Occult Bacteremia Is Rare in Young Children with Unexplained Fever

Since introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine, urinary tract infection has become the most common bacterial infection in children who have fever without localizing signs.

Occult bacteremia and invasive disease are important concerns in children with unexplained high fever. Investigators retrospectively compared the risk for serious infection in children (age range, 3–36 months) who presented to a U.K. pediatric emergency department (ED) with fever (>39^oC) without localizing signs before (1997–1999) and after (2001–2004) introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7).

During the pre-PCV7 period, 17 of 148 children had positive blood cultures, and pathogens were identified in 10 cases (Streptococcus pneumococcus in 6, Moraxella catarrhalis in 2, Staphylococcus aureus in 1, and Streptococcus pyogenes in 1). In the post-PCV7 period, 13 of 275 children had positive blood cultures, and a pathogen was ide…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Occult Bacteremia Is Rare in Young Children with Unexplained Fever

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Reviewing Author