Risk factors for complicated community-acquired pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children continues to be one of the prominent causes of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. By determining the risk factors associated with the development of complicated CAP (CCAP), new approaches for early diagnosis and effective treatment can be identified. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients with CAP and CCAP who visited the pediatric ward of the study hospital between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. For patients with CCAP, data regarding medical procedures performed, surgical intervention, and hospitalization duration were collected. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients, 93 (83.7%) with CAP and 18 (16.3%) with CCAP, aged between 3 months and 18 years were hospitalized because of severe pneumonia. The mean age of the patients was 3.6 ± 1.2 years and 60 (54%) of them were female. The mean age of patients with CCAP was higher than that of patients with CAP (4.2 ± 3.3 vs. 2.8 ± 2.1 years respectively); however, the difference was not significant (p = 0.012). Patients with CCAP exhibited a significantly higher C-reactive protein level than those with CAP (10.06 ± 7.55 vs. 4.43 ± 3.37 g/L respectively; p = 0.007). Hypoxia upon admission was noted more commonly in the CCAP group than in the CAP group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Findings related to hypoxia, respiratory distress, and pleural effusion on imaging are important distinguishing factors associated with the development of complications in patients hospitalized with CAP. Therefore, CCAP etiology, diagnosis, and treatment approaches should be established and protective measures adopted.

Automated complete blood counter, urine analyzer and urine dipstick test results are correlated with thoma cell counting chamber counts in the diagnosis of dialysis related peritonitis in children.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal dialysis is the treatment of choice for end-stage renal disease. Peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis is of great importance for patient and technical survival. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy and the correlation between the three methods (complete blood count, urinalysis device, urine dipstick test) and with the reference manual method (Thoma Cell Counter Chamber). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 167 peritoneal fluid samples taken from 25 patients receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment. Leukocyte counts were evaluated with Thoma Cell Counter Chamber, complete blood count, urinalysis device and urine dipstick test. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between Thoma Cell Counter Chamber and complete blood count results (Spearman's rho=0.70), between Thoma Cell Counter Chamber and urinalysis device (Spearman's rho=0.73), and between Thoma Cell Counter Chamber and urine dipstick test (Spearman's rho=0.71). Area under curve for complete blood count, urinalysis device and urine dipstick test were 0.93, 0.94 and 0.89 respectively, indicating good accuracy. Sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 86.7% in the complete blood count analysis (associated criterion: 130 cells/mm3). Sensitivity and specificity were 89.7% and 86.7% in the urinalysis device (associated criterion: 10 cells/HPF). Sensitivity and specificity were 79.6% and 91.4% when in the urine dipstick test analysis (associated criterion: +1 positivity). The Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement. CONCLUSION: Automatic complete blood count and urinalysis devices have good correlation and agreement with manual method in the diagnosis of peritonitis in the pediatric age group. Urine dipstick test in the home setting can be useful for screening patients with suspected peritonitis.