Diphtheria, Pediatric

Michael J. Smith, MD, MSCE Reviewed 10/2018

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Acute infectious disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae; affects primarily the membranes of the upper respiratory tract with the formation of a gray-white pseudomembrane

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DIAGNOSIS

Respiratory tract diphtheria
- Nasal diphtheria starts with mild rhinorrhea that gradually becomes serosanguineous, then mucopurulent, and often malodorous; it occurs most often in infants.
- Tons...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

Antibiotic therapy: Use in addition to, not in place of, diphtheria antitoxin (DAT).

Respiratory diphtheria
- Penicillin G
  - Aqueous crystalline 150,000 to 250,000 U/kg/24 h IV in 4 divi...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Mild cases: After membrane sloughs off in 7 to 10 days, recovery is usually uneventful.
More severe cases: Recovery may be slower; serious compli...

ADDITIONAL READING

American Academy of Pediatrics. Diphtheria. In: Kimberlin DW, Brady MT, Jackson MA, et al, eds. Red Book: 2015 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 29th ed. Elk Grove Vi...

CODES

ICD9

032.9 Diphtheria, unspecified
032.1 Nasopharyngeal diphtheria
032.85 Cutaneous diphtheria
032.81 Conjunctival diphtheria
032.84 Diphtheritic cystitis
032.3 Laryngeal diphtheria
032.89 Other specif...

FAQ

Q: What is the incidence of diphtheria in the United States?
A: One probable case of diphtheria was reported in the United States in 2012, the first since 2003. Cutaneous diphtheria still occurs bu...

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