Streptococcal pharyngitis in a paediatric emergency department

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical features of β-haemolytic streptococcal infection in children with acute pharyngitis and thereby to define those requiring antibiotic therapy. Design: Prospective 2:1 case-control study. Setting: Emergency Medicine Department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, between May 1994 and May 1995. Participants: Cases (n = 271) were the first 10 self-referred children in each week with pharyngitis and no antibiotic use in the previous week. Controls (n = 135) were age-matched children without infection. Main outcome measures: Presence of groups A, C or G β-haemolytic streptococci in oropharyngeal cultures; demographic and clinical characte..