Mycoplasmal Pneumonia in Childhood

Overview

Objective:
Mycoplasma infections participate significantly in the etiology of pneumonia acquired in the community, especially in children of school age and adolescents. The work investigated the proportion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the etiology of pneumonia acquired in the community and the incidence of complications.

Patients:
The authors evaluated the data in 531 patients at the age of 3–18 years treated the 2nd Pediatric Department of Medical Faculty, Komensky University and Children University Hospital in Bratislava in the years 1984–2005 with the diagnosis of acute pneumonia.

Results:
Mycoplasma infection was confirmed by serological examination in 32.5% (173/531) cases. The higher occurrence was observed in the period of epidemic of mycoplasma infection in the years 1985 – 53.0 %, 1991 – 50 %, 1995 – 45.8 %, 2000 – 71.4% and 2005 – 50 %. Pulmonary complications occurred in 16.1% (28/173), most frequent being pleuritis, rarely atelectasis and in one case enlarged hilus lymphatic nodes. Extrapulmonary complications were observed in 12.7% (22/173), most frequent being gastroenteritis, rarely affection of central nervous system, exanthemas, hemolytic anemia of mild degree and arthralgia. Severe complications occurred in 3.4% (6/173), extensive pleural exudates, respiratory insufficiency, ischemia in the area of cerebral artery and exudative pericarditis.

Conclusion:
Mycoplasma pneumonia was the cause of pneumonia acquired in the community in 32.5%. Severe complications occurred in 3.4%. The patients were cured up without permanent consequences, no patient died. Macrolide antibiotics proved to be successful. The patients with a complicated course of the disease should be regularly observed in follow up examinations until the X-ray finding and pulmonary functions became normal.

Key words:
mycoplasmal pneumonia, complications, children, adolescents