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Serious bacterial illnesses in recently hospitalized young infants
A J Pomeranz1, S G Zahn, S L Werlin
1Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Pediatrics, Milwaukee 53233.
Insights
Young infants readmitted for suspected serious bacterial illness (SBI) may still have infections. Reevaluation is crucial for these infants, as serious conditions like bacteremia and meningitis can still occur.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatology
Background:
- Young infants hospitalized for suspected serious bacterial illness (SBI) can be challenging to diagnose.
- Culture-negative results do not always rule out significant infections in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the risk of serious infections in infants under 60 days old who were hospitalized for possible SBI but had negative cultures, and were subsequently readmitted within seven days for similar symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 27 infants less than 60 days of age.
- Analysis of readmission data for infants initially presenting with possible SBI and negative cultures.
Main Results:
- Five of the 27 infants (18.5%) experienced significant illnesses upon readmission.
- Two infants (7.4%) had confirmed serious bacterial infections (pneumococcal bacteremia, urinary tract infection).
- Three infants (11.1%) were diagnosed with aseptic meningitis.
Conclusions:
- Young infants, even after a prior hospitalization for possible SBI, remain at risk for serious infectious processes.
- Recurrent symptoms in these infants warrant thorough reevaluation for potentially severe infections.
Abstract:
We undertook a retrospective chart review of 27 patients less than 60 days of age, hospitalized for possible serious bacterial illness (SBI), but who were culture negative, and then readmitted within seven days for the same reason. Upon repeat evaluation for sepsis, five of these infants had significant illnesses; two (7.4%) had SBIs (one had pneumococcal bacteremia and the other a urinary tract infection), and three (11.1%) had aseptic meningitis. Our results suggest that young infants, despite recent hospitalization for possible SBI, may be at risk for a serious infectious process and need reevaluation if symptoms recur.