Yield of Blood Cultures in Children Presenting Febrile Illness in a Tertiary Care Hospital. | [Pakistan Journal of Physiology • 2019]

Author(s):

1. Bibi Aalia: Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

2. Saima Gillani: Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

3. Syed Sajid Hussain Shah: Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

4. Nuzhat Raza: Department of Physiology, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

5. Attia Iqbal: Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

6. Sayeda Urooj Yadain: Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

Background: Blood stream infections (BSIs) leading to septicaemias and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) are important causes of paediatric referrals, admissions and deaths. These have worse outcome in newborns, and infants especially if undernourished. In most of our hospitals blood cultures are carried out for selective number of patients. Low yields of blood cultures and sample contaminations are problems of concern. The objective of this study was to find out the yield of blood cultures in patients admitted with sepsis and fever without clear localizing signs. Methods: This one year cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at POF Hospital Wah Cantt. A total of 85 patients admitted in paediatric ward with complaints of febrile illness and diagnosis of sepsis or fever without localizing signs (FWLS), who had their blood sent for cultures and sensitivity at POF Hospital Wah Cantt, were included in the study. Results: Yield of blood cultures in our study was low as blood cultures yielded growth in only 8 out of 85 patients (95% confidence interval: 4.716.3%) .One sample was contaminated. The minimum age of patient was 1 month (0.08 years) and maximum age was 12 years (median 3.5 years). Majority of the patients, i.e., 62 (72.9%) were under age of 6 years as compared to the age group between 10 to 12 years that comprised 23 patients (27%) only. There was a male preponderance as from the total 85 patients 58 (68.24%) were males and 27 patients (31.76%) were females. Cross tabulation between gender and yield of blood culture showed a significant correlation (p<0.05). The correlation between total white cell counts and yield of blood cultures was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Male children are more likely to be affected by sepsis. A positive blood cultures yield is low in our setups. Total white cell counts are not a significant marker for sepsis in children.

Page(s): 16-20

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Physiology, Volume: 15, Issue: 1, Year: 2019

Keywords:

Neonatal and childhood sepsis , FWLS , blood culture and sensitivity , blood stream infections , SIRS

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