Intraabdominal infections in infants and children: descriptions and definitions.
OBJECTIVE
To define intraabdominal infections in infants and children.


METHODS
Summary of the literature with review and consensus by experts in the field.


RESULTS
Intraabdominal infections are common in infants and children and comprise a broad range of disorders of greatly variable severity. In addition to microbiologically mediated processes, other inflammatory disorders frequently present similar clinical syndromes. More aggressive and effective therapy for prematurity, chronic diseases of childhood, malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and organ failure, including transplantation, is likely to increase the frequency with which some of these infections are encountered. Only a limited number of processes have been clearly defined in the pediatric literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Criteria defining intraabdominal infection are proposed based on reports in the pediatric literature and expert opinion. Additional study of individual disorders, diagnostic criteria, and approach to management is warranted.
Thompson
Ann E
AE
Critical Care Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
Marshall
John C
JC
Opal
Steven M
SM
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D015415:Biomarkers