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Childhood empyema in North-East Scotland over the past 15 years

C S D Roxburgh1, G G Youngson

  • 1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Westburn Road, Aberdeen. campbellroxburgh@doctors.net.uk

Scottish Medical Journal
|December 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric empyema incidence is rising. Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is the most common cause, with no multi-drug resistance observed in North-East Scotland.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Thoracic Surgery

Background:

  • Rising incidence of paediatric empyema in the UK and North America.
  • Reasons for increasing admissions remain unclear.
  • Management often requires tertiary care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on paediatric empyema cases managed in North-East Scotland over 15 years.
  • To analyze patient characteristics, microbiology, and treatment outcomes.
  • To compare local trends with national and international data.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of paediatric empyema patients (<15 years) admitted to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (1990-2006).
  • Data collection from case notes, including patient demographics, clinical presentation, microbiology, and treatment.
  • Analysis of surgical interventions (open vs. thoracoscopic decortication) and hospital stay duration.

Main Results:

  • 28 children admitted (mean age 6.8 years), with 27 presenting respiratory symptoms.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common isolate (12/28), with serotype 1 identified in 3/3 PCR-tested cases.
  • 14/28 patients required surgery (8 open, 6 thoracoscopic decortication), with no observed complications. Mean hospital stay was 11.4 days.

Conclusions:

  • Paediatric empyema trends in North-East Scotland mirror those reported globally.
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is the predominant pathogen.
  • No multi-drug resistance was identified; a surveillance program is established to monitor incidence.
Abstract

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