Group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infection remains one of the most common bacterial diseases in childhood and continues to pose a significant clinical challenge due to its diverse manifestations and potential for serious complications. This article aims to analyze the clinical course of Group A β-hemolytic streptococcal infections in children, with particular attention to age-related features, severity of symptoms, and the development of early and late complications. Special emphasis is placed on the diagnostic difficulties associated with atypical presentations and the role of timely antimicrobial therapy in preventing post-streptococcal sequelae. The findings highlight the importance of early recognition, appropriate laboratory confirmation, and rational treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and long-term outcomes in pediatric patients.

Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus; pediatric infections; clinical manifestations; post-streptococcal complications; early diagnosis; antimicrobial therapy

Cunningham M.W. Pathogenesis of group A streptococcal infections and their sequelae. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2000;13(3):470–511.

Stevens D.L., Bryant A.E. Severe group A streptococcal infections. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;374(23):2255–2265.

Shulman S.T., Bisno A.L., Clegg H.W., et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2012;55(10):1279–1282.

Carapetis J.R., Steer A.C., Mulholland E.K., Weber M. The global burden of group A streptococcal diseases. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2005;5(11):685–694.

Walker M.J., Barnett T.C., McArthur J.D., et al. Disease manifestations and pathogenic mechanisms of group A streptococcus. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2014;27(2):264–301.

Bisno A.L., Brito M.O., Collins C.M. Molecular basis of group A streptococcal virulence. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2003;3(4):191–200.

Ralph A.P., Carapetis J.R. Group A streptococcal diseases and their global burden. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology. 2013;368:1–27.

Cunningham M.W., Swerlick R.A. Post-streptococcal autoimmune sequelae: rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2016;28(4):408–416.