Historically, children aged 3 months to 3 years with rectal temperatures of 38.5o C (101.3 F) or higher had a risk of 2-4% for occult bacteremia.[1, 2] The leading cause of bloodstream infection was S pneumoniae, followed by H influenzae type b. With the introduction of effective vaccines for these pathogens, the incidence and epidemiology of childhood bacteremia in the immunologically normal host has changed.
The incidence of occult bacteremia in this population now ranges from 0.5-1%; moreover, 2 out of every 3 blood isolates from these children represent an artifact (contamination) and not a true pathogen.[3]S pneumoniae and E coli are the most common pathogens, accounting for two thirds of cases. In infants with S pneumoniae, many isolates are strains not covered by the currently available heptavalent conjugate vaccine.
Who do we need to get cath urine on???
Urine Cath Specimen: (from Boston Criteria for fever without focus)
< 6 month old males circumcised
<12 month old males uncircumcised
<24 month old females
