Assignment task: An 8-month-old girl is brought to the emergency department with a 2-day history of fever and increased fussiness. She is irritable but consolable by her parents. Her parents believe that her immunizations are current, but they do not have an immunization record with them. On examination, she has a rectal temperature of 39.5°C (103.1°F). The rest of the physical examination is within normal limits, and no source for the fever is apparent.
Q1. What are the serious bacterial infections in febrile newborns and infants?
Q2. What has been the effect of conjugated vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae on the incidence of bacteremia and meningitis in febrile newborns and infants?
Q3. What are the challenges in differentiating between serious and benign febrile illnesses in young children?
Q4. What diagnostic studies are recommended in the evaluation of febrile newborns, infants, and children?