843 Hospitalisation data of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Malta

Abstract

Conclusion Suppurative intracranial infections are rare but serious neurological diseases. This cohort demonstrated a decrease in the incidence of Paediatric Suppurative Brain Infection in 2020-2021 of 78% (p<0.003). This correlated with the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.This audit supports a high clinical suspicion for brain abscess in children with a recent infection, particularly sinusitis. Ceftriaxone and Metronidazole are an adequate first line empiric treatment, with adjustment according to sensitivities.The emerging patterns in this audit are supported by similar, larger studies; this data presents valuable information for the management of paediatric intracranial infections and informs further studies.