Ensayo controlado y aleatorizado del uso de Heberkinasa® en el derrame pleural paraneumónico en niños / Randomized Controlled Trial of the Use of Heberkinase® in Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion in Children

Introducción: El derrame pleural paraneumónico resulta la complicación más frecuente de la neumonía bacteriana, de manejo complejo y muchas veces quirúrgico. No existen publicaciones en Cuba provenientes de ensayos clínicos controlados y aleatorizados ni del uso de la estreptoquinasa recombinante (Heberkinasa®) en el derrame pleural. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad de la Heberkinasa® en el tratamiento del derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y el empiema en niños. Métodos: Ensayo clínico fase III, abierto, aleatorizado (2:1), en grupos paralelos y controlado. Se concluyó la inclusión prevista de 48 niños (1-18 años de edad), que cumplieron los criterios de selección. Los progenitores otorgaron el consentimiento informado. Los pacientes se distribuyeron en dos grupos: I- experimental: terapia estándar y administración intrapleural diaria de 200 000 UI de Heberkinasa® durante 3-5 días y II-control: tratamiento estándar. Las variables principales: necesidad de cirugía y la estadía hospitalaria. Se evaluaron los eventos adversos. Resultados: Ningún paciente del grupo I-experimental requirió cirugía, a diferencia del grupo II-control en el que 37,5 por ciento necesitó cirugía video-toracoscópica, con diferencia altamente significativa. Se redujo la estadía hospitalaria (en cuatro días), las complicaciones intratorácicas y las infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria en el grupo que recibió Heberkinasa®. No se presentaron eventos adversos graves atribuibles al producto. Conclusiones: La Heberkinasa® en el derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y empiema resultó eficaz y segura para la evacuación del foco séptico, con reducción de la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico, de la estadía hospitalaria y de las complicaciones, sin eventos adversos relacionados con su administración(AU)

Introduction: Paraneumonic pleural effusion is the most frequent complication of bacterial pneumonia, with complex and often surgical management. There are no publications in Cuba from randomized controlled clinical trials or the use of recombinant streptokinase (Heberkinase®) in pleural effusion. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Heberkinase® in the treatment of complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema in children. Methods: Phase III, open-label, randomized (2:1), parallel-group, controlled clinical trial. The planned inclusion of 48 children (1-18 years of age), who met the selection criteria, was completed. Parents gave informed consent. The patients were divided into two groups: I-experimental: standard therapy and daily intrapleural administration of 200,000 IU of Heberkinase® for 3-5 days; and II-control: standard treatment. The main variables: need for surgery and hospital stay. Adverse events were evaluated. Results: No patient in group I-experimental required surgery, unlike group II-control in which 37.5 percent required video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, with a highly significant difference. Hospital stay (to 4 days), intrathoracic complications and infections associated to healthcare in the group that received Heberkinase® was reduced. No serious adverse events attributable to the product occurred. Conclusions: Heberkinase® in complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema was effective and safe for the draining of the septic focus, with reduction of the need for surgical treatment, hospital stay and complications, with no adverse events related to its administration(AU)

Correlación fisiopatológica, diagnóstica y terapéutica en el derrame pleural paraneumónico / Pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic correlation in parapneumonic pleural effusion

Introducción: La inflamación de la pleura desencadenada por bacterias y mediada por citocinas, aumenta la permeabilidad vascular y produce vasodilatación, lo cual genera desequilibrio entre la producción de líquido pleural y su capacidad de reabsorción por eficientes mecanismos fisiológicos. La condición anterior conduce al desarrollo de derrame pleural paraneumónico. Objetivo: Exponer la importancia de la correlación fisiopatológica y diagnóstica con los pilares fundamentales de actuación terapéutica en el derrame pleural paraneumónico. Métodos: Revisión en PubMed y Google Scholar de artículos publicados hasta abril de 2021 que abordaran el derrame pleural paraneumónico, su fisiopatología, elementos diagnósticos, tanto clínicos como resultados del estudio del líquido pleural, pruebas de imágenes, y estrategias terapéuticas. Análisis y síntesis de la información: El progreso de una infección pulmonar y la producción de una invasión de gérmenes al espacio pleural favorece la activación de mecanismos que conllevan al acúmulo de fluido, depósito de fibrina y formación de septos. Este proceso patológico se traduce en manifestaciones clínicas, cambios en los valores citoquímicos y resultados microbiológicos en el líquido pleural, que acompañados de signos radiológicos y ecográficos en el tórax, guían la aplicación oportuna de los pilares de tratamiento del derrame pleural paraneumónico. Conclusiones: Ante un derrame pleural paraneumónico, con tabiques o partículas en suspensión en la ecografía de tórax, hallazgo de fibrina, líquido turbio o pus en el proceder de colocación del drenaje de tórax, resulta necesario iniciar fibrinólisis intrapleural. Cuando el tratamiento con fibrinolíticos intrapleurales falla, la cirugía video-toracoscópica es el procedimiento quirúrgico de elección(AU)

Introduction: The inflammation of the pleura triggered by bacteria and mediated by cytokines, increases vascular permeability and produces vasodilation, which generates imbalance between the production of pleural fluid and its resorption capacity by efficient physiological mechanisms. The above condition leads to the development of parapneumonic pleural effusion. Objective: To expose the importance of the pathophysiological and diagnostic correlation with the fundamental pillars of therapeutic action in parapneumonic pleural effusion. Methods: Review in PubMed and Google Scholar of articles published until April 2021 that addressed parapneumonic pleural effusion, its pathophysiology, diagnostic elements, both clinical and results of the pleural fluid study, imaging tests, and therapeutic strategies. Analysis and synthesis of information: The progress of a lung infection and the production of an invasion of germs into the pleural space favors the activation of mechanisms that lead to the accumulation of fluid, fibrin deposition and formation of septa. This pathological process results in clinical manifestations, changes in cytochemical values and microbiological results in the pleural fluid, which accompanied by radiological and ultrasound signs in the chest, guide the timely application of the pillars of treatment of parapneumonic pleural effusion. Conclusions: In the event of a parapneumonic pleural effusion, with septums or particles in suspension on chest ultrasound, finding fibrin, turbid fluid or pus in the procedure of placement of the chest drain, it is necessary to initiate intrapleural fibrinolytic. When treatment with intrapleural fibrinolytics fails, video-thoracoscopic surgery is the surgical procedure of choice(AU)

Administración intrapleural de estreptoquinasa recombinante en tres niños graves con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado / Intrapleural administration of recombinant streptokinase in three seriously ill children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion

Introducción: El derrame pleural paraneumónico es la enfermedad pleural más frecuente de la infancia, el 40-60 por ciento de los casos se presenta como complicación de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Ante la aparición de líquido pleural viscoso, con fibrina o tabiques, la fibrinólisis intrapleural aporta beneficios en la resolución de esta grave afección. Objetivo: Describir la evolución clínica e imagenológica de tres niños graves con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y empiema. Presentación de casos: Pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Hospital Pediátrico Provincial "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" con el diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad complicada con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo, tratados con estreptoquinasa recombinante por vía intrapleural; la primera paciente presentó crecimiento de Pseudomona en el cultivo de líquido pleural, patógeno no habitual en las infecciones respiratorias agudas procedentes de la comunidad. El segundo caso, se recibió complicada con shock séptico y el tercer paciente con ecografía torácica que mostró derrame pleural multitabicado, con grandes bolsones y gruesos tabiques. Los tres casos evolucionaron satisfactoriamente, sin necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico, ni aparición de reacciones adversas atribuibles al fibrinolítico. Conclusiones: La administración intrapleural de la estreptoquinasa recombinante en niños graves con derrame pleural paraneumónico complicado complejo y empiema, resulta un método eficaz y seguro en la evacuación del foco séptico pleural, lo que favorece el control de la infección, sin aparición de complicaciones. Los casos presentados tuvieron evolución satisfactoria y en ninguno se produjo evento adverso relacionado con la administración de la estreptoquinasa recombinante intrapleural(AU)

Introduction: Parapneumonic pleural effusion is the most common pleural disease in childhood; 40-60 percent of cases occur as a complication of community-acquired pneumonia. Given the onset of viscous pleural fluid, with fibrin or septums, intra-pleural fibrinolysis provides benefits to solve this serious condition. Objective: Describe the clinical and imaging evolution of three seriously ill children with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema. Case presentation: Patients admitted to the Intensive Therapy Unit of "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Provincial Pediatric Hospital with the diagnosis of pneumonia acquired in the community worsen with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion, and treated in the intrapleural way with recombinant streptokinase. The first patient showed growth of Pseudomona in the culture of pleural fluid, a pathogen which is not common in acute respiratory infections from the community. The second case was complicated with septic shock; and the third patient had a chest ultrasound that showed multi-sited pleural effusion, with large bags and thick septums. All three cases evolved satisfactorily, without needing surgical treatment, or having adverse reactions attributable to fibrinolytic ones. Conclusions: Intrapleural administration of recombinant streptokinase in seriously ill children with complex complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema is an effective and safe method in the evacuation of pleural septic focus, which favors infection control, without complications. The cases presented had satisfactory evolution and none of them occurred adversely related to the administration of intrapleural recombinant streptokinase(AU)

Videothoracoscopic surgery before and after chest tube drainage for children with complicated parapneumonic effusion / Cirurgia torácica vídeoassistida antes e depois de drenagem torácica em crianças com derrame parapneumônico complicado

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of videothoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion and to determine whether there is a difference in the videothoracoscopic surgery outcome before or after the chest tube drainage. Methods The medical records of 79 children (mean age 35 months) undergoing videothoracoscopic surgery from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The same treatment algorithm was used in the management of all patients. Patients were divided into two groups: in group 1, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed as the initial procedure; in group 2, videothoracoscopic surgery was performed after previous chest tube drainage. Results Videothoracoscopic surgery was effective in 73 children (92.4%); the other six (7.6%) needed another procedure. Sixty patients (75.9%) were submitted directly to videothoracoscopic surgery (group 1) and 19 (24%) primarily underwent chest tube drainage (group 2). Primary videothoracoscopic surgery was associated with a decrease of hospital stay (p = 0.05), time to resolution (p = 0.024), and time with a chest tube (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference between the groups regarding the time until fever resolution, time with a chest tube, and the hospital stay after videothoracoscopic surgery. No differences were observed between groups regarding the need for further surgery and the presence of complications. Conclusions Videothoracoscopic surgery is a highly effective procedure for treating children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion. When videothoracoscopic surgery is indicated in the presence of loculations (stage II or fibrinopurulent), no difference were observed in time of clinical improvement and hospital stay among the patients with or without chest tube drainage before videothoracoscopic surgery.

Resumo Objetivos Avaliar a eficácia da cirurgia torácica videoassistida no tratamento de derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado e determinar se há diferença no resultado da cirurgia torácica videoassistida realizada antes ou depois da drenagem torácica. Métodos Analisamos retrospectivamente prontuários médicos de 79 crianças (idade média de 35 meses) submetidas a cirurgia torácica videoassistida de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2011. O mesmo algoritmo de tratamento foi utilizado no manejo de todos os pacientes. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: o Grupo 1 foi submetido a cirurgia torácica videoassistida como procedimento inicial; o Grupo 2 foi submetido a cirurgia torácica videoassistida após drenagem torácica prévia. Resultados A cirurgia torácica videoassistida foi eficaz em 73 crianças (92,4%); as outras seis (7,6%) necessitaram outro procedimento. Sessenta pacientes (75,9%) foram diretamente submetidos a cirurgia torácica videoassistida (Grupo 1) e 19 (24%) foram primeiramente submetidos a drenagem torácica (Grupo 2). A cirurgia torácica videoassistida primária foi associada à redução do tempo de internação (p = 0,05), do tempo para resolução (p = 0,024) e do tempo com o tubo torácico (p < 0,001). Contudo, não houve diferença entre os grupos a respeito do tempo até que não tivessem mais febre, do tempo com o tubo torácico e do tempo de internação após a cirurgia torácica videoassistida. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos com relação à necessidade de cirurgia adicional e à presença de complicações. Conclusões A cirurgia torácica videoassistida é um procedimento altamente eficaz para tratar crianças com derrame pleural parapneumônico complicado. Quando a cirurgia torácica vídeoassistida é indicada na presença de loculações (fase II ou fibrinopurulenta) não há diferença no tempo de melhora clínica e no tempo de internação entre os pacientes com ou sem drenagem torácica antes da cirurgia torácica videoassistida.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion in Patients with Community Acquired Pneumonia in the Emergency Department / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for parapneumonic plettral effusion (PPE) in patients with community acquired pnetrmonia (CAP) in the emergency department.Methods A total of 276 patients with CAP were enrolled.Based on the presence of PPE,they were divided into a PPE group and a non-PPE (NPPE) group.Age,gender,vital signs,initial laboratory results,length of stay,28-day mortality,and CURB-65 score were collected.A univariate analysis was performed,and logistic regression analysis was used to determine statistical significance.Results There were 46 patients in the PPE group and 230 in the NPPE group.The univariate analysis indicated that differences in age,gender,white blood cell count,platelet count,and serum alanine aminotransferase were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05) between the two groups.The differences in hyponatremia,hypoproteinemia,serum procalcitonin levels,and CURB-65 scores were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).The logistic regression analysis revealed that hyponatremia,hypoproteinemia,and serum procalcitonin level were independent risk factors.The patients in the PPE group were more likely to be admitted (22.1％ vs 7.5％,P ＜ 0.05) and had longer hospital stays (median 16 days vs 5 days,P ＜ 0.05) than those in the NPPE group.However,there was no difference in 28-day mortality between PPE and NPPE groups (8.6％ vs 8.3％,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion CAP patients with PPE in the emergency department were more likely to be admitted and had longer hospital stays,Hyponatremia,hypoproteinemia,and serum procalcitonin were independent risk factors for pleural effusion.Therefore,to decrease morbidity,as well as economic burden,we should pay more attention and provide earlier treatment to patients with PPE.

Pleural effusion adenosine deaminase: a candidate biomarker to discriminate between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural space

OBJECTIVES: Delay in the treatment of pleural infection may contribute to its high mortality. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural adenosine deaminase in discrimination between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural space prior to selecting antibiotics. METHODS: A total of 76 patients were enrolled and grouped into subgroups according to Gram staining: 1) patients with Gram-negative bacterial infections, aged 53.2±18.6 years old, of whom 44.7% had empyemas and 2) patients with Gram-positive bacterial infections, aged 53.5±21.5 years old, of whom 63.1% had empyemas. The pleural effusion was sampled by thoracocentesis and then sent for adenosine deaminase testing, biochemical testing and microbiological culture. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the differences in adenosine deaminase levels between the groups. Correlations between adenosine deaminase and specified variables were also quantified using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Moreover, receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pleural effusion adenosine deaminase. RESULTS: Mean pleural adenosine deaminase levels differed significantly between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural space (191.8±32.1 U/L vs 81.0±16.9 U/L, p<0.01). The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.689 (95% confidence interval: 0.570, 0.792, p<0.01) at the cutoff value of 86 U/L. Additionally, pleural adenosine deaminase had a sensitivity of 63.2% (46.0-78.2%); a specificity of 73.7% (56.9-86.6%); positive and negative likelihood ratios of 2.18 and 0.50, respectively; and positive and negative predictive values of 70.6% and 66.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural effusion adenosine deaminase is a helpful alternative biomarker for early and quick discrimination of Gram-negative from Gram-positive bacterial infections of the pleural space, which is useful for the selection of antibiotics.

Comparison of simple drainage or drainage combined with urokinase for parapneumonic pleural effusion in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To compare the effectiveness,safety and related clinical indicators between simple drainage treatment and drainage treatment combined with intrathoracic urokinase for children with parapneumonic pleural effusion(PPE).Methods Twenty-nine in patients with PPE given pleural effusion drainage in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2013 to December 2015 were selected as research subjects,who were divided into a simple group and an urokinase group based on whether intrathoracic urokinase was injected or not.The total number of hospital stay,the total drainage volume,the total number of catheter days,the total cost,the days with fever,efficient rate,operation rate and security of the patients were retrospectively analyzed between two groups.Results The intrathoracic days of hospital stay [M(P25,P75)] of urokinase group[19(11,30) days]were less than those of simple group[30(21,38) days],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.545,P =0.011);the total drainage volume[M(P25,P75)] of the urokinase group [430 (175,1 308) mL] was more than that of the simple group [110 (10,325)mL],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.811,P =0.005);the total number of catheter days [M (P25,P75)] of urokinase group [9 (7,19) days] was less than that of the simple group [20 (10,30) days],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.020,P =0.043);the total cost [M(P25,P75)] of the urokinase group [20 000(10 000,30 000)RMB] was less than that of the simple group [40 000 (30 000,50 000) RMB],and the difference was significant (Z =-2.631,P =0.009);the days with fever between urokinase group and the simple group was not significant (Z =-0.820,P =0.412).The urokinase group had a higher cure rate[76.9％ (10/13 cases)] and a lower surgical rate [23.1％ (3/13 cases)] compared with those of the simple group[18.7％ (3/16 cases),81.3％ (3/16 cases)],and the difference was significant (x2 =9.814,P =0.003).Conclusions Intrapleural urokinase therapy as an adjuvant treatment of PPE is simple and convenient,economic,higher efficiency,lower risk,which can be used as an effective clinical solution such disease.

Relevant factors for developing loculation after parapneumonic pleural effusion in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To identify the relevant factors for the loculation clinically in children with parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE).Methods The clinical data of 172 children with PPE were retrospectively reviewed from January 2012 to March 2015 in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province.Based on the findings of chest ultrasound, the subjects were divided into 2 groups, the loculation group (78 cases) and the control group (94 cases).The comparison was made between the 2 groups in gender, age, course of disease and fever before admitting into hospital, the location of the effusion, white blood cells (WBC) and the percentage of neutrophils (N), blood platelet (PLT) ,lactate dehydrogenase (LDH),C-reactive protein (CRP), mycoplasma (MP), the routine and biochemical examination of pleural fluid, including white cell count (WBCp), the percentage of polymorphonuclear cell (PMN), lactate dehydrogenase (LDHp) ,glucose (GLU) ,adenosine deaminase (ADA) ,lactic acid (LAC) and C-reactive protein (CRPp).If the result of single factor regression showed P ＜ 0.01, the indicators were analyzed by the multifactor Logistic regression.The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the prediction ability of Logistic regression models.Results (1) The result of single factor regression indicated that the risk factors included age, WBC, PLT, LDH, MP, WBCp, PMN, GLU and LAC (all P ＜ 0.05).(2) The result of multifactor Logistic regression showed that the factors included PLT (OR =3.437,P =0.007), LDH (OR =0.306, P =0.006), GLU (OR =0.324, P =0.037), MP (OR =0.375 ,P =0.022) and LAC (OR =3.656, P =0.003).(3) The area under the ROC curve was 0.876, P =0.000,which indicated that the regression models had over medium diagnostic accuracy.Conclusions When PLT ＞ 434.5 × 109/L,LDH ＜400 U/L,non MP infection,GLU ＜6.11 mmol/L and LAC ＞3.83 mmol/L,it may indicate that the formation of loculation for the PPE children.

Características clínicas y laboratoriales del derrame pleural paraneumónico y empiema en niños de 1-14 años en el Servicio de Pediatría del Hospital Carrión año 2007 - 2013 / Clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema in children aged 1-14 years in the Pediatrics Service at the Hospital Carrion year 2007 - 2013

Describir las características clínicas y laboratoriales del derrame pleural paraneumónico y del empiema en niños de 1 a 14 años hospitalizados en el Servicio de Pediatría del HNDAC de Enero 2007-Diciembre 2013. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal, en pacientes desde 1 mes de edad hasta 14 años con 11 meses y 29 días, que ingresaron al Servicio de Hospitalización de Pediatría del HNDAC con diagnóstico de derrame pleural paraneumónico y/o empiema, desde el 01 de Enero del 2007 hasta el 31 de Diciembre del 2013. Resultados: En los 7 años de estudio hubo 32 casos (74.4 por ciento del total) de derrame pleural paraneumónico y 11 (25.6 por ciento) de empiema, haciendo una prevalencia de 1.1 por ciento y 0.4 por ciento respectivamente. El compromiso en el empiema fue a predominio izquierdo, y derecho en el derrame. Todos los casos tuvieron más de 4 días de evolución, el rango de fiebre se encontró entre 39 y 40 grados C. Hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el promedio de días de hospitalización, a favor del empiema, asimismo el valor promedio de leucocitos, abastonados y PCR, fue significativamente superior en éstos. En ambos grupos el mayor porcentaje de pacientes presentó leucocitos entre 15000 y 25000, y la mayoría de pacientes presentó PCR superior o igual a 15. El cultivo de líquido pleural resultó positivo en el 50 por ciento de los casos de empiema. El Streptococcus pneumoniae fue el germen aislado con mayor frecuencia. En el empiema el grupo etario de 1 a 2 años fue el más común, mientras que en el derrame pleural paraneumónico lo fue el grupo de 5 a 14 años. Conclusiones: La prevalencia del derrame pleural paraneumónico en niños con diagnóstico de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad fue 1.1 por ciento, mientras que en el empiema, 0.4 por ciento. En el empiema fue más común el compromiso izquierdo, y en el derrame el derecho. Todos los casos tuvieron 5 a más días de tiempo de enfermedad, y presentaron...

To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic pleural and empyema in children aged 1-14 years hospitalized at the HNDAC Department of Pediatrics from January 2007-December 2013. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study in patients from 1 month of age to 14 years and 11 months and 29 days, admitted to HNDAC Hospitalization Department of Pediatrics diagnosed with parapneumonic pleural effusion and/or empyema, from January 1st 2007 until December 31st 2013. Results: In the seven years of study there were 32 cases (74.4 per cent of total) of parapneumonic pleural effusion, and 11 (25.6 per cent) of empyema, with a prevalence of 1.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent respectively. The location of the empyema was on the left side, and in the effusion was on the right side. All cases had more than 4 days of evolution, fever range was between 39 and 40 degrees C. There was statistically significant difference in the average of number of days of hospitalization for the empyema, also the average value of leukocytes, banded neutrophils and CRP was significantly higher in these. In both groups the highest percentage of patients had leukocytes between 15000 and 25000, and most of the patients had CRP value higher or equal than 15. CRP pleural fluid culture was positive in 50 per cent of cases of empyema. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated germ. The age group of 1-2 years was the most common in empyema, while in the parapneumonic pleural effusion was the group of 5-14 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of in children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia was 1.1 per cent, while in empyema, 0.4 per cent. In empyema was more common the left side, and the right side in parapneumonic pleural effusion. All cases had 5 or more days of sickness, and had fever (39.2 degrees C average in empyema, and 39.1 degrees C in parapneumonic pleural effusion), being the range of 39-40 degrees C...