Clinical Microbiology in Pediatrics.
Abstract ABSTRACTThe clinical microbiology laboratory plays a critical role in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in the pediatric population. Children are uniquely susceptible to infectious agents because of immature immunologic and physiologic systems. The etiologies and manifestations of infections in pediatric patients are often distinctly different and more severe than those seen in adults. This requires laboratories to implement unique microbiologic methods for rapid and accurate diagnoses in this population. The broad spectrum of diseases diagnosed in the pediatric period and the growing complexity of pediatric laboratory testing can be challenging. This review discusses key aspects of pediatric clinical microbiology including preanalytic and analytic variables, test selection, performance, and data interpretation. In order to provide comprehensive pediatric clinical microbiology services, laboratories need to be aware of the specific needs of this patient population.
1 Cook Children's Medical Center.
James J
JJ
Dunn
Musa Y
MY
Hindiyeh