Incomplete Treatment of Neonatal Pneumonia Causing Giant Pneumatocele in a 45-Day Infant

Abstract

We report the case of giant pneumatocele due to an incomplete treatment of neonatal pneumonia in a 45-day infant. Two pneumatoceles were formed in the seventh day of pneumonia previously treated for 2 days, and none of them was under tension; however, the size gradually increased. The patient remained asymptomatic. All cultures taken failed to isolate the causing bacteria. Intravenous antibiotics resulted in a successful treatment. The purpose of this case is to highlight the importance of adequate treatment when neonatal pneumonia is highly suspected with normal radiological findings, to search for pneumatoceles as a complication of inadequately treated pneumonia and to rule out congenital malformations in case of pulmonary cyst.

Marasmus and stunting in 2-month-old boy with pneumatocele

“…Hussain et al (2) in the post surfactant era, including 1053 infants with a gestational age of d" 30 weeks and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) requiring positive pressure ventilation, identified pneumatoceles in 19 infants, giving an incidence of 1.8% and a male to female ratio of 12:7. Pneumatocele is commonly seen in infants and young children as a complication of Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia, (3) its frequency can be as high as 85% and its predilection site depends on the susceptibility of the individual to infection. The high incidence was attributed to the high level of undernutrition in children.…”

“…(11) Pneumatocele is a complication of communityacquired pneumonia (CAP) and increases the risk of death in children under five years. (3) The purpose of this case is to highlight the importance of adequate treatment when neonatal pneumonia is highly suspected with normal radiological findings, to search for pneumatocele as a complication of marasmus and stunting and to rule out congenital malformations in case of pulmonary cyst.…”