Abstract
Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged as important pathogens in hospitalized adults in the United States, reports of MRSA in pediatric patients have been infrequent. To determine the prevalence of MRSA in this population, we surveyed all acute-care children's hospitals in the U.S. 57/67 (85%) hospitals with microbiology laboratories responded to a mailed questionnaire. Those not testing S. aureus for methicillin susceptibility were excluded. 30/53 (57%) reported MRSA isolates. Bacteriologic methods were similar at all hospitals. MRSA were reported at 20/53 hospitals in 1982 compared to 1/53 in 1973 (p<0.001). Large hospitals (≥200 beds) were more likely to have MRSA (p=0.02). No association was found between MRSA and the presence of burn or intensive care units, residency training programs, or rotation of residents to other hospitals. The proportion of hospitals with MRSA varied from 5/6 (83%) in the Northeast to 4/11 (36%) in the West. MRSA were reported more frequently from hospitals in large metropolitan areas (8/10 vs 22/43). These data show that MRSA are increasing in their importance as pathogens in the pediatric population.
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Jarvis, W., Thornsberry, C., Hughes, J. et al. METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS IN THE UNITED STATES. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 278 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01110
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01110
