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Staphylococcal infections in children, California, USA, 1985-2009

Kathleen Gutierrez1, Meira S Halpern, Clea Sarnquist

  • 1Stanford University School of Medicine-Pediatrics, Stanford, California 94305, USA. mdkat@stanford.edu

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Staphylococcal infections significantly impacted pediatric hospitalizations in California from 1985-2009, with rising incidence and increased mortality risk. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cases grew, particularly affecting young children and uninsured individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Staphylococcal infections pose a significant threat to child health.
  • Understanding trends in pediatric staphylococcal infections is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and outcomes of staphylococcal infections in hospitalized children in California.
  • To analyze trends in community-onset, healthcare-associated, and hospital-onset infections.
  • To identify demographic and socioeconomic risk factors associated with staphylococcal infections in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective, observational, population-based study using California discharge data (1985-2009).
  • Inclusion of 140,265 hospitalization records for children with staphylococcal infections.
  • Calculation of infection incidence relative to the general child population and those in acute-care facilities.

Main Results:

  • Overall staphylococcal infection incidence increased from 49/100,000 in 1985 to a peak of 83/100,000 in 2006.
  • Staphylococcal infections were linked to longer hospital stays and increased mortality risk.
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections rose, while methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) remained stable.
  • Children under 3, Black children, and those without private insurance faced higher hospitalization risks.

Conclusions:

  • Staphylococcal infections represent a growing burden on pediatric healthcare, with notable increases in MRSA.
  • Vulnerable pediatric populations, including young children and those with limited insurance, are disproportionately affected.
  • Public health strategies should address the rising incidence of staphylococcal infections, particularly MRSA, in children.

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