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Prevalence of streptococcal pharyngitis and streptococcal carriage in children: a meta-analysis

Nader Shaikh1, Erica Leonard, Judith M Martin

  • 1Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, General Academic Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3414 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2583, USA. nader.shaikh@chp.edu

Pediatrics
|August 11, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This meta-analysis found that 37% of children with sore throats have Group A Streptococcus (GAS). Younger children (under 5) had lower GAS prevalence, while 12% of asymptomatic children carried GAS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pharyngitis is a common childhood illness.
  • Accurate prevalence data for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) aids clinical decision-making for diagnostic testing.
  • Understanding GAS carriage in asymptomatic children is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of streptococcal infection in children presenting with sore throat.
  • To determine the prevalence of streptococcal carriage in asymptomatic children.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted on Medline for studies on pediatric streptococcal pharyngitis.
  • Included studies reported prevalence data of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) from pharyngeal specimens in children under 18.
  • Data were extracted and pooled using meta-analysis, stratified by age group.

Main Results:

  • The pooled prevalence of GAS in children with sore throat was 37% (95% CI: 32%-43%).
  • Prevalence was lower in children younger than 5 years (24%; 95% CI: 21%-26%).
  • The prevalence of GAS carriage in asymptomatic children was 12% (95% CI: 9%-14%).

Conclusions:

  • Prevalence rates of GAS disease and carriage differ by age.
  • Children under 5 years exhibited lower rates of positive GAS throat cultures.
Abstract

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