Why is this important?
- The consequences of a missed infection are significant, but a thorough workup can be counterproductive.
- Most pathogens can be isolated within 24 hours.
Principle results
- 0.42% of patients (n=72) had true bacteraemia.
- 35 patients had received 2 of 3 doses of pneumococcal vaccine.
- Two patients had received one dose.
- The most common bacteria were species Streptococcus pneumoniae, Kingella kingaeet Salmonella.
- Followed :
- 85.7% of patients (n = 60) were called back to the pediatric emergency department (ED) or had an appointment scheduled.
- 14.3% of patients (n=10) returned spontaneously.
- Two patients were contacted by telephone.
- 84.7% of patients were hospitalized.
- Median length of stay: 5.6 days (interquartile range [IIQ] : 2,8–6,4).
- One patient was subsequently admitted to intensive care.
- Median time between visits: 28.7 hours (IQR: 19.1–41.1).
- One child presented with endocarditis resulting in hemiparesis, facial paralysis and seizure disorders.
- Another child presented with meningitis resulting in hearing loss.
- No deaths were reported.
Methodology
- A retrospective, single-center cohort study included healthy-appearing, immunocompetent children in Israel, 3 to 36 months of age (n = 17,114).
- All children were evaluated for fever, cultured, and discharged home.
- Endpoint: death; admission to intensive care.
- Funding: no funding has been communicated.
Limits
- The percentage of children fully vaccinated once morest pneumococcal disease is unclear.
- The results may not be generalizable.
