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Predicting serious bacterial infection in febrile young infants utilizing body temperature

Osamu Nomura1, Takateru Ihara1, Hiroshi Sakakibara2

  • 1Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatric Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|March 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

High-grade fever in infants can indicate serious bacterial infection (SBI). A temperature of 38.5°C or higher significantly predicts SBI in young children, aiding early diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Febrile infants under 90 days are at high risk for serious infections.
  • Vital signs are crucial for rapid assessment, but their predictive value for serious bacterial infection (SBI) in this group requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the predictive value of vital signs, particularly body temperature, for identifying serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study of febrile infants (<90 days) presenting to the emergency room.
  • Data collected included patient demographics, vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, oxygen saturation), diagnosis, and disposition.
  • Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of SBI.

Main Results:

  • The study included 269 infants (58.7% male, mean age 55 days).
  • 43 patients (15.9%) were diagnosed with SBI.
  • A body temperature ≥38.5°C was a significant predictor of SBI (OR, 2.80; 95% CI: 1.37-5.74).

Conclusions:

  • High-grade fever (≥38.5°C) is a significant predictor of serious bacterial infection in febrile young infants.
  • This finding supports the use of temperature as a key indicator in the initial assessment of febrile infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
febrile young infantserious bacterial infectionvital sign

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