Bacteraemia in hospitalized children.

The results of 3,037 blood cultures taken from hospitalized children during 1977 are reviewed, and 171 patients were considered to have bacteraemia whilst 67 were considered to have contaminants. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp were found to be the most common organisms associated with 80% of the observed bacteraemias. H. influenzae and groups B and D streptococci were more often isolated in young children (less than 3 years). Group D streptococcal bacteria occurred more in newborns and patients with congenital anomalies. H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae bacteraemias were frequently associated with the presence of a foci of infection. Elevated temperature and an absolute differential cell count, were present in 75% of the patients with bacteraemia.