Related Experiment Videos

Predictors of serious bacterial infection in children aged 3 to 36 months with fever without source

P L Goh1, S W Lee, E H Wong

  • 1Accident and Emergency Department, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. pak_liang_goh@cgh.com.sg

Singapore Medical Journal
|March 31, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Identifying serious bacterial infection in children with fever without source is challenging. Elevated white blood cell counts and prolonged fever duration are key predictors of infection risk in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Fever without source is common in children, but identifying serious bacterial infections (SBIs) remains difficult.
  • Current methods for risk stratification of SBIs in febrile children are unreliable.
  • This study addresses the need for better predictors of SBI in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify predictors of serious bacterial infection in children aged 3-36 months presenting with fever without source.
  • To improve the diagnostic accuracy for SBI in pediatric patients.
  • To provide clinicians with evidence-based tools for risk assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of inpatient records from a major pediatric hospital.
  • Inclusion criteria: children aged 3-36 months with fever without source (ICD codes 038, 079, 780).
  • Statistical analysis to identify significant predictors of SBI.

Main Results:

  • 17 out of 86 (19.8%) enrolled children had SBI.
  • White blood cell (WBC) count ≥16,000/mm³ (OR 6.9) and fever duration >3 days (OR 3.8) were significant predictors of SBI.
  • A combination of WBC <16,000/mm³ and fever ≤3 days showed high negative predictive value (1.0) and sensitivity (1.0).

Conclusions:

  • Duration of fever and WBC count are significant predictors of SBI in children with fever without source.
  • These predictors can help estimate the risk of SBI in the target pediatric population.
  • The findings support improved clinical decision-making for febrile children.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Types of Fever01:25

Types of Fever

Fever can be triggered by several factors, including infections, nervous system disorders, certain cancers, blood diseases like leukemia, embolism, thrombosis, heatstroke, dehydration, surgical trauma, crushing injuries, and allergic reactions.
Here are the different types of fever:
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Acute Pharyngitis01:30

Acute Pharyngitis

Introduction
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...