Empyema and bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children under five years of age

J Bras Pneumol. 2014 Jan-Feb;40(1):69-72. doi: 10.1590/S1806-37132014000100010.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

We compared bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia (BPP) and pneumococcal empyema (PE), in terms of clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings, in under-fives. A cross-sectional nested cohort study, involving under-fives (102 with PE and 128 with BPP), was conducted at 12 centers in Argentina, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. Among those with PE, mean age was higher; disease duration was longer; and tachypnea, dyspnea, and high leukocyte counts were more common. Among those with BPP, fever and lethargy were more common. It seems that children with PE can be distinguished from those with BPP on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings. Because both conditions are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, prompt diagnosis is crucial.

Comparamos crianças menores de cinco anos com pneumonia pneumocócica bacterêmica (PPB) àquelas com empiema pneumocócico (EP) quanto aos achados clínicos, radiológicos e laboratoriais. Um estudo de coorte aninhado transversal, com 102 crianças com EP e 128 com PPB, foi realizado em 12 centros na Argentina, no Brasil e na República Dominicana. Nas crianças com EP, a média de idade e a duração da doença foram maiores. Taquipneia, dispneia e contagem de leucócitos alta foram mais comuns nas crianças com EP; febre e letargia foram mais comuns naquelas com PPB. Parece possível distinguir crianças com EP de crianças com PPB a partir de achados clínicos e laboratoriais. Como essas duas doenças estão associadas a altas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade, o diagnóstico rápido é crucial.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Empyema* / diagnosis
  • Empyema* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric
  • Male
  • Patient Readmission
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal* / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Pneumococcal* / epidemiology
  • Risk Assessment