Clinical characteristics of children with complicated community-acquired pneumonia who were admitted at Makati Medical Center from January 1999 to August 2009

ABSTRACT

Pneumonia is a prevalent cause of death in children. This study was undertaken to determine the clinical characteristics, outcomes and bacterial etiology of children with complicated community-acquired pneumonia. Methodology: All patients who were between one month and 18 years old and diagnosed with complicated community-acquired pneumonia at the Makati Medical Center from January 1999 to August 2009 were included. Each case was matched with four controls of uncomplicated pneumonia. Data collected were demographic information, laboratory results, management and outcome. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in the demographic profile, class of antibiotics prior to admission, and underlying conditions between the two groups. Complicated cases presented with fever of longer duration, higher respiratory rates and had more frequent retractions, of longer hospital stay, more frequent changes of antibiotics and a 14.3% mortality rate.