Fifty infants and children were treated for staphylococcal infections complicated by bacteremia. Of these, 28 had serious underlying diseases, principally leukemia (15 cases). All were treated with intravenous anti biotics for a median duration of 12.7 days. Although 13 patients died (26%), the staphylococcal infection had apparently been eradicated in all but three (6%), one of whom died before treatment could be started. The relatively brief treatment periods required in even severely compromised leukemic patients and the survival of all but one of 22 previously healthy patients with staphylococcal bacteremia suggest that the prognosis is better than previously reported.
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