PEDIATRICS aaah Lema nse es hee ay Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children Aged 1 to 18 Years Ellen R, Wald, Kimberly E. Applegate, Clay Bordley, David H, Darrow, Mary P. Glode, S. Michael Marcy, Carrie E, Neison, Richard M. Rosenfeld, Nader Shaikh, Michael J. Smith, Paul V. Williams and Stuart T. Weinberg Pediatrics 2013;132;e262; originally published online June 24, 2013; DOL: 10.1542/peds.2013-1071 ‘The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is located on the World Wide Web at: http://pediatries.aappublications.org/content/132/1/e262.full.html PEDIATRICS is the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A monthly publication, it has been published continuously since 1948, PEDIATRICS is owned, published, and trademarked by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, Illinois, 60007. Copyright © 2013 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0031-4005. Online ISSN: 1098-4275. DEDICATED TO THE HEALTH OF ALL CHILDREN American Academy of Pediatrics & Downloaded from pediatrics. aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE Es ‘Organizational Panciples to Guide and Define the Child Health Care System andor Improve the Health of ll Chien Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children Aged 1 to 18 Years abstract © OBJECTIVE: To update the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline regarding the diagnosis and management of acute bacterial sinusitis in children and adolescents. METHODS: Analysis of the medical literature published since the last version of the guideline (2001) RESULTS: The diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is made when a child with an acute upper respiratory tract infection (URI) presents with (1) persistent illness (nasal discharge [of any quality] or daytime cough or both lasting more than 10 days without improvement), (2) a worsening course (worsening or new onset of nasal discharge, daytime cough, or ‘ever after initial improvemert), or (3) severe onset (concurrent fever [temperature >39°¢/102.2°F] and purulent nasal discharge for at least 3 consecutive days), Clinicians should not abtain imaging studies of any kind to distinguish acute bacterial sinusitis from viral URI, because they do not contribute to the diagnosis; however, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the paranasal sinuses should be obtained whenever a child is suspected of having orbital or central nervous system complications. The clinician should prescribe antibiotic therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis in children with severe onset or worsening course. The clinician should either prescribe antibiotic ‘therapy or offer additional observation for 3 days to children with persistent illness. Amoxicillin with or without clavulanate is the first: line treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis Clinicians should reassess initial management if there is either a caregiver report of worsening (progression of initial signs/symptoms or appearance of new signs/ symptoms) or failure to improve within 72 hours of intial management If the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is confirmed in a child with worsening symptoms or failure to improve, then clinicians may change the antibiotic therapy for the child intially managed with antibiotic or initiate antibiotic treatment of the child initially managed with observation. ONCLUSIONS: Changes in this revision include the addition of a clin: {cal presentation designated as “worsening course,” an option to treat immediately or observe children with persistent symptoms for 3 days before treating, and a review of evidence indicating that imaging is not necessary in children with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinus- itis, Pediatrics 2013;132:e262-2280 262 FROM THE AMERICh ACADEMY OF PEDITRIGS Ellen 8, Wald, MD, FAAP, Kimberly E Applegate, MD, MS, FAAP, Clay Bordley, MD, FAAP. David H. Darrow, MD, ODS, FAAP, Mary P. lode, MD, FAAP. S. Michael Marcy, MD, FAAD, Carrie E Nelson, MO, MS, Richard M, Rosenfeld, MD, FAAP, NatierShalk, MD, MPH, FAAP, Michael . Smit, MD, MSCE. FAAP, Paul V. Wiliams, MD, FAAP ang Stuart T. Weinberg, Mo, FAAP ey WORDS. seat Bacterial sinus, smu antics, imaging. snus Aprewarions -MP—AmricanAeasemy of Psatrics, noM—scute otis mesa (t—eomputed tomography POVIS18 valent pneumacaccalconugat vacine 4as—recurent acute baceril sinusitis o—randomigd corrals tial [URL apperrespicaory tract infection Ths document iscoprightes and s roperty ofthe American oademy of Peciatris and ts Board af Directors Al authors have fle cortt of interest statements win the American oademy of Pcias. ny cofs have been reslved through | process approved ay the Board of Directors. The Ameriean eademy of Pedtris nas reer sles nor ecepted any commercial noivement in te development ofthe cortent ot ‘his puieation ‘The recommendation inthis report do nt ist an excise course of westment on serve at standard of mesial care ‘aration, taking into secauntindvdul ercumstances, may 36 appropriate wn peditris ore /60/1015¢2peds 20181071 oi 10 15¢2ipeds 20181071 PEDUTRIS (SSN Numbers: Prin, 014008, Gling, 10884275) Copyright © 2018 by the American Aeademy of Pediatrics ‘Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013INTRODUCTION Acute bacterial sinusitis is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infection (UR) or allergic inflammation. Using stringent criteria to define acute sinusitis, it has been observed that be- ‘tween 6% and 7% of children seeking care for respiratory symptoms has an illness consistent with this definition + his clinical practice guideline is a re vision of the clinical practice guideline published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 20018 It has been developed by a subcommittee of the Steering Committee on Quality Imorave- ment and Management that included physicians with expertise in the felds of primary care pediatrios, academic gen eral pediatrics, family practice, allergy epidemiology and informatics, pediatric infectious diseases, pediatric otolaryn gology, radiology. and pediatric: emer- gency medicine. None of the participants had financial conficts of interest, and conly money from the AAP was used to fund the development of the guideline The guideline willbe reviewed in 5 years Unless new evidence emerges that warrants revision sooner. he guideline is intended for use in a variety of clinical settings (eg, office, emergency department, hospital) by eR an Soe saa clinicians who treat pediatric patients. The data on which the recom mendations are based are included in ‘a companion technical report, pub: lished in the electronic pages® The Partnership for Policy Implementation has developed a series of definitions using accepted health information technology standards to assist in the implementation of this guideline in computer systems and quality mea surement efforts. This document is available at: nttp//www2.aap.org/in formatics/PPLhten| This revision focuses on the diagnosis and management of acute sinusitis in children between 1 and 18 years of age. tt does not apply to children with subs acute or chronic sinusitis, Similar ta the previous guideline, this document does not consider neonates and children younger than 1 year or children with ‘anatomic abnormalities of the sinuses, immunodeficiencies, cystic fibrosis, or primary ciliary dyskinesia. The most significant areas of change from the 2001 guideline are in the addition of 2 clinical presentation designated as ‘worsening course,” inclusion of new dala on the effectiveness of antibiotics in children with acute sinusitis and a review of evidence indicating that Evidence Quality ‘A. Well-designed RCTs or diagnostic studies oon relevant population imaging is not necessary to identify those children who will benefit from antimicrobial therapy. METHODS: The Subcommittee on Management of Sinusitis met in June 2008 to identity research questions relevant to guide- line revision, The primary goal was to update the 2001 report by identifying and reviewing additional studies of Pediatric acute sinusitis that have been performed over the past decade. Searches of PubMed were performed by using the same search term as in the 2001 report. All searches were limited to English-language and human studies. Three separate searches were performed to maximize retrieval of the most recent and highest quality evi dence for pediatric sinusitis. The first limited results to all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 1988 to 2003, the second to all meta-analyses from 1988 to 2009, and the third to all pediatric studies (limited to ages <18 years) published since the last technical report (1999-2008). Addi- tionally, the Web of Science was que- ried to identify studies that cited the original AAP guidelines. This literature search was replicated in July 2010 B. RCTs or diagnostic studies with minor limitations;overwhelmingly consistent evidence from observational studies C. Observational studies (case-control and cohort design) D. Expert opinion, case reports, reasoning from first principles X. Exceptional situations where validating studies cannot be performed and there is a Clear preponderance of benefit or harm FIGURE 1 Levels of ecommendstions. Re, recommend on, PEDITRICS Volume 152, umber, July 2018 Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013and November 2012 to capture re cently published studies, The com- plete results of the literature review are published separately in the tech- nical report In summary, 17 ran- domized studies of sinusitis in children were identified and reviewed Only 3 trials met inclusion criteria Because of significant heterogeneity among these studies, formal meta- analyses were not pursued. The results from the literature review were used to guide development of the key action statements included in this document. These action statements were generated by using BRIDGEWiz (uilding Recommendations in a Devel: ‘pers Guideline Editor, Yale Schoo! of levels of recommendations (Fig 1) Definitions of evidence-based state- ments are provided in Table 1. This guideline was reviewed by multiple ‘groups in the AAP and 2 external organizations. Comments were com piled and reviewed by the subcom mittee, and relevant changes were incorporated into the guideline KEY ACTION STATEMENTS Key Action Statement 1 Clinicians should make @ pre- ‘sumptive diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis when a child with an acute URI presents with the following: KAS Profile 1 © Persistent illness, ie, nasal dis- ‘charge (of any quality) or daytime ‘cough or both lasting more than 10 days without improvement; oR © Worsening course, ie, worse ing or new onset of nasal dis- charge, daytime cough, or fever after initial improvement; oR © Severe onset, ie, concurrent fe- ver (temperature >39°C/102.2°F) and purulent nasal discharge for at least 5 consecutive days (Ev- dence Quality: B; Recommenda- tion). Medicine, New Haven, CT), an interactive software tool that leads guideline de- velopment through @ series of ques: ‘tions that are intended to create a more actionable set of key action statements.” BRIDGEWiz alsa incorporates the quality of available evidence into the final de- termination of the strength of each recommendation agregate ence quay 8 Hem cont enetteharm assessment ae judgments The AMP policy statement "Clssiving 4 2 sree Recommendations for Cinical Practee ‘ten! vatees Guidelines” was folowed in designating semen TABLE 1 Guideline Defitions for Evidence Base Statements Diagnosis allows deisions regarding manager te made. Chilaen Tikes to benett from antimiroial therapy wil be eties Inapprosriate diagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment. A mised gnosis may lad to persist: infection or camplctions Irapproprste diagnsis may lead to unrecssar cst of atitcs.A rissedaiagnasis leads to cast of sersset ess oss of Se tom schael and work) or cst af caring fr eamiations Preporderance of beret None Limi None Charen ages <} year ar alder than 18 yeare and with underyng candtions, Reeommendation Sateen Deftion Tpleston ‘Srong reconmendition ‘when te aticpated benef of he recommended intervention cleanly excees the harms (a # rong recommendation against an action is made when the ‘hstrong recommendation nfevorafa partion aenon e mage Revommendstion Option No recommendation sntiipated harms clear exceeatne enetts)anatne quality of he supporting evince is excelent In some eesty idertines ercumstances strong recommendations may Be rade when hishquaty evidences impossible to obtain and the anticipates nests strong outweigh the harms -Aracommendston in fear af particle actions made when ‘the anticipated benetts exces te harms bu the qual of idence i nt 8 strong, Again, in some clearly idertiies fireumstance, recommendations may be made when high ‘ual evcence is impssiie to obtain hut the atcpated ener outweigh the harms Options dete courses thst maybe taken when echer the gual ‘of evidence i suspect or cartuly performed sutles have shown itl clear average to one approach oer anater No recommendation inacates tht there Is 3 lek of pertinent publishes evidence and tat the enipates balance of ners and harms i presenti unclear Civils should follow a srong recommendation unless 1 clear and comping rationcle or an alternative approach le present Cinician would be prudent to follow a recommendation but should erain alert 0 new information and sesive to patent preferences Ciinicians should consider the option in ther ceison making tnd patent preference may have a substartil role Cinicians shoud be alert 0 new aublined evidence thet ‘lates the Balance of Benet versus harm, ease RON THE AMERICAN RCRDEMY OF PEDIATRICS ‘Downloaded from pediatrics. aappublications.o ong by guest on July 29, 2013The purpose of this action statement is to guide the practitioner in making a diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis on the basis of stringent clinical cri- teria. To develop criteria to be used in distinguishing episodes of acute bac- terial sinusitis from other common respiratory infections, itis helpful to describe the features of an un complicated viral URI. Viral URIs are usually characterized by nasal symp- toms (discharge and _congestion/ obstruction) or cough or both. Most often, the nasal discharge begins as clear and watery, Often, however, the quality of nasal discharge changes during the course of the illness. Typi- cally, the nasal discharge becomes thicker and more mucoid and may become purulent (thick, colored, and opaque) for several days, Then the situation reverses, with the purulent discharge becoming mucoid and then clear again or simply resolving, The transition from clear to purulent to clear again occurs in uncomplicated Viral URIs without the use of antimi crobial therapy. Fever, when present in uncomplicated viral URI, tends to occur early in the illness, often in concert with other constitutional symptoms such as headache and myalgias. Typically, the fever and constitutional symptoms disappear in the first 24 to 48 hours, and the respiratory symptoms become more prominent (Fig 2) The course of most uncomplicated viral URis is § to 7 days“ As shown in Fig 2, respiratory symptoms usually peak in severity by days 3 to 6 and then begin to improve; however, resolving symp- toms and signs may persist in some patients after day 1051 Symptoms of acute bacterial sinusitis and uncomplicated viral URI overlap considerably, and therefore it is their persistence without improvement that suggests a diagnosis of acute sinusitis 100° Such symptoms include PEDITRICS Volume 182, Number 1, July 2013 eR an Soe saa nasal discharge (of any quality: thick or thin, serous, mucoid, or purulent) ‘or daytime cough (which may be worse at night) or both. Bad breath, fatigue, headache, and decreased ap- petite, although common, are not specific indicators of acute sinusitis."* Physical examination findings are also ‘not particularly helpful in distinguish. ing sinusitis from uncomplicated URIs. Erythoma and swelling of the nasal turbinates are nonspecific findings."* Percussion of the sinuses is not useful Transillumination of the sinuses is dif cult to perform correctly in children anc hhas been shown to be unreliable's16 Nasopharyngeal cultures do not reliably predict the etiology of acute bacterial sinusitis "0% Only a minority (~6%-7%) of children presenting with symptoms of URI will ‘meet criteria for persistence s*" As a result, before diagnosing acute bacterial sinusitis, it is important for the practitioner to attempt to (1) dit ferentiate between sequential epi- sodes of uncomplicated viral URI (which may seem to coalesce in the mind of the patient or parent) from the onset of acute bacterial sinusitis with persistent symptoms and (2) establish whether the symptoms are clearly not improving. A worsening course of signs and symptoms, termed “double sickening,” in the context af a viral URI is anather presentation of acute bacterial sinus- itis 157 Affected children experience substantial and acute worsening of ——Respiatry symptoms FIGURE 2 Uncomplicated w respiratory symptoms (nasal dis charge or nasal congestion or day- time cough) or a new fever, often on the sixth or soventh day of illness, after initial signs of recovery from an uncomplicated viral URI. Support for this definition comes from studies in children and adults, for whom antibi- otic treatment of worsening symp- toms after a period of apparent improvement was associated with better outcomes.+ Finally, some children with acute bacterial sinusitis may present with severe onset, ie, concurrent high fever (temperature >38°C) and purulent nasal discharge. These children usu- ally are ill appearing and need to be distinguished from children with un- complicated viral infections that are Unusually severe. If fever is present in uncomplicated viral URIs, it tends to be present early in the illness, usually accompanied by other constitutional symptoms, such as headache and myalgia®™"* Generally, the constitu tional symptoms resolve in the first 48 hours and then the respiratory symptoms become prominent. In most uncomplicated viral infections, in- cluding influenza, purulent nasal dis- charge does not appear for several days. Accordingly, itis the concurrent presentation of high fever and puru- lent nasal discharge for the first 3 to 4 days of an acute URI that helps to define the severe onset of acute bac- terial sinusitis 19 This presentation in children is the corollary to acute onset of headache, fever, and facial pain in adults with acute sinusitis. Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis are predisposing causes of some cases of acute bacterial sinusitis in childhood. In addition, at their onset, these con- ditions may be mistaken for acute bacterial sinusitis. A family history of atopic conditions, seasonal ocour- ences, or occurrences with exposure to common allergens and other Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013allergic diatheses in the index patient (eczema, atopic dermatitis, asthma) may suggest the presence of non- infectious rhinitis. The patient may have complaints of pruritic eyes and nasal mucosa, which will provide a clue to the likely etiology of the condition. On physical examination, ‘there may be a prominent nasal crease, allergic shiners, cobblestoning of the conjunctiva or pharyngeal wall, or pale nasal mucosa as other indi cators of the diagnosis Key Action Statement 2A Clinicians should not obtain imag- ing studies (plain films, contrast- enhanced computed tomography [CT], MRI, or ultrasonography) to distinguish acute bacterial sinusi- tis from viral URI (Evidence Quality: B; Strong Recommendation). KAS Profile 24 suspected to have acute bacterial si- nusits, it is no longer recommended The membranes that line the nose are continuous with the membranes (mucosa) that line the sinus cavities, the middle ear, the nasopharynx, and the oropharynx. When an individual ‘oxporiences a viral UR|, there is in- flammation of the nasal mucosa and, often, the mucosa of the middle ear and paranasal sinuses as well. The continuity of the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract is responsible for the controversy regarding the usefulness of images of the paranasal sinuses in contributing to 2 diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis, As early as the 1940s, observations were made regarding the frequency of abnormal sinus radiographs in healthy children without signs or symptoms of ‘Aggregate evidence quay 6: overahelmingy consistent evidence ‘fom observational susie, ‘olds exposure to radiation ard cost of studes Mids unnecessary therapy for faleposie siagnses Benet Harm None Cost oid cost of Benet-harm assessren Vue judgments Role of pater preference mating xcusive bent Concern for unnecessary radiation and costs Limited Parents may value a negative study and avsgance of arcbities 38 worthy of radiation but panel disagrees Intentions vagueness None Delusions strength ‘The purpose of this key action state- iment is to discourage the practitioner from obtaining imaging studies in children with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusitis. As emphasized in Key Action Statement 1, acute bacterial sinusitis in children is a diagnosis that is made on the basis of stringent clinical criteria that describe signs, symptoms, and temporal patterns of URI. Although historically imaging has been used as 2 confirmatory ‘or diagnostic modality in children 2266 FROM THE AMFRICNN ACADEMY OF PEDITRIES Paints with compl estions of susie Strong recommendation, ‘current respiratory disease."* In ad- dition, several investigators in the 1970s and 1980s observed that children with uncomplicated viral URI had fre- ‘quent abnormalities of the paranasal sinuses on plain radiographs °° These abnormalities were the same as those ‘considered to be diagnostic of acute bacterial sinusitis (difuse opacification, mucosal swelling of at least 4 mm, or an airfuid level) As technology advanced and CT scan- ning of the central nervous system and skull became prevalent, several stud: ies reported on incidental abnormali- ties of the paranasal sinuses that were observed in childrens Gwaltney et alt showed striking abnormalities (including air-luid levels) in sinus CT scans of young adults with un complicated colds, Manning et al? evaluated children undergoing either CT or MRI of the head for indications other than respiratory complaints or suspected sinusitis. Each patient un derwent rhinoscopy and otoscopy be fore imaging and each patient's parent was asked to fill out a ques: tionnaire regarding recent symptoms of URI. Sixtytwo percent of patients overall had physical findings or his: tory consistent with an upper re- spiratory inflammatory process, and 55% of the total group showed some abnormalities on sinus imaging: 33% showed pronounced mucosal thick: ening or an airfluid level. Gordts et ale? made similar observations in children undergoing MRI. Finally, Kristo et al performed MRI in chil dren with URIs and confirmed the high frequency (68%) of major abnormali ties seen in the paranasal sinuses. In summary, when the paranasal sinuses are imaged, either with plain radiographs, contrastenhanced CT, or MRI in children with uncomplicated URI, the majority of studies will be significantly abnormal with the same kind of findings that are associated with bacterial infection of the sinuses. Accordingly, although normal radic- graphs or CTor MRI results can ensure that a patient with respiratory symp- toms does nat have acute bacterial sinusitis, an abnormal image cannot confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, itis hot necessary to perform imaging in children with uncomplicated episodes of clinical sinusitis, Similarly, the high likelihood of an abnormal imaging result in a child with an uncomplicated URI indicates that radiographic studies ‘Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013not be performed in an attempt to eliminate the diagnosis of sinusitis, Key Action Statement 2B Clinicians should obtain a contrast- enhanced CT scan of the paranasal sinuses and/or an MRI with con- trast whenever a child is suspected of having orbital or central nervous ‘system complications of acute bac- terial sinusitis (Evidence Quality: ‘Strong Recommendation). KAS Profile 28 ‘aaregate evidence aaa eR an Soe saa ‘orbital complication, the site of in- fection remains confined to the sinus cavities; eye swelling is attributable to the impedance of venous drain- ‘age secondary to congestion within the ethmoid sinuses. Alternative terms for sympathetic effusion (in flammatory edema) are preseptal or periorbital cellulitis. The remaining “true” orbital complications are best visualized by contrastenhanced CT scanning. 1: overaheimingy consent evidence from observational uae event Deternine presence of abscesses, which may requ sure Intervertin: vod sequelae because of appropriate aggressive management Harm Exposure ta ianingrasation for OT scans; need fr sedation for WR cost Direc cost af susie Bonets-harm assessment Preporderance of beret Conoern fo signfeartcomplicaton that maybe uneecogrized and, ter‘ore, nat treated appropriately Value judgments ole of patent preference Lines Intentional vagueness None Fctsions None steenath The purpose of this key action state- ment is to have the clinician obtain contrastenhanced CT images when children are suspected of having se- rigus complications of acute bacterial sinusitis. The most common complica: tion of acute sinusitis involves the orbit in children with ethmoid sinusitis who are younger than § years2+* Orbital complications should be sus- pected when the child presents with 2 swollen eye, especialy if accompa nied by proptosis or impaired function of the extraocular muscles. Orbital complications of acute sinusitis have been divided into categories: sym- pathetic effusion, subperiosteal ab- cess, orbital cellulitis, orbital abscess, and cavernous sinus thrombosis Al though sympathetic effusion (inflam- matory edema) is categorized as an PEDITRICS Volume 182, Number 1, July 2018 Strong recommendation Intracranial complications of acute si- rusitis, which are substantially less ‘comman than orbital complications, are ‘more serious, with higher morbidity ‘and mortalty than thase involving the orbit Intracranial complications should bbe suspected in the patient wo pres: ents with a very severe headache, photophobia, seizures, or other focal neurologic findings. Intracranial. com: slications include subdural empyema, epidural empyema, venous thrombosis, brain abscess, and meningitis”? Typr cally, patients with intracranial compli cations of acute bacterial sinusitis are previously healthy adolescent males with frontal sinusitis There have been no head-to-head comparisons of the diagnostic accu: racy of contrast-enhanced CT scanning to MRI with contrast in the evaluation of orbital and intracranial complica tions of sinusitis in children. In gen- eral, the contrast-enhanced CT scan has been the preferred imaging study when complications of sinusitis are suspected% However, there are documented cases in which a contrast- enhanced CT scan has not revealed the abnormality responsible for the clinical presentation and the MRI with contrast has, especially for intra: cranial complications and rarely for orbital complications 5"** Accordingly, the most recent appropriateness cri- teria from the American College of Radiology endorse both MRI with contrast and contrast-enhanced CT as complementary examinations when evaluating potential complications of sinusitis The availabilty and speed of obtaining the contrast enhanced CI are desirable; howover, there is increasing concern regarding exposure to radia tion, The MRI, although very sensitive takes longer than the contrast: enhanced CT and often requires seda- tion in young children (which carries its own risks). In older children and adolescents who may nol require se- dation, MRI with contrast, if available, may be preferred when intracranial complications are likely. Furthermore, MRI with contrast should be performed when there is persistent clinical con ern or incomplete information has been provided by the contrast: enhanced CT scan, Key Action Statement 5 Initial Management of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis 3A: “Severe onset and worsening course” acute bacterial sinusitis. The clinician should prescribe an- tibiotic therapy for acute bacterial ‘sinusitis in children with severe onset or worsening course (signs, symptoms, or both) (Evidence Quality: B; Strong Recommenda- tion). Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013KAS Profile 34 2. Additional outpatient observation, de fined as initial management of acute bacterial sinusitis limited to contin- hese vit ‘idence qual: B randomized controled Benet Increase clical eure, shorten llness Guration, and may Prevent suppurative completions in a highs patient ued observation for 3 days, with com Population mencement of antibiotic therapy if baer averse effects of abit either the child does not improve Cost Dieeteost a therapy Benett-hanm assesment Preporcerance of bene. Value judgments Concern for morbidity are possible completions if unreated Role of patent preference Limes Irteiona vagueness None Belusions None strana ‘Strong recommendation 3B: “Persistent illness.” The clini- The purpose of this section is to offer cian should either prescribe anti- biotic therapy OR offer additional outpatient observation for 3 days to children with persistent illness (nasal discharge of any quality or cough or both for at least 10 days without evidence of improvement) (Evidence Quality: B; Recommenda- tion). guidance on initial management of persistent illness sinusitis by helping clinicians choose between the follow- ing 2 strategies: 1. Antibiatic therapy, dofined as intial ‘treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis with antbioties, with the intent of starting antibiotic therapy as soon as possible after the encounter, clinically within several days of diag: rsis or if there is clinical worsening of the childs condition at any time. In contrast to the 2001 AAP guidoline Which recommended antibiotic therapy for all children diagnosed with acute bacterial sinusitis, this guideline allows for additional observation of children presenting with persistent illness (na- sal discharge of any quality or daytime cough or both for at least 10 days without evidence of improvement). In both guidelines, however, children pre: senting with severe or worsening ill ness (which was not defined explicitly in the 2001 guideline’) are to receive antibiotic therapy. The rationale for this approach (Table 2) is discussed below, Antibiotic Therapy for Acute Bacterial Sinusitis In the United States, antibiotics are prescribed for 82% of children with acute sinusitis. The rationale for antibiotic therapy of acute bacterial KAS Profile 38 [agregate video quali 6: randomined carved wale with lations Beret “nibs inareaae the ohanceofimprovemert or care 10% se dp umber needed fo rea $0 advan sinusitis is based on the recovery of observation may aod he use of ators win atendont bacteria in high density (210° colony: at and adverse fete, forming units/ml) in 70% of maxillary har Antibiotics have saers tects (number needed t harm, 3) sinus aspirates obtained from chil dren with a clinical syndrome char- acterized by persistent nasal discharge, daytime cough, or both. Children who present with severe-onset acute bacterial sinusitis are presumed to hhave bacterial infection, because a temperature of at least 39°C/1022° and ma inveate bacterial resistance Observation may prolong ines and delay start of neeced antiiote therapy ost Dieetoost af antnatis as wall as cost of aoverse acon; inirect costs of delayed recovery when bservaton is urea Preporcerance of bene‘tfeecause Soh antbatie therapy and etonal servation with rescue antiios,if needed, are spprapnate management Foe for addtional bref abservation period for selected ehren with persistent ines sinus, smi 0 what Bonett-haom assessment Vilue judgments commanded or acute otis mela, dsp the lack of rangomizes tials speesly comparing adatonsl observation wth immediate atnigtie therapy ana anger duration of ines before preseration coexisting for at least 3 consecutive days with purulent nasal discharge is rot consistent with the welldocumented pattern of acute viral URL Similarly, children with worsening-course acute bacterial sinusitis have a clinical course that is also not consistent with the ole of patent preference ‘Susstasial role m shares detsionmaking that should incorporate lines severiy,chil’s quay of ie. era caregiver vas and concerns Intentions vegueness None Delusions Oren who are excluded fromm rargomes cine! tals of seat bacterial sinus, 36 defines in the tet steady improvement that character- streneth Recommendation izes an uncomplicated viral URLS? e268 FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDITRIES ‘Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013Three RTs have compared antibiotic therapy with placebo for the initial management of acute bacterial sinusitis in children. Two trials by Wald et als" found an increase in cure or improve- ‘ment afer antibiotic therapy compared with placebo with a number needed to treat of 3 to 5 children, Most children in these studies had persistent acute bacterial sinusitis, but children with severe or worsening illness were also included. Conversely, Garbutt ct al? who studied only children with persis- tent acute bacterial sinusitis, found no difference in outcomes for antibiotic versus placebo. Another RCT by Kristo et al often cited as showing no benefit from antibiatics for acute bacterial si- nusitis, will not be considered further because of methodologic flaws, in cluding weak entry criteria and in- adequate dosing of antiiotic treatment. The guideline recommends antibiotic therapy for severe or worsening acute bacterial sinusitis because of the ben- efits revealed in RCTs‘ and a theo- retically higher risk of suppurative complications than for children who present with persistent symptoms. Or- bital and intracranial complications of acute bacterial sinusitis have not been observed in RCTs, even when placebo was administered; however, sample sizes have inadequate power to pre- clude an increased risk, This risk, however, has caused some investigators to exclude children with severe acute bacterial sinusitis from trial entry:? Additional Observation for Persistent Onset Acute Bacterial Sinusitis The guideline recommends either anti- biotic therapy or an addtional brief period of observation as initial man agement strategies for children with persistent acute bacterial sinusitis be- cause, although there are benefits to antibiotic therapy (number needed to treat, 3-8), some children improve on their own, and the risk of suppurative PEDITRICS Volume 182, Number , July 2018 eR an Soe saa complications is lows#! Symptoms of persistent acute bacterial sinusitis may bbe mild and have varying effects. on 2 given childs quality of life, ranging from slight (mild cough, nasal. dis- charge) to significant (sleep disturbance, ‘behavioral changes, school or child care absenteeism). The benefits of antibiotic therapy in some trials” must also be balanced against an inoreased risk of adverse events (number need to harm, 3), most offen seflimited diarrhea, but also including occasional rash* Choosing between antibiotic therapy or additional observation for initial man- agement of persistent illness sinusitis presents an opportunity for shared decision-making with families (Table 2) Factors that might influence this de- cision include symptom severity. the childs quality of life, recent antbictic use, previous experience or outcomes with acute bacterial sinusitis, cost of antibiotics, ease of administration, care- iver concerns about potential adverse effects of antibiotics, persistence of re- piratory symptoms, or development of complications. Values and preferences expressed by the caregiver should be taken into consideration (Table 3) Children with persistent acute bacterial sinusitis who received antibiotic therapy in the previous 4 weeks, those with concurrent bacterial infection (eg, pneumonia, suppurative cervical aden’ tis, group A streptococcal pharyngitis, or acute otitis media), those with actual or KAS Profile 4 Aggregate evidence quality 8 randomized carroll suspected complications of acute bac- terial sinusitis, or those with underlying conditions should generally be managed with antibiotic therapy The latter group includes children with asthma, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, previous si- hus surgery, or anatomic abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract Limiting antibiotic use in children with persistent acute bacterial sinusitis who may improve on their own reduces common antibiotic-related adverse events, such as diarrhea, diaper der- mattis, and skin rash, The most recent RCT of acute bacterial sinusitis in children found adverse events of 44% with antibiotic and 14% with placebo. Limiting antibiotics may also reduce the prevalence of resistant bacterial Pathogens. Although this is always desirable goal, no increase in re sistant bacterial species was observed within the group of children treated with @ single course of antimicrobial agents (compared with those receiving placebo) in 2 recent lange studies of antibiatio versus placebo for children with acute otitis media. Key Action Statement 4 Clinicians should prescribe amoxi- cillin with or without clavulanate as first-line treatment when a de- cision has been made to initiate antibiotic treatment of acute bat terial sinusitis (Evidence Quality: B; Recommendation). ‘eal wih lnatabns Benen Increase cinioal cures with narrowest spectrum drug stepwise inrease in ‘broadening spetrum 2s risk factors for resistance increase acm Adverse effects of antbiotes including developmen: of hypersensitivity Cort Direct cst of antbiatic therapy. Benefits harm assessment Vue judgments Roe of patent are Preponderance of beret Concerns for nat encouraging resistance if possile. renee Poon far nares de on makin nat hou ngorporate he caregivers ‘erperiences and ales. Intentional vagueness one xlusions Strength Recommendation May include allergy or intolerance Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013TABLE 2 Recommend 1 for Cina Prevention Severe Ase acters Shunt" Uncomplicated soe bactenal Antibiot therapy sinusitis wahoutcoeusting ness Acute bacterial siustis wth Ania therapy coral or intracranial complestions Acute bocter‘lsiustis wth Alot therapy coasting ate ots mea, neuron, aden, oF ftrepocoeea) pharyngitis * Dt a rps BIE aa prot Ones el leat one sap 5 Use of Antibiot for Reute Bacterial Sinus Persistent Aawte Bacteria Sunt” Worsening sete Bacteria Suni? ‘otblais therapy aniote herapy or sddtional observation for 3 aayst oslo therapy —Aninoeterapy oslo therapy Anion therapy opaque waa card preset ener "Deine sna dichrt die cough wth subse worsening a salons iaese by means eer fr ststantl meta hal seage oF out) hate fa ny ua, tie cough atch maybe ware ida Bath pret or 10 "pars or haes cession mse wah thee fy absaton otra, a michansm mut ben pce ‘The purpose of this key action state- iment is to guide the selection of an- ‘timicrobial therapy once the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis has been made. The microbiology of acute bacterial sinusitis was determined nearly 30 years ago through direct maxillary sinus aspiration in children with compatible signs and symptoms, The major bacterial pathogens re- covered at that time were Strepte- coccus pneumoniae in approximately 30% of children and nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Morax- ella catarrhalis in approximately 20% each." Aspirates fram the remain- ing 25% to 30% of children were sterile Maxillary sinus aspiration is rarely performed at the present time unless the course of the infection is unusually prolonged or severe. Although some authorities have recommended obtain ing cultures from the midle meatus to determine the cause of a maxillary si ‘nus infection, there are no data in children with acute bacterial sinusitis ‘that have compared such cultures with cultures of a maxillary sinus aspirate. Furthermore, there are data indi cating that the middie meatus in healthy children is commonly colonized 270 FROM THE AMExicn acaDEMY OF PEDITIES with $ pneumoniae, H influenzae, and M catarrhalis: Recent estimates of the microbiology of acute sinusitis have, of necessity, been based primarily an that of acute otitis media (AOM), a condition with relatively easy access to infective flue id through performance of tympano- centesis and one with a similar pathogenesis to acute bacterial si rusitis74* The 3 most common bac- terial pathogens recovered from the middle ear fluid of children with AOM are the same as those that have been associated with acute bacterial si- nusitis: $ pneumoniae, nontypeable H influeneae, and M catarrhalis* The proportion of each has varied from study to study depending on criteria used for diagnosis of AOM, patient characteristics, and bacteriologic techniques. Recommendations since the year 2000 for the routine use in infants of 7-valent and, more recently, TBvalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-13) have been associated with a decrease in recovery of $ pneumoniae from ear fluid of children with AOM and a relative increase in the incidence of infections attribut- able to H influenzae’? Thus, on the basis of the proportions of bacteria found in middle ear infections, it is es timated that $ pneumoniae and H influeneae are currenty each respon sible for approximately 30% of cases of acute bacterial sinusitis in children, and M catarrhalis is responsible for ap- proximately 10%, These percentages are contingent on the assumption that approximately one quarter of aspirates of maxillary sinusitis would stil be sterile, as reported in earlier studies Staphylococcus aureus is rarely iso lated from sinus aspirates in children with acute bacterial sinusitis, and with the exception of acute maxillary sinus tis associated with infections of dental origins! respiratory anaerobes are also rarely recovered? Athough $ aureus is a very infrequent cause of acute bacterial sinusitis in children, it is 2 significant pathogen inthe orbital and intracranial complications of sinusitis The reasons for this discrepancy are unknown, Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for $ pneumoniae vary considerably from community to community. Iso: lates obtained from surveillance cen- ters nationwide indicate that, at the present time, 10% to 1596 of upper respiratory tract isolates of $ pnew- ‘moniae are nonsusceptible to penici- lin, however, values for penicilin nonsusceptibiliy as high as 50% to 80% have been reported in some areas 5% Of the organisms that are resistant, approximately half are highly resistant to penicilin and the remain ing half are intermediate in resis tance, 55°59 Between 10% and 42% of H influenzas= and close to 100% of M catarrhalis are likely to be lactamase positive and nonsus ceptible to amoxiilin. Because of dramatic geographic variability in the prevalence of frlactamase-positve H influenzae, t's extremely desirable for the practitioner to be familiar with lo cal patterns of susceptibility Risk fac: tors for the presence of organisms ‘Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013likely to be resistant to amoxicilin in clude attendance at child care, receipt of antimicrobial treatment within the previous 50 days, and age younger than 2 years 95560 ‘Amoxicilin remains the antimicrobial agent of choice for first-line treatment of uncomplicated acute bacterial si- nusitis in situations in which antimi crobial resistance is not suspected. This recommendation is based on amonicillins effectiveness, safety, 2c- ceptable taste, low cost, and relatively narrow microbiologic spectrum, For children aged 2 years or older with uncomplicated acute bacterial sinusi- tis that is mild to moderate in degree of severity who do nat attend child care and who have not been treated with an antimicrobial agent within the last 4 weeks, amoxiilin is. recom- mended at a standard dase of 45 mgikg per day in 2 divided doses. In com- munities with a high prevalence of nansusceptible $ pneumoniae (>10%, including intermediate- and high-level resistance), treatment may be init ated at 20 to 90 mgkg per day in 2 divided doses, with a maximum of 2 g per doses This highsdose amoxicillin therapy is likely to achieve sinus fluid concentrations that are adequate to overcome the resistance of S pneumoniae, which is attributable to alteration in penicllin-binding pro- teins on the basis of data derived from patients with AOMS" If, within the next several years afler licensure of POV-18, a continuing decrease in iso- lates of S$ pneumoniae (including 2 decrease in isolates of nonsusceptible S pneumoniae) and an increase in Bactamase-producing H influenzae are observed, standard-dose amoxcilin- clavulanate (45 mg/kg per day) may be most approoriate. Patients presenting with moderate to severe iiness as well as those younger than 2 years, attending child care, or who have recently been treated with PEDITRICS Volume 182, Number 1, July 2013 eR an Soe saa ‘an antimicrobial may receive high: dose amoxiciliclavulanate (80-90 mg/kg per day of the amoxicillin component with 64 mg/kg per day of clavulanate in 2 divided doses with a maximum of 2 per dose) The potassium clavulanate levels are adequate to inhibit all pHlactamase— producing # influenzae and M catar has 385 A single S0-mg/kg dose of ceftriaxone, ven either intravenously of intrar rmuscularly, can be used for children ‘who are vomiting, unable o tolerate aral ‘medication, or unlikely be adherent to the intial doses of antibiotic The 3 major bacterial pathogens involved in acute bacterial sinusitis are susceptible to ceftriaxone in 95% to 100% of cases #545" If clinical improvement is ‘observed at 24 hours, an oral antibiotic ‘can be substituted to complete the course of therapy. Children who are still significantly febrile or symptomatic at 24 hours may require additional par- enteral doses before switching to oral therapy. The treatment of patients with pre- sumed allergy to penicilin has been controversial. However, recent pub- lications indicate that the risk of 4 serious allergic reaction to second: and third-generation cephalosporins in patients with penicillin or amox cillin allergy appears to be almost nil ‘and no greater than the risk among patients without such allergy!-* Thus, patients allergic to amoxiilin with a non-type 1 (late or delayed, >72 hours) hypersensitivity reac: tion can safely be treated with cefdinir, cefuroxime, or cefpodoxime.s-® Patients with a history of @ serious type 1 immediate or accelerated (anaphyiactoid) reaction to amoxicilin can also safely be treated with cefdinir, cefuroxime, or cefpodoxime. In both circumstances, clinicians may wish to determine individual tolerance by referral to an allergist for penicillin and/or cephalosporin skintesting be fore initiation of therapy®* The susceptibility of S pneumoniae to cefdinir, cefpodoxime, and cefuroxime varies from 60% to 75%" and the susceptibility of H influenzae to these agents varies from 85% to 10036365 In young children (<2 years) with 2 serious type 1 hypersensitivity to peniciliin and moderate or more se- vere sinusitis, it may be prudent to use a combination of clindamycin (or linezolid) and cefixime to achieve the ‘most comprehensive coverage against both resistant S pneumoniae and influenae, Linezolid has excellent ac- tivity against all S$ preumoniae, in- cluding penicilinresistant strains, but lacks activity against H influenzae and M catarrhalis, Atternatively, a quino- lone, such as levofloxacin, which has a high level of activity against both $ pneumoniae and H influenzae, may be prescribed”® Although the use of quinolones is usually restricted be- cause of concerns for toxicity, cost, and emerging resistance, their use in this circumstance can be justified Pneumococcal and H influenzae sur- veillance studies have indicated that resistance of these organisms to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and azithromycin is. sufficient to preclude thoir use for treatment of acute bacte- rial sinusitis in patients with peniaillin hypersensitivity>*s¢s002 The optimal duration of antimicrobial therapy for patients with acute bac: terial sinusitis has not received sys- tematic study. Recommendations based on clinical observations have varied widely, from 10 to 28 days of treatment, An alternative suggestion has been made that antibiotic therapy be continued for 7 days after the pa tiont becomes free of signs and symptoms. This strategy has the ad vantage of individualizing the treat- ment of each patient, results in a minimum course of 10 days, and Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013avoids prolonged antimicrobial ther apy in patients who are asymptomatic and therefore unlikely to adhere to ‘the full course of treatment Patients who are acutely ill and appear toxic when first seen (see below) can be managed with 1 of 2 options Consuitation can be requested from an otolaryngologist for consideration of maxillary sinus aspiration (with ap propriate analgesia/anesthesia) to obtain a sample of sinus secretions for Gram stain, culture, and suscep- ‘ibility testing so that antimicrobial therapy can be adjusted precisely Aternatively inpatient therapy can be initiated with intravenous cefotaxime or ceftriaxone, with referral to. an otolaryngologist if the patient's con dition worsens or fails to show im provement within 48 hours. If a complication is suspected, manage: mont will differ depending onthe site and severity A recent guideline was published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America for acute bacterial rhinosi nusitis in children and adults” Thoir recommendation for initial em- pirical antimicrobial therapy for acute bacterial sinusitis in children was amoxicilin-clavulanate based on the concern that there is an increasing prevalence of H influenzae as 2 cause of sinusitis since introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and an increasing prevalence of Blactamase production among these strains. In contrast, this guideline {rom the AAP allows either amoxicillin or amoxiilin-clavulanate as first-line empirical therapy and is therefore inclusive of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s recommendation Unfortunately, there are scant data available regarding the precise mi- crobiology of acute bacterial sinusitis in the post-POV-13 era. Prospective surveillance of nasopharyngeal cul tures may be helpful in completely 272 FROM THE AMERich acDEMY OF PEDITRES aligning these recommendations in the future, Key Action Statement 5A Clinicians should reassess initial management if there is either ‘a caregiver report of worsening (progression of initial signs/ symptoms or appearance of new signs/symptoms) OR failure to improve (lack of reduction in all presenting signs/symptoms) within 72 hours of initial manage ‘ment (Evidence Quality: ¢; Recom- bacterial sinusitis by 72 hours after diagnosis and initial_ management; patients with persistent but improving symptoms do nat meet this definition ‘The rationale for using 72 hours as the time to assess treatment failure for acute bacterial sinusitis is based on clinical outcomes in RCTs. Wald et al*” found that 18 of 35 patients (51%) re- ceiving placebo demonstrated symp- tomatic improvement within 3 days of initiation of treatment; only an addi tional 3 patients receiving placebo (9%) improved between days 3 and 10 ‘mendation). KAS Profile 54 In the same study, 48 of 58 patients ‘Agarogate evidence quality observational stuies Benente cont Benet harm assessment ue judgments Bole of patent sreterences ldertieaton of paints who may have been misdiagnosed ‘those a rik of completions, and those wha require 3 change in managemert Delay of up to 72 hours in changing therapy patient als to Aonal prover and caregiver time and resources Presonderance of beret Use of 72 nous to assess protress may result excessive ‘lassiteation a treatrent failures if premature: emphasis ‘an importance of worsering les in dening treatment ‘aiures Caregivers gtermine whether the sever ofthe patents ‘ness uss the coport to clniian ofthe patents worsening ot failure to improve. Intemona vagueness elusions None Patints with sover iless, poor general heath, complicated sinus, immune dfieny previous sinus surgery, or coiling Ba mmensaion, stenatn The purpose of this key action state- ment is to ensure that patients with acute bacterial sinusitis who fail to improve symptomatically after initial management are reassessed to be certain that they have been correctly diagnosed and to consider initiation of alternate therapy to hasten resolution ‘of symptoms and avoid complications. "Worsening" is defined as progression of presenting signs or symptoms of acute bacterial sinusitis or onset of new signs or symptoms. “Failure to improve" is lack of reduction in pre- senting signs or symptoms of acute (85%) receiving antibiotics were cured or improved within § days; at 10 days, the overall rate of improvement was 79%, suggesting that no addi- tional patients improved between days 3 and 10. In a more recent study, 17 of 19 children who ultimately failed initial therapy with either an tibiotic or placeno demonstrated failure to improve within 72 hours.* Although Garbutt et al*” did not re: port the percentage of patients who improved by day 3, they did demon- strate that the majority of improve- ment in symptoms occurred within ‘Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013the first 3 days of study entry whether they received active treat- ment or placebo, Reporting of either worsening or failure to improve implies a shared responsibility between clinician and caregiver. Although the clinician should educate the caregver re garding the anticipated reduction in symptoms within 3 days, it is in- cumbent on the caregiver to appro- priately notify the clinician of concerns regarding worsening or failure to improve. Clinicians should emphasize the importance of reassessing those children whose symptoms are wors- ening whether or not antibiotic ther- apy was prescribed. Reassessment may be indigated before the 72-hour KAS Profile 58 eR an Soe saa process by which such reporting ‘occurs should be discussed at the time the initial management strategy is determined. Key Action Statement 5B If the diagnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis is confirmed in a child with worsening symptoms or fail- ure to improve in 72 hours, then clinicians may change the antibi- otic therapy for the child initially managed with antibiotic OR initiate antibiotic treatment of the child initially managed with observation (Evidence Quality: D; Option based ‘on expert opinion, case reports, and reasoning from first princi- ples). corresponds to the patient's pattern of illness, as defined in Key Action Statomont 1. If caregivers report ‘worsening of symptoms at any time in 2 patient for whom observation was the initial intervention, the clinician should begin treatment as discussed in key Action Statement 4, For patients whose symptoms are mild and who have failed to improve but have not worsened, initiation of antimicrobial agents or continued observation (for up to $ days) is reasonable. I caregivers report worsening of symptoms after § days in 2 patient initially treated with antimicrobial agents, current signs and symptoms should be reviewed to determine whether acute bacterial sinusitis is still the best diagnosis. If sinusitis is still the best diagnosis, infection with drugresistant bacteria is probable, ‘aaregate evidence gua sexpert opinion and reasoning from Are rin Benet Hatre cost Benate-nac ateessment Value uagments Foe of patent preferences Prevention of compliations, amin stration of eztv therapy averse effects of secondary antisite therapy Direteost of redestions, fen substan for seeorctine gets Proponaerance of bent ‘lncian must aeterm ne whetner cost and adverse eects sssociaed wit change in ating justited gen the seventy of less Limited in pationss whase symptoms are severe or warseing but caregivers af milly atfectes chicren who are fling :2 improve may reasonably deter change in anticic Intentional vagueness None Frclsions None steangth option mark if the patient is. substantially worse, because it may indicate the development of complications or @ need for parenteral therapy. Con versaly, in some cases, caregivers may think that symptoms are not sovere enough to justify a change to an antibiotic with a less desirable safety profile or even the time, effort, and resources required for reas- sessment. Accordingly, the circum: stances under which caregivers report back to the clinician and the PEDITRICS Volume 182, Number 1, July 2018 The purpose of this key action state- ment is to ensure optimal antimicro- bial treatment of children with acute bacterial sinusitis whose symptoms worsen or fail to respond to the initial intervention to prevent complications and reduce symptom severity and duration (see Table 4). Clinicians wino are notified by a care- iver that a child's symptoms are worsening or failing to improve should confirm that the clinical di agnosis of acute bacterial sinusitis and an alternate antimicrobial agent may be administered. Faceto-face reevaluation of the patient is desir- able, Once the decision is made to change medications, the clinician should consider the limitations of the initial antibiotic coverage, the antici- pated susceptibility of residual bacte- rial pathogens, and the ability of antibiotics to adequately penetrate the site of infection. Cultures of sinus or nasopharyngeal secretions in pa- tients with initial antibiotic failure have identified a large percentage of bacteria with resistance to the original antibiotic.”"”? Furthermore, multidrug-resistant S$ pneumoniae and frlactamasepositive H influenzae and M catarrhalis are more commonly isolated after previous antibiotic expo- sure/"* Unfortunately, there are no studies In children that have inves- tigated the microbiology of treatment failure in acute bacterial sinusitis or cure rates using secondline antimi crobial agents. As a result, the likeli hood of adequate antibiotic coverage for resistant organisms must be Downloaded from pediatrics aappublications.org by guest on July 29, 2013