METHOD:
Pneumonia was diagnosed based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological
data. Its severity and the diagnosis of complicated pneumonia were
confirmed via radiological examination. In the presence of PPE, NP, EMP,
and LA, CCAP is considered. Simple pleural effusion accompanied by CAPs
was treated, and thoracic USG was performed to assess effusion (≤10 mm,
without septations).
Patient data :
Data about demographic characteristics such as age and sex; admission
symptoms; physical examination findings; laboratory and imaging results;
treatment information in the file records of 113 patients aged between 1
month and 18 years who were hospitalized in our hospital’s pediatric
wards between January 01, 2017, and December 31, 2017, due to CAP and
CCAP; and treatment response were obtained. Moreover, information
regarding comorbidities (such as asthma, immunodeficiency, and
congenital heart disease) and treatments was investigated. Medical
history, duration of fever, and antibiotic therapy history was noted. In
patients diagnosed with CCAP who developed PPE and EMP, data about
medical procedures such as thoracentesis and/or chest tube insertion,
pleural fluid examination, microbiological analysis, and additional
imaging; surgical intervention (thoracentesis, GT, and VATS), and
hospitalization duration were investigated. Patients with an underlying
chronic lung disease (including cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis),
hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated pneumonia, primary or secondary
immunodeficiency, and swallowing dysfunction were excluded from the
study. Patients were divided into two groups (those without pulmonary
complications and those without). Then, the two groups were compared
using the abovementioned variables.