Number and timing of blood samples for children and adolescents younger than 16 years

In children younger than 12 years, blood samples for culture are generally collected in paediatric bottles, which are optimised for small volumes. Additional anaerobic (adult) blood culture bottles are reserved for children younger than 12 years at greater risk of anaerobic infection, for example:

• patients with signs or symptoms of intraabdominal infection
• debilitated patients with pressure ulcers
• patients with suspected bacteraemia after human or animal bite wounds or crushing trauma
• oncology patients
• patients with necrosis, myositis or deep tissue abscesses.

In children 12 years or older, blood samples for culture are collected in a set, with each set consisting of one aerobic (adult) and one anaerobic (adult) bottle. If adult aerobic bottles are not available, use paediatric aerobic bottles (with multiple bottles if needed) to achieve the total recommended volume. Children 12 years or older generally should have only a single set collected.

Blood cultures are generally performed once only in adolescents younger than 16 years and children, unless there are clinical indications for repeat blood cultures (eg positive blood culture results with pathogen identified, change in clinical condition or, uncommonly, suspected endocarditis).