Brain abscesses in children: an Italian multicentre study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Brain abscess is an uncommon but serious condition in children, associated with significant long-term morbidity and mortality.
• Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively analyze clinical data of pediatric patients diagnosed with brain abscess.
• To identify common predisposing factors, causative pathogens, treatment modalities, and sequelae.
• To emphasize the need for standardized national guidelines for antibiotic management in pediatric brain abscess.

Main Methods:

• Multicenter retrospective study involving patients aged 0-18 years diagnosed with brain abscess.
• Data collected included patient demographics, preceding infections, isolated pathogens, surgical interventions, antibiotic therapy, and clinical sequelae.
• Statistical analysis of collected data.

Main Results:

• Seventy-nine children were included, with a median age of 8.75 years.
• Preceding infections were noted in 44 children, and Gram-positive cocci were the most common isolates (27 cases).
• Sixty (76%) children underwent surgery, and all received intravenous followed by oral antibiotic therapy. Epilepsy was the most frequent sequela (9 cases).

Conclusions:

• Clinical sequelae, including epilepsy, were recorded in 39.2% of patients.
• The study underscores the necessity for standardized national guidelines or recommendations regarding the type and duration of antibiotic treatment for pediatric brain abscess.