Common Bacterial Infections in Children

Introduction Bacterial infections are the cause of significant mortality and morbidity in children. Infections of surgical importance may affect virtually any organ or tissue in the body. These may be community or hospital acquired. The major groups of community-acquired infections are skin and soft tissue infections, bone infections, and infections of specific organs. Hospital-acquired infections may further be classified as infections of surgical wounds, infections in wards, and infections in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. Bacterial infections are more common at extreme ages, and thus babies less than 2 months of age are highly susceptible to bacterial infection. Other conditions such as malnutrition, immune-deficiency states, and prolonged illnesses, make children more susceptible to acquire infections.