Postpneumonic empyema in childhood

Belet N., Uysal S., Bernay F., Curses N.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics, vol.68, no.1, pp.11-14, 2001 (Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 68 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/bf02728849
  • Journal Name: Indian Journal of Pediatrics
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.11-14
  • Keywords: Childhood, Empyema, Sulbactam/ampicillin, Treatment
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Fifty-six patients with postpneumonic empyema were treated by sulbactam/ampicillin or cephalothin and netilmicin. Dose of sulbactam/ampicillin was 200mg/kg per day and of cephalothin was 200mg/kg per day, and of netilmicin was 5mg/kg per day. Sulbactam/ampicillin alone was used in 27 patients. Twenty-nine patients were treated with cephalothin plus netilmicin. Days on intravenous antibiotics, days with chest tube, decortication rate, and duration of hospitalization were significantly shorter in sulbactam/ampicillin treatment group compared to cephalothin plus netilmicin group. This study shows that sulbactam/ampicillin is a safe and effective agent in the treatment of postpneumonic empyema in childhood.