Clinical and imaging features of neonatal chlamydial pneumonia / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical and imaging features of chlamydial pneumonia in newborns.Methods Medical records,chest X-Ray and CT findings of 17 neonates with chlamydia pneumonia were reviewed.The age was ranged from 9.0 to 28.0 days with mean of ( 16.8 ± 5.8 ) days.There were 11males and 6 females.Sixteen were full term infants and one was born post term.All babies were examined with chest X-ray film,and 13 patients also underwent chest CT scan.Serologic test using immunofluorescence method for Chlamydia IgG and IgM antibodies were performed in all patients.Results All newborns presented with cough but without fever.Positive results of the serologic tests were demonstrated.Chest films showed bilateral hyperventilation in 10 patients,diffuse reticular nodules in 10 patients including nodules mimicking military tuberculosis in 7 patients,and accompanying consolidation in 9 patients.CT features included interstitial reticular nodules in 13 patients with size,density,and distribution varied.Subpleurul nodules ( 11patients) and fusion of nodules ( 10 patients ) predominated.Bilateral hyperinflation was found in 10 patients,which combined with infiltration in 12 patients,thickening of bronchovascular bundles in 10 patients,and ground glass sign in 5 patients.No pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy was detected in any patient.Conclusions Bilateral hyperinflation and diffuse interstitial reticular nodules were the most common imaging features of neonatal chlamydial pneumonia.The main clinical characteristic of neonatal chlamydial pneumonia is respiratory symptoms without fever,which is helpful to its diagnosis.