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Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children

P Toikka1, R Virkki, J Mertsola

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Finland. pia.toikka@utu.fi

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|October 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children often presents with high fever and high white blood cell counts. Prompt antibiotic treatment leads to rapid recovery, with no deaths reported in this Finnish study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia is a significant childhood illness.
  • Understanding its clinical presentation and treatment response is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical characteristics, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children.
  • To analyze the presentation of symptoms and radiographic findings in affected children.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide retrospective study was conducted in Finland, reviewing medical records of 85 children diagnosed with bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia between 1985 and 1994.
  • Data collected included symptoms, clinical signs, laboratory results, chest radiographs, and response to antibiotic therapy.

Main Results:

  • High fever (>=39.0°C) and leukocytosis (WBC count >=15x10^9/L) were prevalent in 93% and 84% of cases, respectively.
  • Lobar or segmental consolidation on chest radiographs was observed in 79% of patients.
  • Atypical presentations included lack of respiratory symptoms (28%) or only gastrointestinal symptoms (6%).
  • Children became afebrile within an average of 22 hours after initiating antimicrobial treatment.
  • One patient developed pleural empyema; no fatalities occurred.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children typically presents with severe systemic signs like high fever and leukocytosis.
  • Radiographic consolidation is common, but respiratory symptoms may be absent or atypical.
  • Antibiotic therapy is effective, leading to rapid defervescence and favorable outcomes, with low complication rates.

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