Treatment of pneumonia in children (a report of 414 cases in 1945)

ABSTRACT

1. From February 1945 to February 1946, 414 cases of pneumonia were observed in the Childrens Department of the North General Hospital. This number was 300 more than the number of cases treated in the same hospital in 19442. In the series of 414 cases in 1945, the recovery rate was 62.5% and the fatality rate was 1.9% as compared to the recovery rate of 38.0% and fatality rate of 17.7% in 19443. Common childhood diseases like acute respiratory infections and measles are frequent predisposing conditions to pneumonia; and, definitely, infants below one year were found highly susceptible4. Penicillin and sulfadiazine were effective in the treatment of pneumonia; the average amounts given were 432,000 units and 16.6 grams respectively for a period of approximately 5 days. The response in the two groups was almost identical5. Although there were slightly more toxic manifestations with sulfadiazine (3.0%) than with penicillin (1.6%), they were neither permanent nor severe enough to cause alarm or even fear for the former drug6. Under present circumstances, since adequate doses of either drug will produce identical and an equally satisfactory response in moderate and uncomplicated cases, the cost availability, and case of administration make sulfadiazine a satisfactory drug, provided proper precautions are taken. (Conclusion)