Analysis of Staphylococcus aureus infections among pediatric Indian patients

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a leading cause of infections in paediatric populations, ranging from mild skin infections to life-threatening systemic infections. Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> [MRSA] has become increasingly prevalent, raising concerns regarding treatment and control measures. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> infections in hospitalized children and determine the colonization patterns and antibiotic sensitivity profiles at a tertiary care centre. A prospective observational study was conducted on 103 paediatric patients, categorized into <i>S. aureus</i>-infected and healthy controls. <i>S. aureus</i> isolates were obtained from clinical specimens and colonization was assessed using nasal, axillary, throat and inguinal swabs. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the MIC method. <i>S. aureus</i> infection was confirmed in 32 [31.06%] of the patients, with colonization observed in 71.87% of infected cases. Among the colonized sites, nasal and axillary regions were the most frequent. MRSA accounted for 46.8% of the infections, while MSSA made up 53.2%. MRSA isolates were more resistant to antibiotics compared to MSSA. Vancomycin, daptomycin and teicoplanin showed 100% efficacy against both MRSA and MSSA. Colonization was significantly higher in infected patients compared to controls, indicating colonization as a risk factor for <i>S. aureus</i> infection. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns suggest that vancomycin and teicoplanin remain effective against MRSA, but increasing resistance underscores the need for careful antibiotic selection and preventive measures in paediatric care.