Signs and symptoms for diagnosis of serious infections in children: a prospective study in primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Serious infections in children (sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis, and cellulitis) are associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. In children with an acute illness, the primary care physician uses signs and symptoms to assess the probability of a serious infection and decide on further management.

Aim

To analyse the diagnostic accuracy of signs and symptoms, and to create a multivariable triage instrument.

Design of study

A prospective diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting

Primary care in Belgium.

Method

Children aged 0-16 years with an acute illness for a maximum of 5 days were included consecutively. Signs and symptoms were recorded and compared to the final outcome of these children (a serious infection fo

SUBMITTER: Van den Bruel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2099636 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature