Association of RNA Biosignatures With Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants Aged 60 Days or Younger

Abstract

Febrile infants aged 60 days or younger are at substantial risk of serious bacterial infections (defined as bacteremia, urinary tract infections [UTIs], and bacterial meningitis), estimated at 7% to 9% in this population.¹ Current guidelines recommend obtaining blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures, with consideration of antibiotic treatment and hospitalization until culture results are negative. Although these strategies aim to identify and treat all young febrile infants with serious bacterial infections, the costs and risks are high.² The lack of an optimal management strategy has led to substantial variation in the care for this vulnerable population, unnecessarily exposing many infants to potential harm.