Risk factors for complicated community‐acquired pneumonia in children

Abstract

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.

Mean platelet volume and D-dimer as predictors for complicated community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children

“…All children aged between 2 months and 18 years who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of CAP were included in the study. CAP was defined as the presence of signs and symptoms of pneumonia in a previously healthy child who acquired infection outside the hospital and radiological findings of lung consolidation [8].…”

Risk factors for severe community-acquired pneumonia in infants and preschool children

“…Дыхательная недостаточность, плеврит, пневмоторакс, абсцесс легкого, деструкция легких и инфекционнотоксический шок -грозные и достаточно частые осложнения пневмоний, приводящие к неблагоприятному исходу. Развитие данных состояний наиболее характерно для детей раннего и дошкольного возраста (более 80% случаев), что обусловлено незрелостью иммунной системы и анатомо-физиологическими особенностями органов дыхания в этом периоде [4,5].…”