Well-appearing Infants Research Articles

Performance of AAP Clinical Practice Guideline for Febrile Infants at One Pediatric Hospital.

In the absence of procalcitonin, the American Academy of Pediatrics' clinical practice guideline (CPG) for evaluating and managing febrile infants recommends using previously untested combinations of inflammatory marker thresholds. Thus, CPG performance in detecting invasive bacterial infections (IBIs; bacteremia, bacterial meningitis) is poorly understood. To evaluate CPG performance without procalcitonin in detecting IBIs in well-appearing febrile infants 8 to 60 days old. For this cross-sectional, single-site study, we manually abstracted data for febrile infants using electronic health records from 2011 to 2018. We used CPG inclusion/exclusion criteria to identify eligible infants and stratified IBI risk with CPG inflammatory marker thresholds for temperature, absolute neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein. Because the CPG permits a wide array of interpretations, we performed 3 sensitivity analyses, modifying age and inflammatory marker thresholds. For each approach, we calculated area-under-the-receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity in detecting IBIs. For this study, 507 infants met the inclusion criteria. For the main analysis, we observed an area-under-the-receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.673 (95% confidence interval 0.652-0.694), sensitivity of 100% (66.4%-100%), and specificity of 34.5% (30.4%-38.9%). For the sensitivity analyses, sensitivities were all 100% and specificities ranged from 9% to 38%. Findings suggest that the CPG is highly sensitive, minimizing missed IBIs, but specificity may be lower than previously reported. Future studies should prospectively investigate CPG performance in larger, multisite samples.

Assessment of intracellular zinc levels in infants with food protein–induced allergic proctocolitis

Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is characterized by bloody stools in well-appearing infants. Zinc is a micronutrient that plays a crucial role in immune modulation and is essential for cellular function during immune response. Although there are studies on the assessment of intracellular zinc levels in allergic diseases, no data is available on erythrocyte zinc levels of patients with FPIAP. This study aimed to assess the erythrocyte zinc levels of children with allergic proctocolitis and compare zinc levels with clinical and demographic characteristics. This was a case-control study that prospectively compared 50 patients with FPIAP and 50 healthy children without malnutrition. The erythrocyte zinc levels of children were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Fifty patients with FPIAP, including 28 (51%) girls, with median age of 7.1 ± 2.9 (3-14) months and 50 healthy children, including 26 (53.1%) girls, with median age of 7.7 ± 2.8 (3-13) months were included in the study. Seventy percent (n = 35) of the patients with FPIAP started to have symptoms while they were exclusively breastfeeding. Offending allergen foods were cow's milk (78%), egg (40%), sesame (10%), hazelnut (8%), almond (6%), beef (6%), and peanuts (6%, n = 3). Intracellular (erythrocyte) zinc levels in patients with FPIAP were lower than in the healthy control group (495.5 ± 134 µg/dL, 567.3 ± 154.4 µg/dL, respectively, P = 0.01). Patients with FPIAP aged younger than 6 months had lower intracellular zinc levels compared with those aged above 6 months (457 ± 137 µg/dL; 548 ± 112 µg/dL, respectively, P = 0.01). There was no relationship between zinc levels and time of symptom onset, presence of concomitant disease, being allergic to multiple foods, and family history of atopy (P > 0.05). FPIAP is a food allergy with limited information on its pathogenesis. Considering the beneficial effects on gastrointestinal system epithelia, zinc may be involved in the pathogenesis of FPIAP. Future comprehensive prospective research on this subject is of importance.

Cost modelling incorporating procalcitonin for the risk stratification of febrile infants ≤60 days old.

Procalcitonin testing is recommended to discriminate febrile young infants at risk of serious bacterial infections (SBI). However, this test is not available in many clinical settings, limited largely by cost. This study sought to evaluate contemporary real-world costs associated with the usual care of febrile young infants, and estimate impact on clinical trajectory and costs when incorporating procalcitonin testing. We assessed hospital-level door-to-discharge costs of all well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤60 days, evaluated at a tertiary paediatric hospital between April/2016 and March/2019. Emergency Department and inpatient expense data for usual care were obtained from the institutional general ledger, validated by the provincial Ministry of Health. These costs were then incorporated into a probabilistic model of risk stratification for an equivalent simulated cohort, with the addition of procalcitonin. During the 3-year study period, 1168 index visits were included for analysis. Real-world median costs-per-infant were the following: $3266 (IQR $2468 to $4317, n=93) for hospitalized infants with SBIs; $2476 (IQR $1974 to $3236, n=530) for hospitalized infants without SBIs; $323 (IQR $286 to $393, n=538) for discharged infants without SBIs; and, $3879 (IQR $3263 to $5297, n=7) for discharged infants subsequently hospitalized for missed SBIs. Overall median cost-per-infant of usual care was $1555 (IQR $1244 to $2025), compared to a modelled cost of $1389 (IQR $1118 to $1797) with the addition of procalcitonin (10.7% overall cost savings; $1,816,733 versus $1,622,483). Under pessimistic and optimistic model assumptions, savings were 5.9% and 14.9%, respectively. Usual care of febrile young infants is variable and resource intensive. Increased access to procalcitonin testing could improve risk stratification at lower overall costs.

Is eating slow or fast better for children?

Eating behaviors are an important component of risk for childhood obesity. These behaviors, which include the frequency of eating, the time of day that food is ingested, whether or not breakfast is a regular meal, and whether or not children are watching television while eating. One aspect of eating behavior that has not been well studied is eating speed. In some studies, it has been suggested that eating quickly may be associated with higher energy intake and increased BMI. In this volume of The Journal, Garcidueñas-Fimbres et al assessed the relationships among eating speed, adiposity, diet quality, and cardiometabolic risk factors in preschool children. They found that faster eating is associated with greater adiposity, lower adherence to a high-quality diet, as well as higher systolic blood pressure and higher fasting plasma glucose. These results suggest the potential for a behavioral intervention focused on slower eating and increased chewing as a possible approach to prevention of obesity or as a component of treatment of obesity. Article page 31 Following Birth Hospitalization: Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants Aged 7-90 DaysThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 252PreviewTo assess the incidence rate of invasive bacterial infections in preterm infants and compare invasive bacterial infection rates and pathogens between preterm and full-term infants at age 7-90 days. Full-Text PDF Clostridioides difficile Infection in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: Comparisons of Epidemiology, Testing, and Treatment from 2013 to 2019The Journal of PediatricsVol. 252PreviewTo compare the incidence, epidemiology, testing patterns, treatment, and outcomes of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among hospitalized pediatric patients from 2013 to 2019. Full-Text PDF Extended Risk of Mortality in Children with Inborn Errors of Metabolism: A Longitudinal Cohort StudyThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 252PreviewTo determine the long-term risk of mortality among children with inborn errors of metabolism. Full-Text PDF Associations Between Eating Speed, Diet Quality, Adiposity, and Cardiometabolic Risk FactorsThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 252PreviewTo assess the associations between eating speed, adiposity, cardiometabolic risk factors, and diet quality in a cohort of Spanish preschool-children. Full-Text PDF Open AccessFebrile Preterm Infants: They are Not Just Small Febrile, Term InfantsThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 252PreviewAnnually, more than 200 000 febrile infants younger than 90 days are evaluated in US emergency departments and other outpatient settings.1 Although urinary tract infections are common in these infants, the main concerns involve invasive bacterial infections, defined by bacteremia or bacterial meningitis. The reported invasive bacterial infection rates range from approximately 1% to 5% in prospective studies, with higher rates in the youngest infants.2-4 To address the persistent variability in care of these febrile infants despite substantial research performed over several decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics published guidelines for the management of well-appearing febrile infants 8-60 days old. Full-Text PDF

Boston Febrile Infant Algorithm 2.0: Improving Care of the Febrile Infant 1-2 Months of Age.

The algorithm's risk stratification was revised based on the expert review of evidence regarding test performance of PCT for IBI in febrile infants. With the revision, routine LP and empiric antibiotics were not recommended for low-risk infants. We used quality improvement strategies to disseminate the revised algorithm and reinforce uptake. The primary outcomes were the proportion of infants undergoing lumbar punctures or receiving antibiotics. Admission rates, 72-hour revisits requiring admission, and missed IBI were monitored as balancing measures. We studied 616 infants including 326 (52.9%), after the implementation of the revised algorithm. LP was performed in 66.2% prerevision and 31.9% postrevision (34.3% absolute reduction, P < 0.001). Antibiotic administration decreased by 26.2% (pre 62.4% to post 36.2%, P < 0.001) and hospitalization rates decreased by 8.1% (P = 0.03). There have been no missed IBIs. Adherence to the pathway led to a sustained reduction in LPs and antibiotic administration for 24 months. A revised pathway with the addition of PCT resulted in a safe, sustained reduction in LPs and reduced antibiotic administration in febrile infants 1-2 months of age.

The risk of serious bacterial infections among young ex-premature infants with fever.

Background and ObjectivesTo determine the rate of serious-bacterial-infections (SBI) in young ex-premature infants with fever, and to develop a risk-stratification algorithm for these patients.MethodsA retrospective cohort study including all infants who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) of a tertiary-care university-hospital between 2010 and 2020 with fever (≥38°C), were born prematurely (<37-weeks), had post-conception age of <52-weeks, and had available blood, urine, or CSF cultures. The rates of SBI by age-of-birth and age-at-visit were calculated and compared to a cohort of matched full-term controls.ResultsThe study included a total of 290 ex-premature cases and 290 full-term controls. There were 11 cases (3.8%) with an invasive bacterial infection (IBI) of either bacteremia, meningitis or both and only six controls (2.1%) with IBI (p = 0.32). Over 28-days chronologic-age, there were 10 (3.6%) IBIs among cases and no IBIs among the controls (p = 0.02). There were eight (3%) cases and three (1%) controls with IBI who were well-appearing on physical examination (p = 0.19). All eight well-appearing ex-premature infants were under 60-days adjusted-age, seven of whom (88%) were also under 28-days adjusted-age. There were 28 (10.6%) cases and 34 (12%) controls with urinary tract infection (UTI) (p = 0.5). Among cases under 60-days adjusted-age, urinalysis was not reliable to exclude UTI (50% negative).ConclusionsWell-appearing ex-preterm infants have a significant risk for IBI until the adjusted age of 28-days and for UTI until the adjusted age of 60-days. Further studies are needed to evaluate the approach to fever in this unique population.

Impact of CSF Meningitis and Encephalitis Panel on Resource Use for Febrile Well-Appearing Infants.

To determine whether the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel is associated with decreased resource use for febrile infants. The ME panel has a rapid turnaround time (1-2 hours) and may shorten length of stay (LOS) and antimicrobial use for febrile well-appearing infants. Retrospective cohort study of febrile well-appearing infants ≤60 days with cerebrospinal fluid culture sent in the emergency department from July 2017 to April 2019. We examined the frequency of ME panel use and its relationship with hospital LOS and initiation and duration of antibiotics and acyclovir. We used nonparametric tests to compare median durations. The ME panel was performed for 85 (36%) of 237 infants. There was no difference in median hospital LOS for infants with versus without ME panel testing (42 hours, interquartile range [IQR] 36-52 vs 40 hours, IQR: 35-47, P = .09). More than 97% of infants with and without ME panel testing were initiated on antibiotics. Patients with ME panel were more likely to receive acyclovir (33% vs 18%; odds ratio: 2.2, 95%: confidence interval 1.2-4.0). There was no difference in median acyclovir duration with or without ME panel testing (1 hour, IQR: 1-7 vs 4.2 hours, IQR: 1-21, P = .10). When adjusting for potential covariates, these findings persisted. ME panel use was not associated with differences in hospital LOS, antibiotic initiation, or acyclovir duration in febrile well-appearing infants. ME panel testing was associated with acyclovir initiation.

A Comparison of Temperature Thresholds to Begin Laboratory Evaluation of Well-Appearing Febrile Infants.

Young infants who develop fever are at an increased risk for serious infection. It is unclear, however, what temperature cutoff would be optimal to begin evaluating these infants because some criteria use different thresholds. We sought to determine the percentage of infants presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with a temperature less than 38.2°C who develop serious infection compared with those with higher temperatures. We used a publicly available dataset from the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. Patients were included if they were aged 60 days or younger, had a documented rectal temperature of 38.0°C or higher in the ED or a history of fever within 24 hours before presentation to the ED, and were being evaluated for serious infection. We used the same exclusion criteria as the original Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network study but further excluded those who were ill-appearing (Yale Observation Score > 10). Serious infections included any of the following: urinary tract infection, bacteremia, bacterial or herpes meningitis, bacterial pneumonia, or bacterial enteritis. Data were described using frequencies (percentages) and compared between groups using χ 2 test. Of the 4619 eligible infants, 1311 (28.4%) had a temperature lower than 38.2°C. Infants with temperatures lower than 38.2°C were significantly less likely to have a serious infection compared with those with higher temperatures (97 [7.5%] vs 365 [11.2%], P < 0.001). Of the infants with temperatures lower than 38.2°C who were tested, 67 (5.8%) had a urinary tract infection, 10 (0.8%) had bacteremia, 3 (0.4%) had bacterial meningitis, 3 (2.9%) had herpes meningitis, 17 (4.5%) had bacterial pneumonia, and 2 (4.8%) had bacterial enteritis. In this study, we found that infants with temperatures lower than 38.2°C were significantly less likely to have a serious infection than those with higher temperatures. Using an evaluation cutoff of 38.2°C, however, would likely miss a clinically important number of well-appearing infants with serious infections.

Prevalence and Management of Invasive Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants Ages 2 to 6 Months

Validated prediction rules identify febrile neonates at low risk for invasive bacterial infection. The optimal approach for older febrile infants, however, remains uncertain. We performed a retrospective cohort and nested case-control study of infants 2 to 6 months of age presenting with fever (≥38.0 °C) to 1 of 5 emergency departments. The study period was from 2011 to 2019. The primary outcome was invasive bacterial infection, defined by the growth of pathogenic bacteria from either blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture. Secondary outcomes included obtaining bacterial cultures (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or urine), administering antibiotics, and hospitalization. For the nested case-control study, we age-matched infants with invasive bacterial infection to 3 infants without invasive bacterial infection, sampled from the overall cohort. There were 21,150 eligible patient encounters over 9-years, and 101 infants had a documented invasive bacterial infection (0.48%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39% to 0.58%). Invasive bacterial infection prevalence ranged from 0.2% to 0.6% among the 5 sites. The frequency of bacterial cultures ranged from 14.5% to 53.5% for blood, 1.6% to 12.9% for cerebrospinal fluid, and 31.8% to 63.2% for urine. Antibiotic administration varied from 19.2% to 46.7% and hospitalization from 16.6% to 28.3%. From the case-control study, the estimated invasive bacterial infection prevalence for previously healthy, not pretreated, and well-appearing febrile infants was 0.32% (95% CI, 0.24% to 0.41%). Although invasive bacterial infections were uncommon among febrile infants 2 to 6 months in the emergency department, the approach to diagnosis and management varied widely between sites. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines are needed to reduce low-value testing and treatment while avoiding missing infants with invasive bacterial infections.

Rate of invasive bacterial infection in recently vaccinated young infants with fever without source

ObjectiveTo compare the rates of invasive bacterial infection (IBI) (bacterial pathogen in blood or cerebrospinal fluid) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in febrile infants between 42 and 90 days of...

COVID-19 Infection in Well-Appearing 30- to 90-Day-Old Infants with Fever without a Source.

ABSTRACT Fever without a source (FWS) is common clinical status in the young infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection in well-appearing infants with FWS. Well-appearing febrile infants between 30 and 90 days who were evaluated as FWS in the pediatric emergency department and tested for COVID-19 were divided into two groups: COVID-19 (+) and (−). The clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were compared. The study included 95 febrile infants with FWS, and the mean age was 59.62 ± 16.82 days. The nasopharyngeal COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test results of 29/95 (30.5%) patients were positive, while 66/95 (69.5%) were negative. The complaints of irritability and nasal congestion were found to be significantly more common in COVID-19-positive patients (p = 0.04 and p = 0.041, respectively). The hospitalization rate (p = 0.009), length of hospital stay (p = 0.026), initiation of antibiotic treatment (p < 0.001) and duration of antibiotic treatment (p = 0.036) were significantly lower in the COVID-19 (+) patients. The C-reactive protein (CRP, p < 0.001), absolute neutrophil count (ANC, p < 0.001), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC, p = 0.015), white blood cell (WBC, p < 0.001) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, p < 0.001) were found to be significantly lower in the COVID-19 (+) patient group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of neutropenia, lymphopenia or leukopenia. COVID-19 infection may present as an FWS. During the pandemic period, testing for COVID-19 among infants who were evaluated as FWS may reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and antibiotic treatments, and shorten hospital stays and duration of antibiotics.

A Culture of Too Many Blood Cultures.

A Culture of Too Many Blood Cultures.

Guideline-Based Risk Stratification for Febrile Young Infants Without Procalcitonin Measurement.

Guideline-Based Risk Stratification for Febrile Young Infants Without Procalcitonin Measurement.

Omphalitis and Concurrent Serious Bacterial Infection.

Describe the clinical presentation, prevalence of concurrent serious bacterial infection (SBI), and outcomes among infants with omphalitis. Within the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee, 28 sites reviewed records of infants ≤90 days of age with omphalitis seen in the emergency department from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2017. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcome data were summarized. Among 566 infants (median age 16 days), 537 (95%) were well-appearing, 64 (11%) had fever at home or in the emergency department, and 143 (25%) had reported fussiness or poor feeding. Blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid cultures were collected in 472 (83%), 326 (58%), and 222 (39%) infants, respectively. Pathogens grew in 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3%-2.5%) of blood, 0.9% (95% CI, 0.2%-2.7%) of urine, and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.1%-3.2%) of cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Cultures from the site of infection were obtained in 320 (57%) infants, with 85% (95% CI, 80%-88%) growing a pathogen, most commonly methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (62%), followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (11%) and Escherichia coli (10%). Four hundred ninety-eight (88%) were hospitalized, 81 (16%) to an ICU. Twelve (2.1% [95% CI, 1.1%-3.7%]) had sepsis or shock, and 2 (0.4% [95% CI, 0.0%-1.3%]) had severe cellulitis or necrotizing soft tissue infection. There was 1 death. Serious complications occurred only in infants aged <28 days. In this multicenter cohort, mild, localized disease was typical of omphalitis. SBI and adverse outcomes were uncommon. Depending on age, routine testing for SBI is likely unnecessary in most afebrile, well-appearing infants with omphalitis.

Outcomes of children presenting to the emergency department with fever and bulging fontanelle

BackgroundIn infants aged 3-18 months presenting with a bulging fontanelle and fever it is often necessary to exclude central nervous system infection by performing a lumbar puncture. Several studies have shown that well-appearing infants with normal clinical, laboratory and imaging studies have a benign (non-bacterial) disease. At our institution, we often observe such infants and withhold lumbar puncture. ObjectiveTo determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of well-appearing, febrile infants with a bulging fontanelle, whether they did or did not undergo lumbar puncture. DesignA retrospective chart review of the medical records of all febrile infants with a bulging fontanelle seen between March 2018 and March 2020 at Dana Children's Hospital. The following data were extracted: age of the patient, gender, previous medical history, general appearance, vomiting, appetite, fever, blood test results and CSF results (when taken), final diagnosis, disposition status, and whether or not the patient returned to our ER. Stats: Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population. ResultsThe study group included 40 children, 22 males, and 18 females. Their age ranged from 3 to 13 months. Only 8 of the patients in the study group were admitted and 32 were discharged. Only 13 (32.5%) had an LP performed, three of which had elevated levels of WBC in the CSF, two of them had a positive culture. None of the patients who were discharged returned to the ED. ConclusionsOur study, combined with previous works, supports the assumption that management of well-appearing infants with normal medical history who present with fever and bulging fontanelle could be done without a lumbar puncture. Larger and prospective studies are needed to support this observation.

286 Disparities in the Management of Low-Risk Febrile Infants: An Interim Feasibility Report

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Well-appearing febrile infants are a model for exploring communication, bias, and health disparities in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Using mixed methods, we will perform an in-depth analysis of disparities and shared decision making, a potentially modifiable driver of inequities. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We will conduct a multicenter cross-sectional chart review study of well-appearing febrile infants 29-60 days old treated in the ED and apply multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between 1) race/ethnicity and 2) limited English proficiency with the primary outcome, discharge to home without lumbar puncture and without antibiotics (standard of care). We will concurrently perform an interpretive study using purposive sampling to conduct interviews with: 1) minority parents of febrile infants and 2) ED physicians. By capturing dyadic data, we will triangulate perspectives to elucidate disparities and bias that can emerge in the shared decision making process. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Forty member institutions of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Collaborative Research Committee are participating, providing a projected cohort of 3000 infants. In the 6 months since site recruitment, 235 eligible infants have been entered into the dataset (43% minority race/ethnicity, 6% language other than English), 61% of whom received the primary outcome. Chart review has the benefits of 1) ensuring exclusion of ill infants, 2) providing data on interpreter use that is unavailable in administrative datasets, and 3) allowing an analysis of shared decision making. These findings will inform an interpretive study of parent and provider experiences of bias in shared decision making. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We demonstrate the feasibility of a large-scale manual chart review to analyze disparities within a shared decision making context. Partnered with qualitative scholarship, this research will support the development of communication interventions to mitigate implicit bias in the clinical encounter.

Clinical Features and Clinical Course of Food Protein—Induced Allergic Proctocolitis: 10-Year Experience of a Tertiary Medical Center

Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) is a food allergy characterized by bloody stools in well-appearing breast-fed infants. To determine the clinical course of FPIAP and the factors affecting the development of tolerance. Over a 10-year period, patients with a diagnosis of FPIAP who were followed at the outpatient Allergy-Immunology clinic in a tertiary care children's hospital in Turkey were retrospectively analyzed. The frequency of FPIAP was 0.18% among 64,549 patients. The median age of symptom onset was 2 months (interquartile range, 1.0-3.5 months), and the median age of tolerance development was 12 months (interquartile range, 8.0-17.21 months). The occurrence of symptoms in the neonatal period was associated with a history of premature birth (odds ratio, 3.75; 95% CI, 1.33-10.59; P= .031) and neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization (odds ratio, 4.72; 95% CI, 1.78-12.53; P= .002). Use of a cow's milk-based formula was associated with a higher risk of the onset of symptoms after 1 month (odds ratio, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.19-6.07; P= .016). The use of an amino acid-based formula and the presence of diarrhea at admission were associated with later development of tolerance (P= .023 and P < .001, respectively). An IgE-mediated reaction was observed during oral food challenge testing in 6% of the patients. The manifestations of FPIAP appeared earlier in premature infants and later in infants using formula. The use of amino acid-based formula and having had diarrhea were associated with delayed tolerance.

Sufficient Blood Culture Volume

In reading the guideline “Evaluation and Management of Well-Appearing Febrile Infants 8 to 60 Days Old,”1 I hoped the authors would have commented on the importance of technical aspects of blood cultures: both sample volume and ideal minimum sample to broth ratios.The consideration of the technical aspects of blood cultures is within the scope of the guideline because of the emphasis placed on IMs. The volume of blood required for IMs can exceed that required for more typical laboratory studies (complete blood cell count, etc). In cases in which limited volumes of blood are collected, a common challenge in young infants, any blood sent for IMs might decrease the blood volume included in the blood culture. Data suggest that the concentration of bacteremia is low in infants,2 current practice results in small volumes of blood obtained for culture,3 and rates of pathogen identification are improved with larger amounts of sample obtained.4The role of IMs in decision-making should be viewed in a historical context. In the article recommending the “step-by-step” approach to management of young infants, 7 of the 61 children (11%) aged 21 to 90 days old with “invasive bacterial infection” were not identified by the step-by-step approach.5 This compares with the 1 of 9 children (11%) aged 0 to 8 weeks old not identified by clinical examination alone in the seminal work by Roberts in 1977.6 I wonder if the subcommittee missed an opportunity to weigh the clinical benefits of decision-making pathways relying on IMs versus the importance of sufficient blood culture volumes. Although portions of a milliliter of blood diverted for IMs or other “routine” laboratory studies may seem trivial, it might be significant when data suggest that <1 mL of blood is frequently submitted for culture.3

A Failed CCHD Screen.

A Failed CCHD Screen.

105 Cost Analysis for the Risk-Stratification of Febrile Infants ≤ 60 Days Old

Abstract Primary Subject area Emergency Medicine - Paediatric Background Fever in the first months of life is among the most common clinical problems in pediatric healthcare. Nearly 2% of all infants will be evaluated for fever in an Emergency Department (ED) and approximately 10% harbor life-threatening serious bacterial infections (SBIs). The Rochester criteria are most widely used criteria for risk-stratification and predate modern biomarkers including procalcitonin (PCT). Recently, a high-performing prediction rule incorporating PCT was derived by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). At present, PCT is not available in all clinical settings, limited largely by test cost. Objectives Compare the medical costs associated with PECARN and Rochester risk-stratification strategies using contemporary price, epidemiologic and test characteristic data. Design/Methods We assessed hospital-level costs associated with the door-to-discharge care of all well-appearing febrile infants aged ≤ 60 days evaluated at an urban tertiary pediatric hospital between April 2016 and March 2019. Direct and indirect ED and inpatient costs were obtained from provincial Ministry of Health data. Real-world costs were then incorporated into a probabilistic model for a cohort of equal size using either Rochester or PECARN risk-stratification, accounting for the added incremental cost of PCT ($24.86CAD). Models used an 8.4% pooled SBI risk, and Sn/Sp for Rochester and PECARN of 94%/49% and 98%/63%, respectively. Modeling was calculated under 4 scenarios; true positive with hospitalization, false negative with return visit and hospitalization, false positive with hospitalization, true negative with ED discharge. All costs were calculated in Canadian dollars. Results During the 3-year study period, 1168 index infant encounters met inclusion and were analyzed for hospital trajectory costs. Median costs per infant were $323 (IQR $286-$393) for infants discharged from the ED with no SBI, $2356 (IQR $1858-$3120) for infants hospitalized with no SBI, $3150 (IQR $2352-$4201) for hospitalized infants treated for a SBI, and $3763 (IQR $2146-$5180) for infants discharged from the ED ultimately requiring hospitalization with a missed SBI. For a cohort of 1168 infants, cost-per-infant using PECARN risk-stratification was $1332 (IQR $1062-$1739), compared to $1515 (IQR $1198-$1992) using Rochester. PECARN criteria would be expected to produce an overall savings of 12.1% for the modeled cohort ($1,556,432 vs $1,769,339). Under pessimistic and optimistic model assumptions, total savings were 4.9% and 18.3%, respectively. Costs borne by families were not considered, nor were the indirect benefits of reduced unnecessary invasive testing, hospitalizations and broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Conclusion Risk-stratification of febrile infants using PECARN prediction rules would produce important cost-savings due to superior test characteristics offsetting upfront PCT-associated costs. Such a strategy would also likely result in unmodeled non-monetary family-centered and healthcare system benefits. Real-world cost-effectiveness studies are needed.