Bacterial coinfection in young febrile infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

We aimed to assess the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in febrile infants < 90 days of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection versus SARS-CoV-2-negative febrile infants. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric emergency department between March 2020 and October 2022. Febrile infants < 90 days of age who underwent SARS-CoV-2 testing were included. SBIs were defined as urinary tract infection (UTI), bacteremia, and/or bacterial meningitis; bacteremia and bacterial meningitis were considered invasive bacterial infections (IBIs). SBIs rates were compared between SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative infants and stratified by age. We included 779 infants: 221 (28.4%) SARS-CoV-2-positive and 558 (71.6%) SARS-CoV-2-negative. The SBI rate in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group was 5.9% vs 22.9% in the SARS-CoV-2-negative group (p < 0.001; relative risk (RR) 0.26; [95% CI 0.15-0.44]); the most common infections were UTI (5.4% vs 22.0%; p < 0.001). The IBI rate was 0.5% in the SARS-CoV-2-positive group vs. 3.2% in the negative group (p = 0.024; RR 0.14 [95% CI 0.02-1.04]). There were no cases of bacterial meningitis in the positive infants. SARS-CoV-2-positive infants > 28 days of age had a decreased likelihood of SBI (RR 0.22 [95% CI 0.11-0.43]), with no cases of IBI identified.     Conclusions: Febrile infants < 90 days of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at significantly lower risk of SBIs than those who are SARS-CoV-2-negative. Nevertheless, the rate of UTI remains considerable in SARS-CoV-2-positive infants. SARS-CoV-2 detection may be relevant in considering IBI risk for well-appearing febrile infants 29-89 days of age. What is Known: • Febrile infants with laboratory-confirmed viral infections have a significantly lower risk of serious bacterial infections when compared to those without them. Data focusing on very young febrile infants with a SARS-CoV-2 infection is still limited. What is New: • Young febrile infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection are at significantly lower risk of serious bacterial infections than those who are SARS-CoV-2-negative. Nevertheless, the rate of urinary tract infection remains considerable. SARS-CoV-2 detection may be relevant in considering invasive bacterial infection risk for well-appearing febrile infants 29-89 days of age.

A simple clinical decision rule may help to rule out severe bacterial infection and spare antibiotics in febrile young children.

AIM: To assess the performance of a new clinical decision rule (CDR) to identify patients at a low risk of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) among febrile children and its theoretical impact on antibiotic use. METHODS: Prospective study including consecutive children <5 years of age who presented in one French paediatric emergency department with fever without source between January and December 2016. With the collected data, we constructed a CDR based on a sequential approach based on age, clinical toxic signs, urinalysis and procalcitonin level. We evaluated its diagnostic performances to identify IBI and its potential impact on antibiotic use. RESULTS: Among the 1061 children (IBI 11/1061, 1.0%), 693 (65.3%) were classified at low or intermediate risk of IBI, with an IBI prevalence of 0%. The sensitivity and specificity of the CDR to predict IBI were 100% and 73.9%. Negative and positive predictive value were 100% and 3.9%, respectively. Using this new CDR, the current antibiotics exposure would theoretically be reduced from 33.6% to 24.1%. CONCLUSION: The promising interest of this clinical decision rule, using simple and accessible biological and clinical tools, needs to be confirm with an external validation study, which will allow its use in clinical practice.

Fever without source as the first manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants less than 90 days old.

Fever without source (FWS) in infants is a frequent cause of consultation at the emergency department, and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 could affect the approach to those infants. The aim of this study is to define the clinical characteristics and rates of bacterial coinfections of infants < 90 days with FWS as the first manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is a cross-sectional study of infants under 90 days of age with FWS and positive SARS-CoV2 PCR in nasopharyngeal swab/aspirate, attended at the emergency departments of 49 Spanish hospitals (EPICO-AEP cohort) from March 1 to June 26, 2020. Three hundred and thirty-three children with COVID-19 were included in EPICO-AEP. A total of 67/336 (20%) were infants less than 90 days old, and 27/67(40%) presented with FWS. Blood cultures were performed in 24/27(89%) and were negative in all but one (4%) who presented a Streptococcus mitis bacteremia. Urine culture was performed in 26/27(97%) children and was negative in all, except in two (7%) patients. Lumbar puncture was performed in 6/27(22%) cases, with no growth of bacteria. Two children had bacterial coinfections: 1 had UTI and bacteremia, and 1 had UTI. C-reactive was protein over 20 mg/L in two children (one with bacterial coinfection), and procalcitonin was normal in all. One child was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit because of apnea episodes. No patients died.Conclusion: FWS was frequent in infants under 90 days of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Standardized markers to rule out bacterial infections remain useful in this population, and the outcome is generally good. What is Known: • Fever without source (FWS) in infants is a common cause of consultation at the emergency department, and young infants have a higher risk of serious bacterial infections (SBI). • The emergence of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 could affect the approach to young infants with FWS in the emergency department. management of those children is a challenge because information about bacterial coinfection and prognosis is scarce. What is New: • SARS-CoV-2 infection should be ruled out in young infants (< 90 days of age) with FWS in areas with community transmission. • Bacterial coinfection rarely coexists in those infants. • Inflammatory markers were not increased in children without bacterial coinfection. • Outcome is good in most patients.

Risk factors for urinary tract infections in children aged 0-36months presenting with fever without source and evaluated for risk of serious bacterial infections.

BACKGROUND: Children younger than 36 months with fever without a source (FWS) are at risk of serious bacterial infections (SBI). The risk of occult bacteremia (OB) has been greatly reduced in vaccinated children. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiology of SBI in children with FWS in our setting and to evaluate the performance of our management algorithm. METHODS: We designed a prospective cohort study. We included children aged 0-36 months presenting with FWS in our emergency unit. Demographic and clinical characteristics, investigations, and management procedures were recorded at the time of inclusion. Information on clinical evolution, final diagnosis, and immunization history were obtained after 10 days. Potential predictors of SBI were compared between patients with and without SBI. RESULTS: Between October 2015 and September 2017, 173 children were recruited, with a median age of 4.4 months (2.1-1). Of these children, 166 (96%) were up to date with their vaccinations. A total of 47 children (27%) had a final diagnosis of SBI, which were all urinary tract infections (UTI). Presence of chills (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-24.3), fever for>2 days (OR 29.1, 95% CI 3.5-243.5), and age<9 months (OR: 45.3, 95% CI: 4.9-415.7) were statistically significant predictors of UTI in a multivariate logistic regression. The sensitivity and specificity of our management algorithm were 100% (95% CI: 92.4-100%) and 21.4% (14.6-29.6%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of high vaccination coverage, we only identified SBI related to UTIs. We could not identify any OB. Our management algorithm was able to identify all SBI, but specificity was low. Refined criteria for screening of UTI could slightly increase this.

Assessment of the impact of a new sequential approach to antimicrobial use in young febrile children in the emergency department (DIAFEVERCHILD): a French prospective multicentric controlled, open, cluster-randomised, parallel-group study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Fever is one of the most common reasons for consultation in the paediatric emergency department (ED). Because of fear of bacterial infection in parents and caregivers, clinicians often overprescribe laboratory tests and empirical antibiotic treatment. The aims of this study are to demonstrate that using a procalcitonin (PCT) rapid test-based prediction rule (1) would not be inferior to usual practice in terms of morbidity and mortality (non-inferiority objective) and (2) would result in a significant reduction in antibiotic use (superiority objective). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective multicentric cluster-randomised study aims to include 7245 febrile children aged 6 days to 3 years with a diagnosis of fever without source in 26 participating EDs in France and Switzerland during a 24-month period. During first period, all children will receive usual care. In a second period, a point-of-care PCT-based algorithm will be used in half of the clusters. The primary endpoints collected on day 15 after ED consultation will be a composite outcome of death or intensive care unit admission for any reason, disease-specific complications, diagnosis of bacterial infection after discharge from the ED for the non-inferiority objective and proportion of children with antibiotic treatment administered for the superiority objective. The endpoints will be compared between the two groups (experimental and control) by using a mixed logistic regression model adjusted on clustering of participants within centres and period within centres. DISCUSSION: If the algorithm is validated, a new strategy will be discussed with medical societies to safely manage fever in young children without the need for invasive procedures for microbiological testing or empirical antibiotics. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was submitted to an independent ethics committee on 17 May 2018 (no. 2018-A00252-53). Results will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03607162; Pre-results.

Comparison of initial and final diagnoses in children with acute febrile illness: A retrospective, descriptive study: Initial and final diagnoses in children with acute fever.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to elucidate the etiologies and diagnostic errors of early-phase pediatric fever without an obvious cause. METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, descriptive study included 1334 febrile children hospitalized at Beppu Medical Center in Japan between 2014 and 2018. Eligibility criteria were age ≤12 years, axillary temperature ≥38.0°C, and fever duration ≤7 days at admission. Initial diagnoses on the day of admission and final diagnoses at defervescence were divided into initial fever with identified source (FIS) and initial fever without source (FWS) and final FIS and final FWS, respectively. The etiology of initial FWS and diagnostic discordance between initial FIS and final FIS were investigated. RESULTS: Of the 1334 participants, 94 (7.0%) were diagnosed with initial FWS. Among patients with initial FWS, final diagnoses were confirmed in 40 (43%), including Kawasaki disease in 17, urinary tract infection in 5, bacteremia in 4, exanthem subitum in 3, and the others in 11. Among the 1275 patients diagnosed with final FIS, diagnostic discordances between initial and final diagnoses were observed in 131 patients (10%). The multiple logistic regression analysis identified increased serum C-reactive protein value at admission (odds ratio [OR]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.13), exanthem subitum (OR: 409; 95% CI: 119-1399), and Kawasaki disease (OR: 14.3; 95% CI: 8.7-23.3) as independent risk factors for diagnostic discordance. CONCLUSION: Exanthem subitum and Kawasaki disease may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in febrile children with fever duration ≤7 days.

Neurodevelopment medium-term outcome after parechovirus infection.

AIM: Human parechoviruses (HPeV) are responsible for fever without a source (FWS), sepsis-like illness and encephalitis in neonates and children under 3 months of age. Short-term outcome is generally good, but there is great concern about medium and long- term outcome of infants after HPeV infection. The aim of this study is to assess the medium-term outcome in infants following HPeV infection without encephalitis. METHODS: Patients who suffered HPeV infection involving cerebrospinal fluid were evaluated twice using Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3). The first evaluation was conducted at least one year after the infection and the second one year later. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were evaluated in the first assessment, and three of them presented mild alterations in motor function domains. Moreover, hypotonia was observed in the neurologic exam in one case, and hemiparesis in another case. In the second assessment fifteen patients were included, and only the patient with hemiparesis continued presenting gross motor disfunction, with complete recovery of the remaining patients. INTERPRETATION: We have observed a good medium-term prognosis in infants after HPeV infections, with improvement of mild motor alterations after at-home intervention. Infants who suffer HPeV infection without encephalitis seem to have a better prognosis than those with encephalitis.

Occult bacteremia etiology following the introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: a multicenter study in Spain.

Little is known about occult bacteremia (OB) in Spain following the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13). Our aim was to describe the microbiologic characteristics and management of OB among children aged 3-36 months in Spain in the era of PCV13. Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of positive blood cultures collected at 22 Spanish emergency departments (ED). Positive blood cultures performed on patients aged 3-36 months from 2011 to 2015 were retrospectively identified. Immunocompetent infants with a final diagnosis of OB were included. Non-well-appearing patients and patients with fever > 72 h were excluded. We analyzed 67 cases (median age 12.5 months [IQR 8.7-19.4]). Thirty-seven (54.4%) had received ≥ 1 dose of PCV. Overall, 47 (70.1%) were initially managed as outpatients (38.3% of them with antibiotic treatment). Phone contact was established with 43 (91.5%) of them after receiving the blood culture result and 11 (23.4%) were hospitalized with parenteral antibiotic. All patients did well. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 79.1% of the patients (42.2% of the isolated serotypes were included in the PCV13). S. pneumoniae remains the first cause of OB in patients attended in the ED, mainly with non-PCV13 serotypes. Most of the patients with OB were initially managed as outpatients with no adverse outcome.

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein may help to detect invasive bacterial infections in children who have fever without source.

AIM: This study evaluated the epidemiology and performance of biomarkers for identifying bacterial infections in children who presented with fever without source. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in the paediatric department at the University Hospital of Nantes, France, in 2016. Children older than six days and younger than five years of age were included. RESULTS: A total of 1060 children (52.2% male) with fever without source were admitted, and the median age was 17 months (interquartile range: 6.6-24.3 months). Severe bacterial infections were diagnosed in 127 (11.9%) children and invasive bacterial infections in 11 (1.0%) children: four (0.3%) with bacterial meningitis and seven (0.6%) with bacteraemia. A further 114 (10.7%) had urinary tract infections. We explored the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves for identifying invasive bacterial infections. The curves for procalcitonin and C-reactive protein assays were better than those for the absolute neutrophil counts and the white blood cell counts. CONCLUSION: This study found that there was a low prevalence of invasive bacterial infections in children who presented with fever without source. It also showed that procalcitonin and C-reactive protein may help to detect invasive bacterial infections in children who have fever without source.

Performance of risk stratification criteria in the management of febrile young infants younger than three months of age.

AIM: We evaluated the diagnosis, risk stratification and management of febrile infants under three months of age who presented to an Israeli paediatric emergency room (ER). METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled all febrile infants examined in the paediatric ER of Soroka Medical Center during 2010-2013. The patients were classified into low-risk and high-risk subgroups and compared by age and ethnicity. RESULTS: Overall, 2251 febrile infants (60.5% of Bedouin and 34.4% of Jewish ethnicity) were enrolled. Hospitalisation rates were higher among Bedouin vs. Jewish infants (55 vs. 39.8%, p < 0.001). Fever without localising signs was diagnosed in 1028 (45.6%) infants and 499 (48.5%) were hospitalised; 26% were stratified as high-risk and 74% as low-risk. Bedouin infants rates were more likely to be at high-risk (p = 0.001) and hospitalised (p < 0.001) than Jewish infants. With regard to low-risk infants, the incidence rates were higher before two months than two to three months of age (73.3 vs. 59%, p < 0.001), as were the hospitalisation rates (46.3 vs. 20.1%, p < 0.001). No differences were recorded for the hospitalisation rates of Bedouin and Jewish infants between the three daily shifts. CONCLUSION: Major differences were recorded in hospitalisation rates, risk stratification and management of Bedouin and Jewish infants with fever without localising signs.

C-reactive protein concentrations can help to determine which febrile infants under three months should receive blood cultures during influenza seasons.

AIM: We explored whether C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations could indicate which infants with fever without source (FWS) should receive undergo blood culture tests during influenza seasons. METHODS: This retrospective study focused on patients under three months of age with FWS who had received blood culture tests at the West China Second University Hospital Paediatric Emergency Department during the influenza seasons from June 2013 to January 2015. The statistical analysis comprised specificity, sensitivity, multilevel likelihood ratios (LRs), receiver operating characteristic analysis and a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: We enrolled 592 febrile patients and 7.1% had bacteraemia, with levels falling with increasing age. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimum threshold of CRP was 30.5 mg/L, and when the CRP level was higher than 30.5 mg/L, the positive LR of bacteraemia was 2.32. In patients aged 29-90 days, when the CRP level was higher than 5 mg/L, the negative LR of bacteraemia was 0.38. In the neonatal group, a CRP level of ≥30.5 mg/L had a positive LR of bacteraemia of 3.55. CONCLUSION: We found that CRP concentrations could indicate which febrile children under three months of age should undergo blood culture tests during influenza seasons.

[Aetiology and outcomes of potentially serious infections in febrile infants less than 3 months old]. / Etiología y evolución de las infecciones potencialmente graves en lactantes menores de 3 meses febriles.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown changes in the aetiology of serious bacterial infections in febrile infants ≤ 90 days of age. The aim of this study was to describe the current microbiology and outcomes of these infections in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sub-analysis of a prospective multicentre study focusing on febrile infants of less than 91 days of life, admitted between October 2011 and September 2013 to Emergency Departments of 19 Spanish hospitals, members of the Spanish Paediatric Emergency Research Group of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Emergencies (RISeuP/SPERG). RESULTS: The analysis included 3,401 febrile infants ≤90 days of age with fever without source. There were 896 positive cultures: 766 urine (85.5%), 100 blood (11.2%), 18 cerebrospinal fluid (2%), 10 stool, and 2 umbilical cultures. Among the 3,401 infants included, 784 (23%) were diagnosed with a serious bacterial infection, and 107 of them (3.1%) with an invasive infection. E. coli was the most common pathogen isolated from urine (628; 82%), blood (46; 46%), and cerebrospinal fluid cultures (7; 38.9%), followed by S. agalactiae that was isolated from 24 (24%) blood cultures and 3 (16.7%) cerebrospinal fluid cultures. There were only 2 L. monocytogenes infections. Four children died, and seven had severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Among infants ≤ 90 days of age with fever without source, E. coli was the most common pathogen isolated from urine, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid cultures.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Fever Without Source or Unknown Origin-Child.

The cause of fever in a child can often be determined from history, physical examination, and laboratory tests; infections account for the majority of cases. Yet in 20%, no apparent cause can be found, designated as fever without source (FWS). The yield of chest radiography in children with FWS is low, and it is usually not appropriate. However, in children with respiratory signs, high fever (>39°C), or marked leukocytosis (≥20,000/mm(3)), chest radiography is usually appropriate, as it has a higher yield in detecting clinically occult pneumonia. In newborns with FWS, there is higher risk for serious bacterial infection, and the routine use of chest radiography is controversial. In children with neutropenia, fever is a major concern. In some clinical circumstances, such as after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, chest CT scan may be appropriate even if the results of chest radiography are negative or nonspecific, as it has higher sensitivity and can demonstrate specific findings (such as lung nodule and "halo sign") that can guide management. In a child with prolonged fever of unknown origin despite extensive medical workup (fever of unknown origin), diagnosis is usually dependent on clinical and laboratory studies, and imaging tests have low yield. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Impact of rapid influenza diagnostic test on physician estimation of viral infection probability in paediatric emergency department during epidemic period.

BACKGROUND: The clinical diagnosis of influenza is difficult in the younger children. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) on clinicians' estimation of the clinical probability of influenza in children. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective study included children aged from 1 month to 5 years who were admitted in a university paediatric emergency department during an influenza epidemic period and presented with fever without source. The RIDT Quickvue(®) was performed on nasopharyngeal aspiration and results were confirmed with immunofluorescence and/or PCR. The clinical probability of influenza and serious bacterial infection (SBI) was evaluated for each child before and after the physician(s) was informed of the RIDT results. RESULTS: 170 children were included from January 15th through March 18th, 2013. After the only clinical examination, the overall clinical probability of influenza was 66.0% [CI 95%: 63.04-68.4], and was significantly increased at 92.4% [CI 95%: 89.5-95.3] in case of positive RIDT and significantly decreased at 30.8% [CI 95%: 29.0-32.5] in case of negative RIDT without knowing the results of laboratory tests. Whereas the initial clinical probability of influenza were appropriate regarding the prevalence (66.0% vs. 57.0%), the probability of SBI was overestimated (30.2% vs. 8.8%). The RIDT result positive enabled a significant decrease in orders for chest X-rays (64,4% vs. 45.8%, p<0,05) and laboratory tests (71,1% vs. 41.1%, p<0,05). CONCLUSIONS: The RIDT seems to be a useful diagnostic tool for ED clinicians in epidemic conditions. Improving clinician estimation of flu probability would reduce orders for imaging and testing.

Occult bacteraemia is uncommon in febrile infants who appear well, and close clinical follow-up is more appropriate than blood tests.

AIM: The rate of paediatric occult bacteraemia after the introduction of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine is relatively unknown. We determined the rate, and identified isolated pathogens, in children aged three to 36 months who presented to a paediatric emergency department with fever, but otherwise appeared well. We also analysed the yield of laboratory parameters traditionally considered risk factors for occult bacteraemia. METHODS: Children aged three to 36 months who were febrile, but otherwise appeared well, were included if they had blood tests in the paediatric emergency department between April 2010 and September 2012. RESULTS: Of the 591 patients, only six (1.0%) had a true bacterial pathogen and three of those were Streptococcus pneumoniae (0.5%). None of the children with pneumococcal bacteraemia had been immunised. The contaminant rate was 2.7%, and an elevated band count was the best predictor of occult bacteraemia, with positive and negative likelihood ratios of 10 and 0.4, respectively. The yield of the other laboratory parameters was very limited. CONCLUSION: In the era of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine, occult bacteraemia is an uncommon event in febrile children aged three to 36 who otherwise appear well and close follow-up should replace blood analysis in such cases.

Fiebre sin foco en niños menores de 36 meses tratados en el servicio de emergencias del Hospital del Niño "Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría" / Fever without source in children under 36 months treated at emergency department of Hospital del Niño "Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría "

Con el propósito de identificar la etiología de la fiebre sin foco de los niños atendidos en el servicio de emergencias del Hospital del Niño y relacionar los resultados de laboratorio obtenidos con infección bacteriana. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte observacional prospectivo en cien pacientes que acudieron a consulta por fiebre, y en los cuales no se logró identificar un foco infeccioso. Se encontró que la mayor frecuencia de tiempo de fiebre fue de 1 y 2 días. 36% presentaba > 15.000 leucocitos/mm³, 20% presentaba RAN > 10.000/mm³ y 10% bandemia > 500/mm³. Veintiséis pacientes fueron diagnosticados de infección urinaria. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron: infección de vías respiratorias altas e infección urinaria no complicada. 11 pacientes fueron catalogados como infección bacteriana severa. El grado de fiebre mayor a 39° y la probabilidad de cursar con infección bacteriana mostró un RR de 0,8 (IC 95% 0.42-1.82). La asociación de leucocitosis mayor a 15.000/mm³ e infección bacteriana mostró un RR de 3.32 (IC 95% 2.06-5.34). La asociación con un RAN > 10.000/ mm³ tuvo un RR de 3.17 (IC 95% 2.23-4.49), y con bandemia > 500/mm³ un RR de 2.38 (IC 95% 1.07-3.33). Se ratifican los hallazgos identificados en estudios similares, encontrándose como mayores predictores de infección bacteriana la leucocitosis mayor a 15.000/mm³, el RAN mayor a 10.000/mm³ y la bandemia mayor a 500/mm³.

In order to identify the etiology of fever with out source in children treated at emergency department of Hospital del Niño and relate laboratory results obtained with bacterial infection. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted in one hundred patients who attended with fever, and which failed to identify a source of infection. The main results the most common diagnoses were uncomplicated upper respiratory infection and urinary tract infection, 11 patients were classified with severe bacterial infection. The degree of fever greater than 39° and the like lihood of bacterial infection was presented with a RR of 0.8 (95% CI 0.42-1.82). The association of leukocytosis > 15.000/mm³and bacterial infection showed a RR of 3.32 (95% CI 2.06-5.34). Partnering with ANC > 10.000/mm³had an RR of 3.17 (95% CI 2.23-4.49), and band neutrophils > 500/mm³a RR of 2.38 (1.07-3.33 95%). This study ratifies the findings identified in similar studies, found as major predictors of bacterial infection leukocytosis > 15.000/mm³, the ANC > 10.000/mm³ and band neutrophils > 500/mm³.

Fever in the pediatric patient.

Fever is the most common reason that children and infants are brought to emergency departments. Emergency physicians face the challenge of quickly distinguishing benign from life-threatening conditions. The management of fever in children is guided by the patient's age, immunization status, and immune status as well as the results of a careful physical examination and appropriate laboratory tests and radiographic views. In this article, the evaluation and treatment of children with fevers of known and unknown origin are described. Causes of common and dangerous conditions that include fever in their manifestation are also discussed.

Evaluation of child with fever without source: review of literature and update.

Fever is one of the most common reasons for a visit to the primary care provider or the emergency department. Traditionally, clinicians have used various risk-stratification strategies to identify serious bacterial infections (SBI) without an obvious source in febrile children, because missed bacterial infections in such children can result in meningitis, sepsis, and death; therefore, early and accurate identification of SBIs is critical. Infants aged less than 60 to 90 days are at greatest risk of SBI. The epidemiology of SBI continues to evolve, especially after the successful introduction of conjugate vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.

Fever without source in infants and young children: dilemma in diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy surrounding the management of young children who have a fever without a source (FWS). Several strategies have been designed with the purpose of managing children with FWS. AIMS: To assess the applicability of a standardized guideline for children up to 36 months of age with FWS. SETTING: Pediatric emergency unit, Al-Adan Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait, from May 2011 to October 2011. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study involved children with FWS up to 36 months of age. The guideline classifies the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) according to the age of the child, the presence or absence of toxemia, clinical presentation, and laboratory screening tests. RESULTS: A total of 481 children were included in the present study, but only 385 cases completed the study; 3.9% of patients had toxemia at the initial evaluation. We found 26 children with SBI (6.8%); 12 patients with SBI did not present with toxemia. In all, 40.4% of studied newborns were diagnosed as having a urinary tract infection, and 42.7% of patients as self-limited probable viral etiology. Of the 109 young infants without toxemia, 53.2% were classified as being at high risk of SBI. Of the 163 toddlers without toxemia, 72.4% were treated with antibiotics; 48.4% of patients received therapeutic treatment and 25.8% received empirical treatment. CONCLUSION: The guideline followed in our pediatric emergency unit seemed to be appropriate in following up with these children using simple laboratory tests. The most frequent SBI in this sample was urinary tract infection.

Febre sem sinais localizatórios: avaliação de um protocolo de atendimento / Fever without source: evaluation of a guideline

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicabilidade de um protocolo de atendimento padronizado para crianças de até 36 meses de idade com febre sem sinais localizatórios (FSSL). MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte prospectivo em crianças com FSSL atendidas no Pronto-Socorro do Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo (SP), de junho de 2006 a maio de 2007. O protocolo estratifica o risco de infecção bacteriana grave (IBG) de acordo com a presença ou não de toxemia, idade e valor da temperatura. Conforme avaliação de risco, indicava-se triagem laboratorial: hemograma, hemocultura, sedimento urinário, urocultura e, se necessário, radiografia torácica, liquor e coprocultura. RESULTADOS: Foram estudadas 251 crianças das quais 215 foram acompanhadas até o diagnóstico final. Vinte crianças apresentavam toxemia, e 195 estavam em bom estado geral (30 com idade de até 3 meses, e 165, de 3 a 36 meses). Nas crianças de 3 a 36 meses não toxêmicas, 95 tinham temperatura axilar > 39 ºC. Em 107 crianças (49,8 por cento), houve melhora espontânea do quadro febril; em 88 (40,9 por cento), foi identificada doença benigna autolimitada; e em 20 (9,3 por cento), IBG. Dentre as IBG, identificamos 16 infecções urinárias, três pneumonias e uma bacteremia oculta. Das 215, 129 (60 por cento) não receberam qualquer antibioticoterapia, e 86 receberam antibiótico em algum momento (45, empiricamente). O antibiótico empírico foi mantido por, em média, 72 horas. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo aplicado mostrou-se adequado para o seguimento destas crianças que fizeram coleta de exames simples e passíveis de serem realizados na maioria dos serviços. A infecção urinária foi a IBG mais frequente nas crianças com FSSL.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of a standardized guideline for children up to 36 months of age with fever without source (FWS). METHODS: Prospective cohort study involving children with FWS treated at the emergency department of Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, from June 2006 to May 2007. The guideline classifies the risk of serious bacterial infection (SBI) according to the presence or absence of toxemia, age, and temperature. Laboratory screening was based on risk assessment: complete blood count, blood culture, urinalysis, urine culture, and, if necessary, chest radiography, cerebrospinal fluid, and coproculture. RESULTS: We studied 251 children and, of these, 215 were followed up until the final diagnosis. Toxemia was found in 20 children, and 195 were well-appearing (30 up to 3 months old and 165 from 3 to 36 months old). Among those children from 3 to 36 months without toxemia, 95 had axillary temperature > 39 ºC. In 107 (49.8 percent) children, there was spontaneous resolution of fever; in 88 (40.9 percent), benign self-limited disease was identified; and in 20 (9.3 percent), there was SBI. Among the cases of SBI, we identified 16 urinary tract infections, three cases of pneumonia and one occult bacteremia. Of the 215 children, 129 (60 percent) received no antibiotics, and 86 received antibiotics at some point (45 empirically). Empirical antibiotic treatment was maintained for an average of 72 hours. CONCLUSION: The guideline was shown to be appropriate to follow up these children using simple laboratory tests that can be carried out at most health facilities. The most frequent SBI in this sample was urinary tract infection.