A follow-up study of children hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the outcome for children hospitalised with radiologically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) DESIGN: Controlled follow-up study.


METHODS
Community based in Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland schools.


METHODS
103 cases of radiologically confirmed CAP a median of 5.6 years (range 4.4-7.4) after admission to Newcastle General Hospital, matched for sex and school class to a mean of two controls (n = 248).


METHODS
A respiratory questionnaire, clinical examination and spirometry measurements.


METHODS
Multiple regression was used to describe associations between explanatory variables, including CAP, and outcome variables: forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent predicted (FEV(1) %), forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC %), persistent cough, doctor diagnosis of asthma and abnormal chest shape.


RESULTS
Cases were 2.9 times more likely (95% CI 1.45 to 5.71, p = 0.020) than controls to have persistent cough and 5.5 times more likely to have an abnormal chest shape (95% CI 1.65 to 18.28, p = 0.005). Cases of an atopic parent had a 7.0% deficit in FEV(1) % predicted (95% CI -10.5 to -3.2, p<0.001) and a 4.4% deficit in FVC % predicted (95% CI -8.0 to -0.78, p = 0.017), but were not at increased risk of subsequent asthma. Cases of a non-atopic parent were at increased risk of subsequent asthma (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.43 to 16.34, p = 0.011) but not of deficit in lung function.


CONCLUSIONS
CAP requiring admission to hospital is associated with deficits in lung function and persistent respiratory symptoms. This has implications for follow-up for which recommendations are currently lacking. Parental atopy may be a determinant of outcome.
Eastham
K M
KM
School of Clinical Medical Sciences (Child Health), University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Hammal
D M
DM
Parker
L
L
Spencer
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome