Survey of Childhood Empyema in Asia
Author Information
Author(s): Nyambat Batmunkh, Kilgore Paul E, Yong Dong Eun, Anh Dang Duc, Chiu Chen-Hsun, Shen Xuzhuang, Jodar Luis, Ng Timothy L, Bock Hans L, Hausdorff William P
Primary Institution: International Vaccine Institute
Hypothesis
What is the burden of culture-negative bacterial disease in childhood empyema across Asia?
Conclusion
The age and gender distribution of empyema and pleural effusion in children in these countries are similar to those in the US and Western Europe.
Supporting Evidence
- 1,379 children diagnosed with empyema or pleural effusion were identified across four countries.
- Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated.
- 29% of specimens were culture positive, indicating a high rate of culture-negative cases.
Takeaway
This study looked at kids in Asia who had a lung infection called empyema. They found that many kids had this problem, but a lot of the tests didn't show what was making them sick.
Methodology
The study surveyed medical records from four large pediatric hospitals in China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, focusing on children under 16 hospitalized with empyema or pleural effusion from 1995 to 2005.
Potential Biases
Variations in coding practices across countries may have affected the classification of cases.
Limitations
Data collection was limited to what was available in hospital databases, and some years had incomplete patient information.
Participant Demographics
Children under 16 years of age from four Asian countries: China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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