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Diagnostic testing in influenza and pertussis related paediatric intensive care unit admissions,Queensland,
Marlena C Kaczmarek1,2, Sanmarie Schlebusch3,4, Robert S Ware1,2
1The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane Australia.
Insights
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is crucial for identifying severe respiratory infections in Australian paediatric intensive care units (ICUs). This study analyzed PCR use for pertussis and influenza admissions from 1997-2013.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric critical care medicine
- Infectious disease diagnostics
- Respiratory virology and bacteriology
Background:
- Severe respiratory infections are a leading cause of paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in Australia.
- Accurate pathogen identification is vital for effective clinical management and treatment strategies.
- The Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Intensive Care (ANZPIC) Registry collects valuable data on paediatric ICU admissions.
Observation:
- This study examined diagnostic testing patterns, specifically polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in paediatric ICU admissions.
- Data were sourced from five Queensland ICUs between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2013.
- The focus was on admissions related to pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza.
Findings:
- The study describes the utilization of PCR diagnostic testing in the context of severe paediatric respiratory infections.
- Analysis provides insights into testing trends for pertussis and influenza over a 17-year period.
- Understanding diagnostic test use informs resource allocation and clinical practice guidelines.
Implications:
- Enhanced understanding of diagnostic tool application in critical care settings.
- Potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and timeliness for paediatric respiratory infections.
- Informs public health strategies for managing outbreaks of pertussis and influenza in children.
Abstract:
Severe respiratory infections make up a large proportion of Australian paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admissions each year. Identification of the causative pathogen is important and informs clinical management. We investigated the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the ICU-setting using data collated by the Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Intensive Care (ANZPIC) Registry from five ICUs in Queensland, Australia. We describe diagnostic testing use among pertussis and influenza-related paediatric ICU admissions between 01 January 1997 and 31 December 2013.
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