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Treatment Methods for Lyme Disease in Pediatric Patients
Samantha S. Ficon
Identified Problem: Lyme disease is a growing vector transmitted disease
among pediatric patients, which if unrecognized or undertreated, can cause
multi-body system dysfunction, including chronic pain, arthralgias, myalgias,
and neurological consequences. Early recognition and correct treatment are
necessary to prevent long-term sequelae, such as neurological, cardiac, and
central nervous system complications, and chronic Lyme disease, which is a
controversial topic.
Summary of Data Sources: Primary databases used were PubMed and
CINAHL, resulting in 20 articles. Search terms included Lyme disease treatment,
Lyme disease management, antibiotics for Lyme disease, antimicrobials for
Lyme disease, prevention of Lyme disease, diagnosis of Lyme disease, Lyme
meningitis, neurological Lyme, cardiac complications with Lyme disease, central
nervous system Lyme, chronic Lyme disease, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
Syndrome (PTLDS), symptoms of Lyme disease, and clinical manifestations of
Lyme disease. Inclusion criteria were research studies with pediatric patients
and articles published in the last 10 years.
Data Synthesis: Research on treatment recommendations for early disseminated
Lyme disease in pediatric patients resulted in a general consensus: the use
of oral therapy for disseminated Lyme and the use of intravenous therapy for
neurological and cardiac manifestations. PTLDS treatment was controversial
and underdeveloped.
Conclusions: Prevention methods exist to prevent Lyme disease, and it is
important to educate children and caregivers about them. Health care providers
need more education and recognition to test and treat or to refer patients.
Although appropriate treatment recommendations are available, more research
is needed regarding chronic Lyme disease and PTLDS. |
