A Clinical Study of Lobar/Lobular Pneumonia in Children

Lee, Yoon Hee; Shin, Young Lim; Suh, Won Suk; Shin, Mee Yong; Park, Jae Ock

Abstract

PURPOSE
We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and etiological organisms associated with lobar/lobular pneumonia in Korean children.
METHODS
Children hospitalized due to radiographically confirmed lobar/lobular pneumonia were evaluated prospectively between June 2006 and May 2008. Anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM/IgG (at admission and follow-up), blood cultures, throat swabs for bacterial detection or sputum culture, respiratory viruses (Respiratory syncytial virus, Adenovirus and Influenza A/B) antigen testing, and urinary antigen testing for S. pneumoniae were performed.
RESULTS
Two hundred eighty-eight immunocompetent children (mean age, 5.9 years) were enrolled. The age distribution showed a peak frequency at 2-6 years of age (<2 years, 8.7%; 2-6 years, 60.8%; 7-10 years, 22.6%; 11-15 years, 8.0%). Typical respiratory organisms were identified in 64.9% of cases. Identified organisms were Mycoplasma pneumoniae (50.7%), bacteria in (5.9%), viruses (2.1%) and mixed infection (5.9%). Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most commonly identified organism in all age groups. The majority (88.9%) of bacterial pneumonias including mixed infection were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Mycoplasma pneumonia was the most frequent at 5-6 years of age, but bacterial pneumonia was most frequent at 1-2 years of age. Lobar/lobular pneumonia began to increase from August and showed peak incidence in November and December. The levels of WBC, ESR, and CRP more significantly elevated in those with bacterial pneumonia than in children with mycoplasma pneumonia. Pleural effusion was present in 18.1% of cases. In these cases, the duration of fever and hospitalization was prolonged, and the ESR and CRP levels were significantly higher, than those without pleural effusion.
CONCLUSION
Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most common organism causing lobar/lobular pneumonia in children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the most frequent causative organism at 5-6 years of age. On the other hand, bacterial pneumonia was more common at 1-2 years of age. Thus, age may be a significant factor for the diagnosis and treatment of lobar/lobular pneumonia in children.