Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pediatric head and neck infections: results of a national survey of otolaryngologists in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
Little information is available concerning the treatment of pediatric head and neck infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is resistant to antimicrobial agents such as cephalosporins. The objective of this investigation is to describe clinical characteristics of pediatric MRSA head and neck infections in the United States and how they are treated.


METHODS
National survey.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
Practicing members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery were surveyed regarding patients aged < 18 years with MRSA head and neck infections during 2006.


METHODS
Clinical characteristics and treatment of pediatric MRSA infections.


RESULTS
Of 701 surveys sent, 201 were completed (adjusted response rate 30%). Otolaryngologists responding to the survey reported treating a total of 1123 pediatric MRSA head and neck infections in 2006. Forty-seven percent reported treating pediatric patients with MRSA infections in the otologic region, 39% in the oropharyngeal/neck region, and 17% in the sinonasal region. The antimicrobials most frequently used to treat these infections were clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. Cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were also commonly prescribed.


CONCLUSIONS
Otolaryngologists in the United States reported treating a broad range of MRSA head and neck infections in pediatric patients. Although most were treated with appropriate antimicrobials, some were treated with agents not active against MRSA.
Cohen
Adam L
AL
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. ALCohen1@cdc.gov
Naseri
Iman
I
Pinell
Ximena
X
Sobol
Steven E
SE
Gorwitz
Rachel
R
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009333:Neck; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents