title: Staphylococcal lower respiratory infection in children.
abstract: A prospective study of staphylococcal lower respiratory infection in 31 children aged 1-48 months has shown that radiologically, patchy consolidation was the single most common lesion, followed by pleural effusion with or without pneumothorax. Although the mean respiratory rate was 65/minute, it was below 50/minute in 8 cases. Complications include heart failure in 9 cases and severe anaemia necessitating blood transfusion in 9 others, seven (78%) of whom had pleural effusion. Finally diagnoses were bronchopneumonia alone in 16 (52%) cases, pyopneumothorax alone in 6 (19%), pyopneumothorax plus pneumonia in 5 (16%), pleural effusion in 2 (6%) cases and one case each of lobar pneumonia alone and a combination of lobar and bronchopneumonia. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the blood in 8 (62%) of 13 children with pleural effusion, indicating a need to consider parenteral antibiotic administration in the initial management of children with staphylococcal pleural effusion. Three (9.7%) patients died; they were all malnourished children who did not receive antibiotics prior to presentation; they all had bronchopneumonia, positive blood cultures and respiratory rates of 60/minute.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics+ and Medical Microbiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: W I
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Aderele
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Osinusi
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rotowa
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents