PEDIATRIC INFECTIONS

Course overview

The pediatric patient often presents a significant diagnostic challenge. The most common reason infants and children present to Emergency Departments, clinics, and private offices is for evaluation of illnesses secondary to an infection. When overlooked in their earliest stages, several types of infections can progress to limb- or life-threatening situations. When evaluating an infant or a child with an infectious process, it is important for practitioners to look for and recognize the subtle warning signs and symptoms of a more serious bacterial infection. In this activity, we review clinical information and discuss common medical errors and allegations related to high-risk pediatric infections. We examine a number of cases to highlight some of the reasons why these diagnoses are often missed, delayed, or inappropriately managed. After completing this activity, practitioners should be able to: determine key information to elicit during history-taking in the evaluation of febrile pediatric patients in order to identify the potential for serious bacterial infections; identify the findings on the physical exam that might indicate the presence or absence of a serious bacterial infection; and assess the potential complications that can arise when invasive bacterial infections are not treated promptly or adequately in order to improve pediatric patient safety and decrease the risk of exposure to medical malpractice.