Bacterial Pneumonia in Children

Bacterial pneumonia is a common cause of fever, cough and respiratory distress in children. It is an infection of the lungs that can affect children of any age. It can be a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and significant morbidity.

Symptoms

Rapid respiratory rate and difficulty breathing, cough with phlegm and high fever are the most common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia. Occasionally, children will have abdominal pain as an early finding.

Causes

The most common bacteria that cause pneumonia in children include Pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae and Staph aureus. In older children, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Physical Exam findings

Children with pneumonia are in respiratory distress, with rapid breathing and retractions (pulling in of chest muscles to suck in air). They usually need the administration of supplementary oxygen.

Treatment

Children with bacterial pneumonia require antibiotics, usually for about 10 days. Occasionally they need oxygen supplementation and intravenous fluids.

Complications

Bacterial pneumonia can sometimes produce a pleural effusion, a collection of fluid in the lungs. Pleural effusions usually resolve with antibiotic treatment, but occasionally they need to be aspirated.