Duration of therapy for Enterobacterales bloodstream infections in children 3 months or older

Balance Investigators, 2024McMullan, 2016

For children 3 months or older with a bloodstream infection caused by Enterobacterales, refer to the duration recommended for the identified source of infection. If the response to treatment is rapid, 7 days of intravenous therapy (empirical + directed) is usually required. For children who are not immunocompromised and do not have a deep-seated or uncontrolled source of infection, a switch from intravenous to oral therapy may be appropriate if adequate antibiotic exposure at the site of infection is likely (eg bacteraemia with a urinary tract source). If antibiotic therapy is required beyond 7 days, a switch from intravenous to oral therapy may be considered after 7 days in children who are not immunocompromised and do not have a deep-seated or uncontrolled source of infection.