Pediatric Bacteremia: Changing Etiology and Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance

While vaccine-preventable bacteremia decreased after introduction of the pneumococcal vaccine in the U.K., gram-negative bacteremia and antibiotic resistance increased, particularly among children at risk for healthcare-associated infections.

In a retrospective analysis of children presenting to a pediatric emergency department (ED) in the U.K., investigators described changes in the etiology of bacteremia from 2001 to 2011 (pneumococcal vaccine was introduced in 2006). Bacteremia was considered healthcare-associated (HCA) in children with indwelling devices, primary or acquired immunodeficiency, regular hospital-based interventions (e.g., hemodialysis, intravenous therapies), or preterm birth and discharge from the neonatal unit within the past 12 months.

A total of 525 children (median age, 1.5 years) presented with 575 episodes of bacteremia. The rate of bacteremia was 1.4 per 1000 children; mortality was 5%. The most common organisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (19%), Neiss…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Pediatric Bacteremia: Changing Etiology and Patterns of Antibiotic Resistance

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Reviewing Author