title: Soft tissue infections in children: a retrospective analysis of 242 hospitalized patients.
abstract: Pediatric soft tissue infections (STIs) are frequently seen disorders that represent one of the most common indications for antimicrobial therapy. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 242 patients who were hospitalized with STIs during the period from January 2000 to January 2004. The ages of the patients ranged from 1 month to 180 months (mean 44.33 +/- 36.92 months). The STIs were distributed as cellulitis in 96 (39.7%) patients, cervical lymphadenitis in 62 (25.6%), cervical abscess in 49 (20.2%), subcutaneous abscess in 25 (10.3%), pyomyositis in 6 (2.5%) and necrotizing fasciitis in 4 (1.6%). In 103 (42.2%) patients, a predisposing factor was found. Blood cultures yielded positive results in 18 (7.4%) cases. The responsible microorganisms were identified in 74 (30.6%) patients. The initial therapy consisted of ampicillin/sulbactam in 166 (68.6%) patients, ceftriaxone or cefotaxime in 58 (24.0%), and ceftriaxone plus clindamycin in 18 (7.4%). Surgical drainage was performed in 65 (86.7%) patients with abscesses. White blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate returned to normal in mean periods of 3, 7 and 10 days, respectively. The mean duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy was 10 days, and the duration of treatment was found to increase with increasing C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate on admission (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). Complications developed in 12 (4.8%) patients; there was no mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Sami Ulus Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Center, Ankara, Turkey. gonultanir58@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gonul
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanir
authors.forename: Alparslan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tonbul
authors.forename: Nilden
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tuygun
authors.forename: Cumhur
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aydemir
authors.forename: Ulker
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ertan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents