What are the recommendations for the treatment of infective endocarditis in children?
In pediatrics, there are not likely to be any randomized controlled trials for treatment of IE, which posed a challenge for the writing group in compiling recommendations. Therefore, many of the indications are based on consensus. This document updates issues regarding IE, with specific attention to the disease as it affects infants and children. In particular, newer tools useful for diagnosis and treatment in the pediatric population are reviewed. This review emphasizes changing management perspectives and discussion of new agents that have utility for treatment of resistant organisms. Proper use of the diagnostic microbiology laboratory remains critical to the diagnosis and management of children with IE, and newer diagnostic guidelines that have improved sensitivity and specificity for confirming the diagnosis of IE will be reviewed.