摘要
Background:The Finnish Current Care Guidelines on diagnostics and treatment of sore throat recommend the treatment of only group A streptococcus(GAS)positive cases with penicillin.The aim of the study was to evaluate how these guidelines are followed in the pediatric emergency unit.Methods:We analyzed retrospectively the data on microbiological studies and blood tests done,and data on prescribing of antibiotics,of 200 children admitted for febrile exudative tonsillitis.Results:After the clinical diagnosis of exudative tonsillitis,antigen test and/or culture for GAS identifi cation was done in>95%of cases.All the 32(16%)children with GAS infection,but also 52(38%)of the 137 children without any evidence of bacterial infection received antibiotics.Additional laboratory studies were done in 96%of children.Serum C-reactive concentrations or white blood cell counts were not able to separate streptococcal from non-streptococcal tonsillitis.No serious bacterial infection was diagnosed.Conclusions:The Finnish Current Care Guidelines lead to over-treatment with antibiotics.None of the 200 children returned after discharge,suggesting that undertreatment did not happen.
