Microbiology and management of intra-abdominal infections in children

The present review describes the microbiology, diagnosis, and management of intra-abdominal infections in children. Infection generally occurs due to the entry of enteric micro-organisms into the peritoneal cavity through a defect in the wall of the intestine or other viscus as a result of obstruction, infarction, or direct trauma. Mixed aerobic and anaerobic flora can be recovered from the peritoneal cavity of these patients. The predominant aerobic isolates are Escherichia coli , and enterococci ; the main anaerobic bacteria are Bacteroides fragilis group, Peptostreptococcus spp. and Clostridium spp. The treatment of abdominal infection includes surgical correction and drainage, and administration of antimicrobials that are effective against both aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms.