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Acute cervical lymphadenitis in children.
1Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Newscastle, New South Wales, Australia.
Australian Paediatric Journal
|June 1, 1987
Summary
Antibiotic treatment failed in most children with acute cervical lymphadenitis, leading to abscesses, especially in those under two. Penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus was the most common cause, indicating a need for alternative first-line antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Acute cervical lymphadenitis is a common pediatric infection.
- Abscess formation complicates treatment outcomes.
- Emergence of antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate treatment outcomes for acute cervical lymphadenitis in children.
- To identify risk factors for abscess formation.
- To determine the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 78 children treated over 9 years.
- Analysis of treatment success, abscess formation, and patient demographics.
- Microbiological investigation of isolated organisms and antibiotic resistance patterns.
Main Results:
- Abscesses formed in 50 children despite antibiotic therapy.
- Children under 2 years were more prone to abscess development.
- Penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus was the predominant pathogen, followed by Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus.
Conclusions:
- Current first-line antibiotics (penicillin, amoxicillin) are often inadequate.
- Early admission for intravenous beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics is recommended for severe or unresponsive cases.
- Age under 2 is a significant risk factor for abscess formation in pediatric cervical lymphadenitis.