The Utilization Of Echocardiography In Children With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

The need for echocardiography in pediatric Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) remains uncertain. We reviewed 331 pediatric SAB cases. Nine subjects, all with comorbidities, met echocardiogram criteria for infective endocarditis (IE). IE was associated with congenital heart disease and prolonged bacteremia, suggesting that echocardiography is unnecessary in most children with SAB.