Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Pediatric

Bacteremia or infections of the blood may be primary or occur secondary to infections at other sites of the body such as lungs, urinary tract, skin, etc., medical procedures, or due to invasive devices such as catheters. The Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Pediatric test identifies the aerobic bacteria or fungi (those that need oxygen for survival) that cause bacteremia or other severe infections. This helps the doctor select appropriate antibiotics to optimize treatment outcomes and minimize the development of antibiotic resistance.

The doctor may suggest this test if you experience symptoms suggestive of bacteremia, such as ​​fever, chills, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, etc. The Culture Aerobic Blood (Automated), Pediatric test employs rapid automated cultures, which can identify the organisms earlier and with increased sensitivity compared to conventional culture.

No special preparation is needed for this test. However, inform the doctor about all the medications the child may be taking. This is because certain medications, such as antibiotics, can interfere with the test results and lead to false negatives if taken before the test. Your doctor may ask you to temporarily discontinue these medications to ensure accurate results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs. Talk to your doctor about your child’s specific test results. Based on these, the doctor analyzes which medications are best for treating the present condition and whether more testing or procedures are necessary to ensure effective therapy.