Diagnosis and management of acute mastoiditis in a cohort of Italian children. Issue 12 (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Marchisio, Paola; Bianchini, Sonia; Villani, Alberto; Verri, Giulia; Bernardi, Filippo; Porta, Alessandro; Biban, Paolo; Caimmi, Silvia; Iughetti, Lorenzo; Krzysztofiak, Andrzej; Garazzino, Silvia; Romanin, Benedetta; Salvini, Filippo; Lancella, Laura; Landini, Susanna; Galeone, Carlotta; Esposito, Susanna; Principi, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anti-infective therapy. Volume 12:Issue 12(2014)
• Page Start: 1541
• Page End: 1548
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: Anti-infective agents -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.90461
• DOI: 10.1586/14787210.2014.982093
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-7210

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Objective: The Italian Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases created a registry to determine the management of pediatric acute mastoiditis (AM) in Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of paediatricians was conducted to evaluate hospitalization due to AM in Italian pediatric wards between 1 January 2002, and 31 December 2013. Results: A total of 913 children (561 males, 61.4%) were included in this study. The annual number of AM cases significantly increased during the study period (30 in 2002 and 98 in 2013) but only among older children (≥4 years old; p = 0.02). AM complications occurred in 69 (7.6%) of the children and sequelae were observed in 13 (1.4%) patients. Conclusion: The annual number of pediatric AM cases admitted to Italian pediatric wards increased in the past few years; this increase was strictly age-related. The risk of severe AM complications appeared relatively low, and most AM cases could be treated conservatively.</p> </abstract>