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European Journal of Pediatrics Mar 2024Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease in children, and its aetiological and clinical diagnosis are challenging for physicians in both private practice... (Review)
Review
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease in children, and its aetiological and clinical diagnosis are challenging for physicians in both private practice and hospitals. Over the past three decades, conjugate vaccines have successfully reduced the burden of the former main causes of CAP, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Today, viruses are by far the most commonly detected pathogens in children with CAP. Conclusion: New insights into the aetiology and treatment of CAP in children in recent years have influenced management and are the focus of this review. In addition to reducing diagnostic uncertainty, there is an urgent need to reduce antibiotic overuse and antimicrobial resistance in children with CAP. What is Known: • Conjugate vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b have shifted the epidemiology of childhood CAP to predominantly viral pathogens and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. • Clinical, laboratory, and radiological criteria cannot reliably distinguish between bacterial and viral aetiology in children with CAP. What is New: • Test results and epidemiological data must be carefully interpreted, as no single diagnostic method applied to non-pulmonary specimens has both high sensitivity and high specificity for determining pneumonia aetiology in childhood CAP. • This review provides a simple and pragmatic management algorithm for children with CAP to aid physicians in providing optimal and safe care and reducing antibiotic prescribing.
Topics: Child; Humans; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Bacteria; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Vaccines; Community-Acquired Infections
PubMed: 38112800
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05366-6 -
Indian Journal of Pediatrics Jul 2023Childhood pneumonia is still a significant clinical and public health problem. India contributes the highest number of deaths due to pneumonia, accounts for about 20% of... (Review)
Review
Childhood pneumonia is still a significant clinical and public health problem. India contributes the highest number of deaths due to pneumonia, accounts for about 20% of global mortality among under five children. Various etiologic agents including bacteria, viruses and atypical organism are responsible for childhood pneumonia. Recent studies suggest that viruses are one of the major causes of childhood pneumonia. Among viruses, respiratory syncytial virus has got great attention and several recent studies are reporting it as an important organism for pneumonia. Lack of exclusive breast feeding during first six months, improper timing of start and content of complimentary feeding, anemia, undernutrition, indoor pollution due to tobacco smoking and use of coal and wood for cooking food and lack of vaccinations are important risk factors. X-ray chest is not routinely performed to diagnose pneumonia while use of lung ultrasound is increasing to detect consolidation, pleural effusion, pneumothorax and pulmonary edema (interstitial syndrome). Role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin is similar, to differentiate between viral and bacterial pneumonia, however duration of antibiotics is better guided by procalcitonin. Newer biomarkers like IL-6, presepsin and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 are needed to be evaluated for their use in children. Hypoxia is significantly associated with childhood pneumonia. Therefore, use of pulse oximetry should be encouraged for early detection and prompt treatment of hypoxia to prevent adverse outcomes. Among the available tools for risk of mortality assessment in children due to pneumonia, PREPARE score is the best but external validation will be needed.
Topics: Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Procalcitonin; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Lung; C-Reactive Protein; Hypoxia; Peptide Fragments; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
PubMed: 37204597
DOI: 10.1007/s12098-023-04628-3 -
Journal of General Internal Medicine Aug 2023International guidelines provide heterogenous guidance on use of corticosteroids for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
International guidelines provide heterogenous guidance on use of corticosteroids for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining corticosteroids in hospitalized adult patients with suspected or probable CAP. We performed a pairwise and dose-response meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) heterogeneity estimator. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE methodology and the credibility of subgroups using the ICEMAN tool.
RESULTS
We identified 18 eligible studies that included 4661 patients. Corticosteroids probably reduce mortality in more severe CAP (RR 0.62 [95% CI 0.45 to 0.85]; moderate certainty) with possibly no effect in less severe CAP (RR 1.08 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.42]; low certainty). We found a non-linear dose-response relationship between corticosteroids and mortality, suggesting an optimal dose of approximately 6 mg of dexamethasone (or equivalent) for a duration of therapy of 7 days (RR 0.44 [95% 0.30 to 0.66]). Corticosteroids probably reduce the risk of requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (RR 0.56 [95% CI 0.42 to 74] and probably reduce intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR 0.65 [95% CI 0.43 to 0.97]) (both moderate certainty). Corticosteroids may reduce the duration of hospitalization and ICU stay (both low certainty). Corticosteroids may increase the risk of hyperglycemia (RR 1.76 [95% CI 1.46 to 2.14]) (low certainty).
CONCLUSION
Moderate certainty evidence indicates that corticosteroids reduce mortality in patients with more severe CAP, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Hospitalization; Respiration, Artificial; Intensive Care Units; Pneumonia, Bacterial
PubMed: 37076606
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-023-08203-6 -
The Lancet. Microbe Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 37393927
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00182-9