The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
2009 , Vol 51 , Num 3
Pediatric pleural effusions: etiological evaluation in 492 patients over 29 years
Divisions of Chest Diseases1,Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey2,
Pediatric pleural effusions present a changing profile over time, both in terms
of etiological subgroups and causative microorganisms in parapneumonic
effusions. This retrospective study aimed to review pediatric pleural effusions
in a large cohort over a 29-year period, with special emphasis on the etiological
subgroups and microbiological causes of parapneumonic effusions. The medical
records of 492 pediatric patients were reviewed for a comparison of subgroups
of pleural effusions and microbiological causes of parapneumonic effusions
between three decades. Parapneumonic effusions (381 patients) made up 77.4%
of the group. Tuberculous pleurisy decreased, but malignant effusions doubled
in number over time. A causative microorganism was identified in 34.6%
overall, with Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae being the two
most common. Relative frequency of S. aureus decreased, whereas pneumococci
and Haemophilus influenzae were more frequent in recent years.
Keywords :
pediatric pleural effusion, parapneumonic, tuberculous, malignant effusion, empyema.