Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Pediatric Deep Neck Space Infection

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Otolaryngology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Deep neck space infections (DNSIs) in children are common but potentially life-threatening.
• Effective management necessitates understanding polymicrobial etiology and antibiotic susceptibility.
• Current antibiotic practices may not align with local resistance patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the microbiological profile of pediatric DNSIs.
• To determine the antibiotic resistance patterns for common pathogens.
• To evaluate the outcomes of medical and surgical management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 108 pediatric patients with DNSIs from August 2017 to August 2018.
• Data collected included patient demographics, isolated organisms, antibiotic sensitivity testing, and treatment outcomes.
• Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on collected data.

Main Results:

• Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism isolated.
• High resistance rates were observed for amoxicillin/ampicillin (79.42%), while clindamycin (82.35%) and cloxacillin demonstrated significant sensitivity.
• The abscess recurrence rate was 9.28%, with comparable outcomes for medical versus combined medical/surgical treatment.

Conclusions:

• Clindamycin or cloxacillin are recommended as first-line empirical antibiotic choices for pediatric neck infections.
• Amoxicillin/ampicillin monotherapy has limited efficacy due to high resistance rates.
• Tailoring antibiotic therapy based on culture sensitivity is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.