British Thoracic Society Paediatric Pneumonia Audit: a review of 3 years of data.

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines for the management of community-acquired pneumonia in children are used as the audit standard for the annual BTS Paediatric Pneumonia Audit. This report examines 3 years of data from this national audit, highlighting trends in clinical practice and the impact of the 2011 revisions to the BTS guidelines. The findings suggest an over-reliance on investigations to diagnose pneumonia and underuse of oral antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin.

Management of community-acquired pneumonia in children.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Viral etiology is most common in young children and decreases with age. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the single most common bacterial cause across all age groups.

Antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia in children: is intravenous delivery necessary?

Evaluation of: Atkinson M, Lakhanpaul M, Smyth A et al. A multicentre randomised controlled equivalence trial comparing oral amoxicillin and intravenous benzyl penicillin for community acquired pneumonia in children PIVOT Trial. Thorax DOI: 10.

How should we manage empyema: antibiotics alone, fibrinolytics, or primary video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)?

Empyema is a well-recognized complication of pneumonia and its prevalence is increasing in the childhood population. The management of these patients requires a strategy for diagnosis and treatment that results in prompt resolution of infection and discharge with minimal morbidity. Traditionally conservative treatment has been the standard with insertion of a chest drain and intravenous antibiotics and, for those who fail to respond, an open thoracotomy and formal decortication.

The burden of pneumonia in children in the developed world.

There are few comprehensive epidemiological studies of pneumonia in the developed world. Ascertainment and definition are important variables in the estimation of pneumonia incidence both in primary care and from hospital data. The available figures suggest a burden of disease in the order of 10-15 cases/1000 children per year and a hospital admission rate of 1-4/1000 per year.

Pleural fluids associated with chest infection.

Pleural effusions are commonly associated with pneumonias and a small number of these progress to empyema. An understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pleural fluid aids the clinician in the management of empyema. There remains much debate about the optimal treatment of empyema in children.