Changing Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease at Two Australian Tertiary Hospitals

Abstract

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in children. Universal pneumococcal conjugate vaccination has changed the epidemiology of IPD. In vaccinated children, IPD can be a marker of an underlying immunodeficiency. Methods: This is a retrospective audit of children younger than 18 years with IPD admitted to 2 tertiary pediatric hospitals in Australia between 2011 and 2017. Data on predisposing conditions, immunologic evaluation, pneumococcal serotype, antibiotic susceptibility and treatment were collected. Results: During the 7-year period, there were 131 presentations with IPD in 127 children; 3 children had recurrent IPD. Patien..