Diagnosis and therapy of anaerobic infections in childhood.

There are two main periods of manifestation of anaerobic infections in childhood. In the neonatal period anaerobic septicaemia is usually mild with a lower mortality rate, but has essentially the same causes as aerobic septicaemia (premature rupture of the membranes, amniotic infection syndrome after ascending infection). The latter cases comprise about 10% of aerobic septicaemias. Later in childhood, the pathogenesis of anaerobic infections is similar to that in adulthood. Anaerobic infections occur after surgery, particularly of the abdominal region, in malignancies, immunodeficiency and aspiration. With the exception of Bacteroides fragilis, most anaerobes are sensitive to penicillin. A high percentage of clinically important anaerobes are sensitive to clindamycin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole.