Journal of Clinical Pediatrics ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (2): 111-117.doi: 10.12372/jcp.2026.25e1017

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical characteristics and risk factors for plastic bronchitis in children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

NIU Yanhua, DONG Xiaoyan()   

  1. Department of Respiratory, Shanghai Children’s Hospital,School of Medicine, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai 200062, China
  • Received:2025-08-20 Accepted:2025-11-06 Published:2026-02-15 Online:2026-02-02
  • Contact: DONG Xiaoyan E-mail:dongxy@shchildren.com.cn

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for plastic bronchitis (PB) in children with macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MRMPP). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 156 children hospitalized with MRMPP in the Department of Respiratory between October 2023 and January 2024. Based on electronic bronchoscopy findings, patients were divided into a PB group (n=44) and a non-PB group (n=112). Clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups. Continuous variables showing statistical significance in univariate analysis were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine optimal cut-off values, which were then used to convert these variables into categorical variables. Independent risk factors were identified via multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. Results Univariate analysis revealed that the PB group had significantly higher incidences of pleural effusion, severe pneumonia, oxygen therapy support, as well as significantly longer hospitalization duration, older age, longer fever duration, and higher levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and M. pneumoniae DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) compared to the non-PB group (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off values for D-dimer, LDH, and BALF M. pneumoniae DNA to be 1.655 mg/L, 364.5 IU/mL, and 428500 copies/mL, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified D-dimer>1.655 mg/L (OR=14.002, 95% CI: 4.063-48.251), LDH>364.5 IU/mL (OR=6.865, 95% CI: 2.251-20.933), and BALF M. pneumoniae DNA>428500 copies/mL (OR=12.306, 95% CI: 3.586-42.236) as independent risk factors for PB in MRMPP (all P<0.001). Conclusion Elevated levels of D-dimer, LDH, and M. pneumoniae DNA in BALF are independent risk factors for PB in children with MRMPP. Monitoring these indicators is crucial for the early identification of children at risk of developing PB.

Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, macrolide-resistant, plastic bronchitis, child

CLC Number: 

  • R72