Journal of Clinical Pediatrics ›› 2019, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1): 30-33.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-3606.2019.01.008

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Clinical characteristics of necrotizing pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in children

SHUAI Jinfeng, HUANG Kunling, LIU Jianhua, et al   

  1. Respiratory Department, Children’s Hospital of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050031, Hebei, China
  • Online:2019-01-15 Published:2019-02-01

Abstract:  Objectives To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of necrotizing pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection in children. Method The clinical data of children with necrotizing pneumonia cause by MP infection from October 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 26 children (10 males and 16 females) with an average age of (5.76±2.60) years, were enrolled in the study. All children were characterized by fever and cough. High fever (≥39.0 ℃) was seen in 23 cases (88.5%) and the total duration of fever was (16.88±7.42) days. Pulmonary auscultation showed a reduction in respiratory sounds in all children. The range of peripheral blood leukocytes were (9.0~36.8)×109/L, mean peak neutrophil ratio was (69.2±13.2) %, and the range of C-reactive protein (CRP) was (1~202.5) mg/ L. The mean value of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was (448±247) U/L. At the beginning of the disease, the chest images showed homogeneous solid high-density images over the whole lung lobe and 20 cases (76.9%) were complicated with pleural effusion. At the later stage, lung CT showed thin-walled cavities or multiple air-containing cysts on the basis of lung consolidation. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed lumen obstruction caused by mucus plugs in 23 cases (88.5%). All the children were treated with methylprednisolone. The dose of 2 mg/ (kg·d) was effective in 21 cases and the fever was relieved in 5 cases after the dose was adjusted to 4 mg/ (kg·d), and the average hormone application time was (13.08 ± 8.38) d. The median length of hospital stay was [16.5 (7~32)] d. Two cases were lost to follow-up and 24 cases finished 6-month follow-up. Lung CT showed almost complete recovery of the lungs in 16 cases, residual pleural hypertrophy in 5 cases, and bronchiectasis in 1 case and bronchiolitis obliterans in 2 cases. Conclusion Necrotic pneumonia in children caused by MP infection is characterized by persistent high fever, decreased respiratory sounds, lung consolidation and mucus plugs induced lumen obstruction. The prognosis is relatively good after active anti-infection and hormone therapy.

Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae; necrotizing pneumonia; clinical feature; child