Pediatrics

Author(s):
Sarah J. Janelle, MPH, CIC Infection Preventionist

Department of Epidemiology
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO

Shannon Rowe, MPH, CIC Infection Preventionist

Quality and Patient Safety
Children's Hospital Colorado – Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

Ann-Christine Nyquist, MD, MSPH Chief Epidemiology Officer

Children's Hospital Colorado
Professor of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Aurora, CO

Kelly L. West, MS, RN, CIC Infection Preventionist

Epidemiology
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO

Tina Bair, BSN, RN, CIC Manager, Infection Prevention and Control

Akron Children's Hospital
Akron, OH

Wendy Berg, BSN, RN, CIC Infection Preventionist

Infection Prevention and Control
Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN

Steven Spencer, MD FAAP COL, MC, USA

Chief, Pediatric Ward 3W
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Bethesda, MD

Revised Publication:
April 3, 2025
Original Publication:
October 2, 2014
Declarations of Conflicts of Interest:
  • Sarah J. Janelle, MPH, CIC declares no conflicts of interest,
  • Ann-Christine Nyquist, MD, MSPH declares no conflicts of interest
  • Shannon Rowe, MPH, CIC declares no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments:

Special thanks to Maggie Bay of the Department of Epidemiology - Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO. 

Abstract

This chapter helps readers understand why children are more susceptible than adults to infections, and identifies certain intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with infectious risks in pediatric patients. Infectious disease surveillance of pediatric populations is discussed. Selected pediatric healthcare-associated infections (HAI), vaccine-preventable diseases, viral respiratory infections, and tuberculosis are reviewed. The impact of broad-spectrum antibiotic use, the increasing problem of antimicrobial resistance in the pediatric population, and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship are also reviewed. Throughout the chapter, strategies for the prevention and control of infectious disease transmission in pediatric populations are emphasized.