BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is associated with high case-fatality rates and serious chronic sequelae. The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude of invasive pneumococcal infections in a pediatric population without universal vaccination during childhood in a single hospital.DESIGN AND SETTING:Retrospective review of all pediatric cases of invasive pneumococcal infection during a 7-year period.PATIENTS AND METHODS:We reviewed the microbiological and clinical records of cases of IPD in children <13 years of age admitted to the Armed Forces Hospital, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia.RESULTS:We identified 41 patients with IPD; 27 (66%) were <2 years of age. Four (50%) of those with pneumoccal meningitis were <2 years of age. The case fatality was 3 of 41 (7.3%) due to meningitis and 2 of 41 (5%) due to sepsis, with a case fatality of 5 (12%) due to meningitis and sepsis. Nine patients developed sequelae; of those with meningitis, 5 (73%) developed sequelae. Only 15 (41%) patients had predisposing medical conditions. The overall intermediate and high levels of pneumococcal resistance to penicillin and ceftriaxone were found to be 48.5%, 2.4% and 2.4%, 0%, respectively. None of the pneumococcal isolates were serotyped, and none of the patients had been vaccinated against pneumococcal infections in our hospital.CONCLUSIONS:Despite the presence of a targeted immunization program, a considerable number of cases of invasive pneumococcal infections were reported among our pediatric population over a period of 7 years. Prospective studies in serotypes and antibiotic resistance from the southern region are needed to provide baseline information for the formulation and evaluation of a national prevention and control program.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.