Childhood pneumonia

The medical records of 100 children (mean age 1.8 years) consecutively admitted to the ward with a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia, are reviewed. All the patients had a full blood work-up and chest x-rays on admission. All patients were commenced and continued on antibiotics - 95 percent interavenously, 55 percent of the total leukocyte counts and 56 percent of the chest x-rays were normal while 91 percent of the blood cultures were sterile. The management of respiratory infections needs review. Blood cultures and chest x-rays are imporant diagnostic tools which should be used judiciously. (AU)