Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Children: A Nationwide Survey in Finland.

Background: The incidence of invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections varies in time and geographically for unknown reasons. We performed a nationwide survey to assess the population-based incidence rates and outcomes of children with iGAS infections.

Methods: We collected data on patients from hospital discharge registries and the electronic databases of microbiological laboratories in Finland for the period 1996-2010.