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[Long term observation on beta-hemolytic streptococci in institutions for handicapped preschool children.
Y Takizawa1, Y Sakamoto, I Tomizawa
1Minamigaoka Branch, Sapporo City General Hospital.
Insights
Beta-hemolytic streptococci infections were studied in two institutions for handicapped children over nine years. Children with Down's syndrome showed the highest isolation rates, particularly in winter, indicating seasonal patterns in infection.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Investigated beta-hemolytic streptococci prevalence in preschool children with disabilities.
- Conducted over a nine-year period (1985-1993) across two distinct institutions.
- Included children with Down's syndrome, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.
Purpose:
- To determine the isolation rates of beta-hemolytic streptococci in handicapped preschool children.
- To identify potential differences in isolation rates based on disability type and institution.
- To explore seasonal variations and specific streptococcal type outbreaks.
Summary:
- Significant differences in beta-hemolytic streptococci isolation rates were observed between institutions (K: 11.1% vs. H: 6.4%).
- Higher isolation rates occurred in winter (16.5%) compared to summer (6.6%) in institution K, with notable type outbreaks (T12, T28, T1).
- Down's syndrome children (12.6%) exhibited the highest isolation rates, followed by mentally retarded (10.0%) and cerebral palsy (6.4%) groups.
Impact:
- Highlights the increased susceptibility of children with Down's syndrome to beta-hemolytic streptococci.
- Provides epidemiological data on streptococcal infections in institutionalized children with disabilities.
- Informs targeted prevention and intervention strategies for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Studies on beta-hemolytic streptococci have been carried out in 2 institutions for handicapped preschool children during the last nine-year period from 1985 to 1993. These studies were based on continuous throat cultures, 4 to 12 times a year, from 244 children including Down's syndrome and mentally retarded children in K-institution (K), and from 134 including cerebral palsy and other cerebrospinal disorders in H-institution (H). A significant difference (p < 0.05) was demonstrated in the isolation rates between K (11.1%) and H (6.4%). In K, isolation rates of beta-hemolytic streptococci ranged from 0 to 43.5%, showing a higher rate in winter (16.5%) than in summer (6.6%), and elevated-isolation rates of homologous types were demonstrate four times during the study period; i.e., type T12 in '87, type T28 in '88, type T1 in '90 and '92. In H, on the other hand, no higher rates (as to group A) were observed in winter or summer. In relation to disorders of children, the rates were 12.6% in Down's syndrome (mean age 2.7y), 10.0% in mentally retarded children (3.9y) and 6.4% in cerebral palsy or others with cerebrospinal disorders (3.3y). Down's syndrome, the youngest group, revealed the highest isolation rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci. In only two cases isolated hemologous types detected were over two times continuously.