Clinical analysis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in 79 infants and young children

Objective To investigate clinical manifestations and radiological findings and prognosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)in younger children.Methods Clinical manifestations,radiographic fin-dings,laboratory examinations,treatment effect,and sequelae of 79 children under 3 years old with MPP were analyzed.Results MPP was seen more in young children older than 1 year old.The common clinical manifestations were cough,fever and wheezing.Some patients developed shortness of breath or dyspnea.Scattered rales and expiratory wheezes were heard on chest auscultation.Most cases had at least one extrapulmonary lesion and cardiovascular complications were the most common.Unilateral disease was as common as bilateral.The radiographic findings were predominant with patchy infiltration and consolidation with right middle and lower lung zone.Serum MP-IgM was positive in all patients after 10 days.WBC and CRP were in the normal range in most patients.More than 50% of cases showed decreased CD4+ cells.IgE level increased in 73% of patients.Bacteria,fungi,and virus co-infection were observed in some patients.Half of the cases showed small airways obstruction.About 19% of patients developed severe or refractory MMP.The sequence of bronchiectasis,local bronchiolitis obliterans,bronchitis obliterans and asthma were found in these patients.Most cases stop wheezing after discharge from hospital.Conclusions Children younger than 3 years old might develop severe or refractory MMP.Bronchiectasis,local bronchitis obliterans and focal bronchiectasis could occur.