bacteremia
Pronunciation: bak-tuh-REE-mee-uh
Presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, distinguished from sepsis by absence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome in pediatric patients.
Full Definition
The presence of viable bacteria in the bloodstream as confirmed by positive blood culture. In pediatric infectious disease, bacteremia is distinguished from sepsis, which requires evidence of systemic inflammatory response in addition to infection. Occult bacteremia refers to bacteremia in well-appearing febrile children without obvious source of infection. Common causative organisms in children include Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus in neonates, and Staphylococcus aureus. Management depends on patient age, clinical appearance, and organism identified. Editorial review should verify proper distinction from sepsis terminology and accurate organism nomenclature.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from sepsis, which implies systemic inflammatory response.
In Context
- "Blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae, confirming pneumococcal bacteremia." — Microbiology report
- "The well-appearing toddler had occult bacteremia detected on routine blood culture." — Pediatric emergency department follow-up