Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Young Infants. WMJ 2023 May;122(2):105-109
Date
05/04/2023Pubmed ID
37141473Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85159549839 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The management of young infants with skin and soft tissue infection is not well-defined.
METHODS: We performed a survey study of pediatric hospital medicine, emergency medicine, urgent care, and primary care physicians to assess the management of young infants with skin and soft tissue infection. The survey included 4 unique scenarios of a well-appearing infant with uncomplicated cellulitis of the calf with the combination of age ≤ 28 days vs 29-60 days and the presence vs absence of fever.
RESULTS: Of 229 surveys distributed, 91 were completed (40%). Hospital admission was chosen more often for younger infants (≤ 28 days) versus older infants regardless of fever status (45% vs 10% afebrile, 97% vs 38% febrile, both P < 0.001). Younger infants were more likely to get blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid studies (P < 0.01). Clindamycin was chosen in 23% of admitted younger infants compared to 41% of older infants (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Frontline pediatricians appear relatively comfortable with outpatient management of cellulitis in young infants and rarely pursued meningitis evaluation in any afebrile infants or older febrile infants.
Author List
Swartz S, Cotter L, Nelson A, Zhang J, Yan K, Pickett MLAuthors
Leah Cotter DO Assistant Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinAnika M. Nelson MD Assistant Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michelle L. Pickett MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Ke Yan PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
CellulitisChild
Fever
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Retrospective Studies
Soft Tissue Infections
