Clinical characteristics and associated factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with atelectasis in children

Purpose: Patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) can develop atelectasis, and some cases of atelectasis may persist for over 4 weeks. However, the risk factors for the development and persistence of atelectasis (>4 weeks) in children with MPP and their clinical characteristics remain understudied. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and associated factors of MPP with atelectasis in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 477 children with MPP treated at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from November 2014 to March 2020. Demographics, clinical information, laboratory data, and radiological findings were collected from all patients. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of atelectasis with MPP. The group with atelectasis was further divided into 2 groups according to whether atelectasis was improved. Results: Among 477 children with MPP, 105 developed atelectasis, and 34 showed persistent atelectasis. Children with atelectasis had longer lengths of hospitalization than children without atelectasis. High lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and whole lobar consolidation were independently associated factors for presenting with atelectasis, and long macrolide therapy duration before admission (>3 days) was related to persistent atelectasis (>4 weeks). Conclusion: High LDH levels and whole lobar consolidation were independent associated factors for presenting with atelectasis, and a long macrolide therapy duration before admission was associated with persistent atelectasis. Careful observation and management of children with these associated factors for atelectasis will improve the prognosis of children with MPP.