Pediatric pleural effusions: etiological evaluation in 492 patients over 29 years

ÜTİNE G. E., Ozcelik U., Kiper N., DOĞRU ERSÖZ D., Yalcin E., Cobanoglu N., ...More

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, vol.51, no.3, pp.214-219, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 51 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.214-219
  • Keywords: pediatric pleural effusion, parapneumonic, tuberculous, malignant effusion, empyema, PARAPNEUMONIC EFFUSIONS, CHILDREN, EMPYEMA, MANAGEMENT, DIAGNOSIS
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

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.