Update in Pediatric Diagnostic Microbiology

Infants and young children are uniquely susceptible to primary viral and bacterial infections, predisposing them to responses of greater frequency and severity than in adults. Etiologies and manifestations of infections in pediatric patients are often different than those in adults. It can be challenging for clinical laboratories to implement appropriate microbiologic methods for rapid and accurate diagnoses in this population. Laboratorians should be cognizant of the distinctive features of children to provide comprehensive pediatric clinical microbiology services. This article discusses laboratory aspects of several clinically significant pediatric pathogens that cause severe harm to patients and impact public health responses.