Abstract
Background: Since 1980 there has been a resurgence of severe infections by Group A Streptococcus (GAS).
Objective: To evaluate in our hospital the clinical behaviour and predisposing factors for GAS infections.
Methods: Clinical information from 37 charts of children with GAS positive cultures hospitalized in Félix Bulnes Cerda Hospital were analyzed between March 1995 and January 2005.
Results: 81% healthy children with predisposing factors: burns (30%), varicella (19%) and trauma (16%). The main symptoms were fever (84%) and local inflammatory signs (40%). The clinical manifestations include soft tissue infections (32%), bacteremia (30%), osteoarthritis (10,8%), empyema (10,8%), toxic shock (8,1%) and necrotizing fasciitis (5,4%). Three patients died.
Conclusion: Invasive GAS mainly affects healthy children with skin port of entry and may cause death.
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Copyright (c) 2006 Revista Chilena de Pediatría