Abstract ▼ AI-Helper

Purpose : M. pneumoniae pneumonia(MP) has been reported in 10-40% of community-acquired pneumonia cases. The age prevalence, the chest x-ray findings and seasonal incidence are changing nowadays. So we aimed to know the age distribution and chest x-ray patterns of the MP patients. And also we aimed ...

Purpose : M. pneumoniae pneumonia(MP) has been reported in 10-40% of community-acquired pneumonia cases. The age prevalence, the chest x-ray findings and seasonal incidence are changing nowadays. So we aimed to know the age distribution and chest x-ray patterns of the MP patients. And also we aimed to evaluate the differences of clinical features and laboratory findings according to their age and chest radiographic patterns. Methods : A total of 124 children with MP were enrolled from November 2009 to October 2010. The diagnosis of MP was made by emzyme immunoassay(Mycoplasma IgM antibody≥770U/㎖) at admission. We compared clinical symptoms and laboratory findings according to age and chest x-ray pattern. The patients were divided into 3 age groups and 2 pneumonia patterns, bronchopneumonia and segmental/lobar pneumonia. Results : The age distribution was as follows: ≤2 years of age(36 patients), 3-5 years of age(45 patients), and ≥6 years of age(43 patients). There were 119 cases of broncho-pneumonia and 5 cases of segmental/lobar pneumonia. Monthly distribution showed the highest frequency in November and the lowest frequency in August. The most common symptoms were cough(95.9%) and fever(83%). Extra-pulmonary symptoms were skin rash, abdominal pain, headache, general weakness and sore throat. In 42.2% of patients, Mycoplasma IgG antibody by indirect agglutinin test was negative at admission. Among the three age groups, the oldest children showed the longest duration of fever. Other clinical and laboratory findings were not different according to age or chest x-ray patterns. Conclusion : Mycoplasma pneumonia is more common from 3 years of age. Chest x-ray findings can mimic other bacterial pneumonia as segmental/lobar pattern. During winter time the highest peak was noted. It is necessary to check Mycoplasma IgM antibody again when it is negative at admission.

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