Performance of risk stratification criteria in the management of febrile young infants younger than three months of age

Aim: We evaluated the diagnosis, risk stratification and management of febrile infants under three months of age who presented to an Israeli paediatric emergency room (ER). Methods: This retrospective study enrolled all febrile infants examined in the paediatric ER of Soroka Medical Center during 2010–2013. The patients were classified into low-risk and high-risk subgroups and compared by age and ethnicity. Results: Overall, 2251 febrile infants (60.5% of Bedouin and 34.4% of Jewish ethnicity) were enrolled. Hospitalisation rates were higher among Bedouin vs. Jewish infants (55 vs. 39.8%, p < 0.001). Fever without localising signs was diagnosed in 1028 (45.6%) infants and 499 (48.5%) were hospitalised; 26% were stratified as high-risk and 74% as low-risk. Bedouin infants rates were more likely to be at high-risk (p = 0.001) and hospitalised (p < 0.001) than Jewish infants. With regard to low-risk infants, the incidence rates were higher before two months than two to three months of age (73.3 vs. 59%, p < 0.001), as were the hospitalisation rates (46.3 vs. 20.1%, p < 0.001). No differences were recorded for the hospitalisation rates of Bedouin and Jewish infants between the three daily shifts. Conclusion: Major differences were recorded in hospitalisation rates, risk stratification and management of Bedouin and Jewish infants with fever without localising signs.