Pediatric abscess incidence may be higher postpandemic

Head and neck abscess incidence was more than 3-fold higher following the pandemic, while patient characteristics and treatment patterns remained largely similar.

By
Andrea Surnit
September 11, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Overview

A retrospective cohort study found that the incidence of pediatric head and neck abscesses increased more than threefold in the postpandemic period compared to prepandemic levels. This study analyzed 194 patients and highlighted significant increases across various abscess types.

Background

The rise in pediatric head and neck abscesses post-COVID-19 is concerning as it may reflect changes in infection patterns and healthcare access.

Data Highlights

Period	Incidence (per 10,000 ED patients/year)	Mean Abscess Diameter (cm)
Prepandemic	3.34	2.4
Lockdown	6.13	3.45
Postpandemic	10.95	2.46

Key Findings

The incidence of pediatric head and neck abscesses increased from 3.34 cases per 10,000 ED patients per year prepandemic to 10.95 postpandemic.
Postpandemic incidence was 3.28-fold higher than the prepandemic incidence.
Significant increases were noted in cervical lymphadenitis with abscess, peritonsillar abscess, and retropharyngeal/parapharyngeal abscess.
No new dominant pathogens were identified; common organisms included Streptococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus.
Clinical management remained largely similar across the three periods studied.
Patient demographics did not account for the increased incidence observed postpandemic.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare providers should be vigilant in recognizing and managing pediatric head and neck abscesses, especially in the post-pandemic context. Ongoing surveillance and prompt intervention are essential to address the rising incidence of these infections.