Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in children and neonates:: A 10 year retrospective review

Rates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) are published performance indicators for hospital-acquired infection. In adults SAB is often associated with central venous catheters (CVC), mortality is high and up to 40% are MRSA. However, there is little data on SAB in neonates and children in the UK. Aim: To describe the presentation, management and outcome of SAB on a neonatal and paediatric unit in a District General Hospital (DGH) over a 10 year period. Method: Case notes of children < 16 years with SAB between May 1993 and April 2003 were studied. SAB which developed >48 h after admission was defined as hospital-acquired. Contamination was probable if the clinical picture was unsupportive of infection, or if repeat culture was negative and no treatment was given. Results: Neonatal unit: Thirty-three of 40 episodes were reviewed (median gestation 32 weeks, median age 21 days). Three of 33 (9%) were contaminants. Ail SAB were hospital acquired. Twenty-six of 30 (87%) had non-specific presentation, but 15 developed a focus of infection (skin 12, chest 3). Seventeen (57%) infants had CVCs. Eight (27%) infants had MRSA bacteraemia, seven with CVCs. Three (10%) infants died. Paediatric unit: Sixty-four of 70 episodes were reviewed (median age 2 years). Thirteen of 64 (20%) were contaminants. Ten of 51 (20%) were hospital acquired. Presentations were with skin infection 18, bone/joint infection 13, non-specific 13, respiratory 8. Only two had MRSA, one with CVC. One (2%) child died, from an unrelated cause. Conclusion: SAB on a paediatric unit shows a very different pattern compared to SAB in adults. The pattern on a neonatal unit is more similar to that in adults. Both children and neonates have a lower mortality and a lower incidence of MRSA, whilst paediatric SAB has a weaker association with CVC. The proportion of SAB which is hospital acquired is tow on a paediatric unit, making SAB an unreliable performance indicator. Most SA in blood cultures are not due to contamination. Prospective studies are needed to determine appropriate investigation and treatment. (C) 2005 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.