Pattern of Occurrence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Admitted Children: Southern Central Korea, from 1989 to 2002

Kang, Ki Su; Woo, Hyang Ok

Abstract

PURPOSE
The determination of exposure and prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia of any region should be helpful for clinical diagnosis. We studied the pattern of occurrence of M. pneumoniae pneumonia among children living in southern central Korea during the last 13 years. This area has a relatively small population and less mobility compared with metropolitan areas.
METHODS
We performed a retrospective descriptive study of 143 patients admitted to the pediatrics ward among all the patients aged less than 15 years old diagnosed with M. pneumoniae pneumonia at our hospital, from July 1989 to June 2002.
RESULTS
The percentiles of incidence per year compared to the total patients admitted to a pediatric ward per year were 0.52% in 1989, 0.48% in 1990, 0.13% in 1991, 0% in 1992, 1.85% in 1993, 1.00% in 1994, 0.15% in 1995, 0.53% in 1996, 1.75% in 1997, 0.65% in 1998, 0.24% in 1999, 1.14% in 2000, 1.30% in 2001, 0.53% in 2002. In the peak incidence of monthly distribution for two consecutive years with outbreaks, its outbreak in the first year was concentrated in late fall and winter, but its outbreak in the following year was earlier than first year. There was peak incidence of age distribution in 4-5 years. It is shown gradually that age distributions per year of outbreak became earlier in age.
CONCLUSION
The occurrences of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in southern central Korea occurred at 3-4 year intervals, 1-2 years in duration, compared to three year intervals, one year in duration, according to reports from metropolitan areas before 1997.