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Clinical presentation and management outcomes of pediatric lung abscess: A retrospective cohort study
Lina Alshadfan1, Saleh Abualhaj2,3, Muna Kilani4
1Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Al Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan.
Insights
Pediatric lung abscess in healthy children often presents with fever and cough. Prolonged, escalated antibiotic treatment leads to excellent recovery, with surgery rarely needed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pediatric lung abscess is a rare but serious pneumonia complication.
- Limited data exists on its presentation and management in healthy children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of pediatric lung abscess in Jordan.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective descriptive study of 23 pediatric patients.
- Data included demographics, clinical presentation, labs, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Most patients had fever (91%) and cough (87%); 56.5% had left lung abscesses.
- Antibiotic escalation (piperacillin-tazobactam/aminoglycoside) was common, with a mean duration of 4.8 weeks.
- 91% showed full resolution with conservative management; only one patient needed surgery.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric lung abscess in healthy children has significant symptoms but responds well to prolonged antibiotic therapy.
- Conservative management is effective with excellent outcomes and low surgical rates.
Background:
Pediatric lung abscess is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of pneumonia. Limited data exists on its clinical features, diagnostic workup, and outcomes in otherwise healthy children.
Objective:
To describe the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of children diagnosed and treated for lung abscess in Jordan.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 23 pediatric patients diagnosed with and managed for lung abscess in Jordan. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes.
Results:
The mean age was 7.2 years (SD 3.1), with 60.9% male and no underlying chronic diseases in any patient. Systemic symptoms such as fever (91%) and hypoactivity (91%) were common. Cough was reported in 87% of cases, with varying patterns (dry, wet, or both). Imaging confirmed that 56.5% of abscesses were located in the left lung and 43.5% in the right lung. TB was systematically excluded using PPD and PCR testing. All patients received initial broad-spectrum antibiotics; 87% required escalation to include piperacillin-tazobactam combined with aminoglycoside (either amikacin or gentamicin). The mean duration of antibiotic use was 4.8 weeks. Only one patient (4.3%) underwent surgical intervention, and two patients (8.7%) required ICU care. Follow-up imaging 1-2 weeks after completion of therapy showed full resolution in 91% of cases.
Conclusions:
Pediatric lung abscess in otherwise healthy children presents with significant systemic and respiratory symptoms but responds well to prolonged, escalated antibiotic therapy. Conservative management is effective in the majority of cases, with excellent clinical and radiological outcomes and low surgical intervention rates.
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