Pediatric Orbital Cellulitis/Abscess: Microbiology and Pattern of Antibiotic Prescribing

The treatment for pediatric orbital cellulitis/abscess is trending towards intravenous antibiotic management alone in appropriate cases. Without cultures to guide therapy, knowing the local microbiology is of utmost importance in managing these patients.

We conducted a retrospective case series for patients age 2 months to 17 years, who were hospitalized between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, to evaluate the local microbiology and pattern of antibiotic prescribing in pediatric orbital cellulitis.

Of 95 total patients, 69 (73%) received intravenous antibiotics only and 26 (27%) received intravenous antibiotics plus surgery. The most common organism cultured was Streptococcus anginosus, followed by Staphylococcus aureus, and group A streptococcus. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence was 9%. MRSA-active antibiotics remain the most frequently used antibiotics.