[Antibiotherapy of severe ENT infections in children: peripharyngeal abscesses]

Abstract

Neck infections in children are categorized as peritonsillar infections, latero and retroparapharyngeal infections. The clinical features and severity of these infections vary according to different pædiatric age groups, in relation to the location of the infection. In France, the antimicrobial therapy should consider meticillin sensitive S. aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and anerobic bacteria. Empiric initial antimicrobial therapy consists in high doses of parenteral amoxicillin-clavulanate (150 mg/kg d. in 3-4 doses) during a few days then changed to oral amoxicillin-clavulanate (80 mg/kg/d). The total course of therapy should be 10 to 14 days.