Pneumonia diagnostics in neonates

© Borgis - New Medicine 1/2003, s. 26-28

Marlena Banaś, Monika Dominiak, Monika Badowska

Summary
Introduction: Pneumonia seems to be one of the most important problems among neonates. According to the literature, itaffects 1.2% of neonates in the first 72 hours, and 3.8% after this period.
Objectives: The purpose of our research is: 1.Assertion of the frequency of neonate hospitalization due to pneumonia, depending on the day of life, and including premature babies (noting their birth weight); 2.Assessing criteria for diagnosis; 3. Assertion the frequency of coexistence of pneumonia and congenital heart failure; 4. Assess the duration of hospitalization.
Methods: Retrospective research was based on case histories from 01.01.1999. to 10.31.2002. in Clinic of Neonatal Pathology in the Medical School of the University of Warsaw. We examined 102 case histories with a diagnosis of pneumonia.
Results: The frequency of neonate hospitalization due to pneumonia with reference to all neonates hospitalization – 12.75%.
I. The frequency of hospitalizations with pneumonia based on the day of life:

	To 15th day	After 15th day
In general	42,2%	57.8%
% prematures	18.6%	22%
Birth weight of prematures	l/ 3.8%	2/13
> 2501 g	6/8	9/13
< 1500 g	1/8	1/13
< 1000 g	-	1/13

II. The diagnosis of pneumonia was based on:
A. physical examination and radiology.

Only changes on auscultation	25.5%
Radiological changes	12.7%
Radiological changes and changes on auscultation	58.8%
Admitted from another health centre	3%

B. accesory investigations-confirmation of inflamation.

Leukocytosis > 20 thousands	3,9%
CRP > 0.53	38.2%
Positive bacteriological culture: S. Epidermidis Enterobacteriacae S. aureus&Klebsiella Pseudomonas&Acinetobacter	12.9% 9 2 1 2

C. Interviews: typical symptoms of pneumonia – 3.1%.
III. Coexistance of congenital heart defects – 31.4%.
IV. Duration of hospitalization: