JR. " Emergency department presentation of children with tuberculosis. " Acad Emerg Med. 2011 Jul ; 18 (7) : 726-32.
Pubmed PMID: 21762235.
Gaines NN, Patel B, Williams EA, Cruz AT. " Etiologies of septic shock in a pediatric emergency department population. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2012 Nov ; 31 (11) : 1203-5.
Pubmed PMID: 23073317.
Cuevas LE, Browning R, Bossuyt P, Casenghi M, Cotton MF, Cruz AT, Dodd LE, Drobniewski F, Gale M, Graham SM, Grzemska M, Heinrich N, Hesseling AC, Huebner R, Jean-Philippe P, Kabra SK, Kampmann B, Lewinsohn D, Li M, Lienhardt C, Mandalakas AM, Marais BJ, . " Evaluation of tuberculosis diagnostics in children: 2. Methodological issues for conducting and reporting research evaluations of tuberculosis diagnostics for intrathoracic tuberculosis in children. Consensus from an expert panel. " J. Infect. Dis.. 2012 May ; 205 : S209-15.
Pubmed PMID: 22476719.
Yoho RA, Cruz LL, Mazaheri R, Cruz AT. " Hepatitis C: a review. " Plast. Reconstr. Surg.. 2003 Aug ; 112 (2) : 597-605.
Pubmed PMID: 12900622.
Cruz AT, Perry AM, Williams EA, Graf JM, Wuestner ER, Patel B. " Implementation of goal-directed therapy for children with suspected sepsis in the emergency department. " Pediatrics. 2011 Mar ; 127 (3) : e758-66.
Pubmed PMID: 21339277.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Increasing Adherence for Latent Tuberculosis Infection Therapy With Health Department-administered Therapy. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2012 Feb ; 31 (2) : 193-5.
Pubmed PMID: 21979799.
Cruz AT, Tittle KO, Smith ER, Sirbaugh PE. " Increasing Out-of-Hospital Regional Surge Capacity for H1N1 2009 Influenza A Through Existing Community Pediatrician Offices: A Qualitative Description of Quality Improvement Strategies. " Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012 Jun ; 6 (2) : 113-6.
Pubmed PMID: 22700018.
Laos CM, Distefano MC, Cruz AT, Chantal Caviness A, Hsu DC, Patel B. " Mobile Pediatric Emergency Response Team: Patient Satisfaction During the Novel H1N1 Influenza Outbreak. " Acad Emerg Med. 2012 Mar ; 19 (3) : 274-9.
Pubmed PMID: 22435859.
Scott H, Melendez E, Cruz AT. " Mortality after fluid bolus in African children with sepsis. " N. Engl. J. Med.. 2011 Oct 6; 365 (14) : 1350-1; author .
Pubmed PMID: 21991965.
Cruz AT, Ong LT, Starke JR. " Mycobacterial infections in Texas children: a 5-year case series. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2010 Aug ; 29 (8) : 772-4.
Pubmed PMID: 20661106.
Cruz AT, Goytia VK, Starke JR. " Mycobacterium simiae complex infection in an immunocompetent child. " J. Clin. Microbiol.. 2007 Aug ; 45 (8) : 2745-6.
Pubmed PMID: 17537950.
Belfort MA, Saade GR, Moise KJ, Cruz A, Adam K, Kramer W, Kirshon B. " Nimodipine in the management of preeclampsia: maternal and fetal effects. " Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.. 1994 Aug ; 171 (2) : 417-24.
Pubmed PMID: 8059821.
Mian AI, Laham FR, Cruz AT, Garg H, Macias CG, Caviness AC, Piedra PA. " Nitric oxide metabolites as biomarkers for influenza-like acute respiratory infections presenting to the emergency room. " Open Respir Med J. 2012 ; 6 : 127-34.
Pubmed PMID: 23166571.
Cruz AT, Patel B, DiStefano MC, Codispoti CR, Shook JE, Demmler-Harrison GJ, Sirbaugh PE. " Outside the box and into thick air: implementation of an exterior mobile pediatric emergency response team for North American H1N1 (swine) influenza virus in Houston, Texas. " Ann Emerg Med. 2010 Jan ; 55 (1) : 23-31.
Pubmed PMID: 19837479.
Cruz AT, Cazacu AC, Allen CH. " Pantoea agglomerans, a plant pathogen causing human disease. " J. Clin. Microbiol.. 2007 Jun ; 45 (6) : 1989-92.
Pubmed PMID: 17442803.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Pediatric tuberculosis. " Pediatr Rev. 2010 Jan ; 31 (1) : 13-25; quiz 25-.
Pubmed PMID: 20048035.
Cruz AT, Cazacu AC, McBride LJ, Greer JM, Demmler GJ. " Performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of influenza virus in children during the 2003 to 2004 influenza season. " Ann Emerg Med. 2006 Mar ; 47 (3) : 250-4.
Pubmed PMID: 16492491.
Cruz AT, Cazacu AC, Greer JM, Demmler GJ. " Performance of a rapid assay (Binax NOW) for detection of respiratory syncytial virus at a children's hospital over a 3-year period. " J. Clin. Microbiol.. 2007 Jun ; 45 (6) : 1993-5.
Pubmed PMID: 17428942.
Cruz AT, Demmler-Harrison GJ, Caviness AC, Buffone GJ, Revell PA. " Performance of a Rapid Influenza Test in Children During the H1N1 2009 Influenza A Outbreak. " Pediatrics. 2010 Mar ; 125 (3) : e645-50.
Pubmed PMID: 20156902.
Cruz AT, Cazacu AC, Greer JM, Demmler GJ. " Rapid assays for the diagnosis of influenza A and B viruses in patients evaluated at a large tertiary care children's hospital during two consecutive winter seasons. " J. Clin. Virol.. 2008 Feb ; 41 (2) : 143-7.
Pubmed PMID: 18083627.
Cruz AT. " Review: physical interventions may reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses. " Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2011 Aug ; 96 (4) : 160.
Pubmed PMID: 21653737.
Cruz AT, Williams EA, Graf JM, Perry AM, Harbin DE, Wuestner ER, Patel B. " Test characteristics of an automated age- and temperature-adjusted tachycardia alert in pediatric septic shock. " Pediatr Emerg Care. 2012 Sep ; 28 (9) : 889-94.
Pubmed PMID: 22929140.
Cruz AT, Franklin GY, Kaplan SL. " Toxocariasis causing eosinophilic ascites. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2008 Jun ; 27 (6) : 563-4.
Pubmed PMID: 18434937.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Treatment of tuberculosis in children. " Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2008 Dec ; 6 (6) : 939-57.
Pubmed PMID: 19053906.
Lopez MA, Cruz AT, Kowalkowski MA, Raphael JL. " Trends in resource utilization for hospitalized children with skin and soft tissue infections. " Pediatrics. 2013 Mar ; 131 (3) : e718-25.
Pubmed PMID: 23439899.
Cruz AT, Medina D, Whaley EM, Ware KM, Koy TH, Starke JR. " Tuberculosis among Families of Children with Suspected Tuberculosis and Employees at a Children's Hospital. " Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011 Feb ; 32 (2) : 188-90.
Pubmed PMID: 21460477.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Twice-weekly therapy for children with tuberculosis infection or exposure. " Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis.. 2013 Feb ; 17 (2) : 169-74.
Pubmed PMID: 23317951.
Crouse HL, Macias CG, Cruz AT, Wilson KA, Torrey SB. " Utilization of a mobile medical van for delivering pediatric care in the bateys of the Dominican Republic. " Int J Emerg Med. 2010 ; 3 (4) : 227-32.
Pubmed PMID: 21373288.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Unsuspected central nervous system lesions in a small child. " Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J.. 2007 Jan ; 26 (1) : 91, 94-5.
Pubmed PMID: 17195718.
Cruz AT, Marape M, Graviss EA, Starke JR. " Performance of the QuantiFERON interferon gamma release assay in HIV-infected children in Botswana " J Int Assoc Providers AIDS Care. 2015 ; 14 (4) : 4-7.
Pubmed PMID: 25149414.
Highsmith HY, Cruz AT, Guffey H, Minard CG, Starke JR. " Healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Ebola at a children’s hospital " Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2015 ; 34 (8) : 901-903.
Pubmed PMID: 26020407.
Zhorne DJ, Altobelli ME, Cruz AT. " Impact of antibiotic pretreatment on bone biopsy yield for children with acute hematogenous osteomyelitis " Hosp Pediatr. 2015 ; 5 (6) : 337-341.
Pubmed PMID: 26020407.
Sloas HA, Ence TC, Mendez DR, Cruz AT. " At the intersection of toxicology, psychiatry, and genetics: a diagnosis of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency " Am J Emerg Med. 2013 ; 31 (9) : e5-6.
Pubmed PMID: 23790482.
vi. Chiang SS, Cruz AT, Del Castillo H, Contreras C, Becerra MC, Lecca L. " Evaluation of providers’ knowledge of childhood tuberculosis " Paediatr Int Child Health. 2015 ; 35 (1) : 29-35.
Pubmed PMID: 25161060.
Cruz AT, Karam LB, Orth RC, Starke JR. " Disseminated tuberculosis in two children with inflammatory bowel disease receiving infliximab " Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 ; 33 (7) : 779-781.
Pubmed PMID: 24469071.
iv. Crouse HL, Torres F, Vaides H, Walsh MT, Ishigami EM, Cruz AT, Torrey SB, Soto MA. " Impact of an emergency triage assessment and treatment (ETAT) process in the pediatric emergency department of a Guatemalan public hospital " Paediatr Int Child Health. 2015 ;
Pubmed PMID: 25940386.
Lopez MA, Cruz AT, Kowalkowski MA, Raphael JL. " Factors associated with high resource utilization in pediatric skin and soft tissue hospitalizations " Hosp Pediatr. 2013 ; 3 (4)
Pubmed PMID: 24377057.
Daftary R, Cruz AT, Reaves E, Garrett A, Fagbuyi D, Kapur BG, Christian M, Burkle F, Sirbaugh PE. " Making disaster care count: consensus formulation of measures of effectiveness for natural disaster acute phase medical response " Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014 ; 29 (5) : 431-467.
Pubmed PMID: 25226070.
Correa JA, Fallon SC, Cruz AT, Grawe GH, Vu PV, Rubalcava DM, Kaziny B, Naik-Mathuria BJ, Brandt ML. " Management of pediatric snakebites: are we doing too much? " J Pediatr Surg. 2014 ; 49 (6) : 1009-1015.
Pubmed PMID: 24888853.
Starke JR, Cruz AT. " The global nature of childhood tuberculosis " Pediatrics. 2014 ; 133 (3) : e725-727.
Pubmed PMID: 24515521.
Cruz AT, Ahmed A, Mandalakas AM, Starke JR.. " Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. " J Pediatr Infect Dis Soc. 2013 ; 2 : 248-258.
viii. Lopez MA, Cruz AT, Kowalkowski M, Raphael JL. " Trends in hospitalizations and resource utilization for pediatric pertussis " Hosp Pediatr. 2015 ; 4 (5) : 269-275.
Pubmed PMID: 25318108.
Cruz AT, Merchant O, Zafar A, Starke JR. " Tuberculosis exposure, infection, and disease among children with medical comorbidities " Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 ; 33 (8) : 885-888.
Pubmed PMID: 24642517.
Cruz AT, Airewele G, Starke JR. " Tuberculosis in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation patients " Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2014 ; 61 (8) : 1484-1485.
Pubmed PMID: 24623644.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " What’s in a number? The importance of accurate estimates of childhood tuberculosis cases " Lancet Global Health. 2014 ; 2 (8) : e432-433.
Pubmed PMID: 25103504.
Cruz AT, Naik-Mathuria BJ, Bisset GS. " Pneumatosis intestinalis in a corticosteroid-dependent child " J Emerg Med. 2015 ; 48 (5) : 607-608.
Pubmed PMID: 25726256.
Bui D, Cruz AT, Graviss EA. " Procedural factors associated with indeterminate pediatric interferon gamma release assays " Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 ; 33 (2) : 220-222.
Pubmed PMID: 24413410.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Relationship between tuberculin skin test (TST) size and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) result: when should clinicians obtain IGRAs in children with positive PPDs? " Clin Pediatr. 2014 ; 53 (12) : 1196-1199.
Pubmed PMID: 24367000.
Cruz AT, Starke JR. " Safety and completion of a four-month course of rifampin for latent tuberculosis infection in children " Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2014 ; 18 (9) : 1057-1061.
Pubmed PMID: 25189552.
Kazi BA, Revell PA, Buffone GJ, Cruz AT. " Performance of point-of-care versus traditional urinalysis for the prediction of urinary tract infection in children " Am J Emerg Med. 2013 ; 31 (9) : 1405-1407.
Pubmed PMID: 23891600.
ix. Birnbaum GD, Marquez L, Hwang KM, Cruz AT. " Neurological deterioration in a child undergoing treatment for tuberculosis meningitis " Pediatr Emerg Care. 2014 ; 30 (8) : 566-567.
Pubmed PMID: 25098802.
Cruz AT, Starke JR, Lobato MN. " Old and new approaches to diagnosing and treating latent tuberculosis in children in low-incidence countries " Curr Opin Pediatr. 2014 ; 26 (1) : 106-113.
Pubmed PMID: 24377057.
Cruz AT, Birnbaum GD, Hwang KM, Starke JR. " Adolescent tuberculosis: a review of 145 cases " Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2013 ; 32 (9) : 937-941.
Pubmed PMID: 23538527.

Languages

Spanish