Background Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children continues to be one of the prominent causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. By determining the risk factors associated with the development of complicated CAP (CCAP), new approaches for early diagnosis and effective treatment can be identified. Methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with CAP and CCAP who visited the pediatric ward of the study hospital between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. For patients with CCAP, data regarding medical procedures performed, surgical intervention, and hospitalization duration were collected. Results A total of 111 patients, 93 (83.7%) with CAP and 18 (16.3%) with CCAP, aged between 3 months and 18 years were hospitalized because of severe pneumonia. The mean age of the patients was 3.6 ± 1.2 years and 60 (54%) of them were female. The mean age of patients with CCAP was higher than that of patients with CAP (4.2 ± 3.3 vs. 2.8 ± 2.1 years respectively); however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.012). Patients with CCAP exhibited a significantly higher C‐reactive protein level than those with CAP (10.06 ± 7.55 vs. 4.43 ± 3.37 g/L respectively; p = 0.007). Hypoxia upon admission was noted more commonly in the CCAP group than in the CAP group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Findings related to hypoxia, respiratory distress, and pleural effusion on imaging are important distinguishing factors associated with the development of complications in patients hospitalized with CAP. Therefore, CCAP etiology, diagnosis, and treatment approaches should be established and protective measures adopted.

Introduction:Community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) in children has tended to decrease in recent years with effective vaccination and treatments.However,the frequency of complicated community-acquired pneumonia (CCAP) is gradually increasing.By determining risk factors for the development of CCAP,new approaches for early diagnosis and effective treatment can be determined. Method: Records of 113 patients who were hospitalized due to CAP and CCAP between January 2017 and December 2017 were examined.Demographic characteristics of the patients,comorbid diseases,admission symptoms,physical examination findings,laboratory and imaging results, treatments, hospital stay and treatment response were recorded. Pleural effusion,if empyema developed in patients with CCAP,thoracentesis and/or chest tube insertion,fibrinolytic therapy,and the need for additional surgical intervention were investigated. Results:Our patients had a mean age of 3.6 ± 2.2, 60(53%) were female and 53(47%) were male.93 (82.3%) of the patients were diagnosed with CAP and 18(15.9%) were diagnosed with CCAP.Detection of pleural effusion at the admission of patients in multivariate logistic regression[(OR (95% CI),4.24 (1.77-10.16), p <0.001)] respiratory distress(tachypnea and retraction)[(OR (95% CI) 3.04 (1.30-7.130) ),p <0.001)] and hypoxia (92% and less saO2 measured by pulse oximeter) at admission [(OR (95% CI),: 5.247 (1.58-9.46),p <0.001)] were identified as independent risk factors for diagnosis of CCAP. Discussion:Hypoxia,respiratory distress and imaging pleural effusion are important distinguishing findings for development of complications in patients admitted for CAP. Determining the etiology of CCAPs and early diagnosis and treatment approaches can be established, and protection measures can be taken. With future prospective studies, the causes of CCAP can be determined and preventive measures and new treatment approaches can be developed