Caracterización epidemiológica, clínica y paraclínica de niños con derrame paraneumónico y empiema pleural en Bogotá en 2018

Abstract

Background: Two of the most frequent complications of bacterial pneumonia are parapneumonic pleural effusion and pleural empyema, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. The purpose of the present study was to describe a complete clinical and epidemiological characterization of patients with this entity in order to have a positive impact on the management of the disease at the institution. Methods: A descriptive study was performed. All clinical records of patients with pulmonary infection hospitalized in a reference center of high level of complexity were reviewed and the clinical, paraclinical and epidemiological characteristics of the population were determined. The analysis is presented in descriptive terms. Results: Of a total of 2139 patients, 50 patients had a pleural effusion and 6 patients had empyema confirmed. Only one patient died. The association between recurrent wheezing/asthma and worse clinical course of entity, showed a significant difference (p < 0.000), similar to the presence of leukocytosis at admission (p < 0.01). Discussion: Parapneumonic pleural effusion and empyema is still a clinical challenge in pediatric context. Continuous surveillance is mandatory to establish changes in the behavior of this disease. Our findings suggest the importance of further prospective research.