Emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia among children in England and Wales, 1990-2001.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is now a major cause of adult bacteraemia. All reports of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia to the Health Protection Agency were analysed from 1990 to 2001. There were 376 cases of MRSA bacteraemia in children <15 years over this time. The proportion of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia due to MRSA increased steadily from 0.9% in 1990 to 13% in 2000. The proportion was higher in infants. MRSA bacteraemia is now a serious problem in children in England and Wales. More data on the risk factors for acquisition and spread of MRSA in children are required.