From the Guidelines
Yes, children can contract atypical pneumonia (walking pneumonia).
Causes of Atypical Pneumonia in Children
Atypical pneumonia in children is often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae 1, which is characterized by slow progression, malaise, sore throat, low-grade fever, and cough developing over 3–5 days.
- Other causes of atypical pneumonia in children include Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella species, although the latter is rare in children 1.
Age-Related Risk
- School-aged children and young adolescents are more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia, including atypical pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae 1.
- The proportion of pneumonia associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection increases with age, with the greatest burden in children aged >3 years 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- The diagnosis of atypical pneumonia in children is often based on clinical presentation and laboratory tests, such as nucleic acid detection and serologic testing 1.
- Treatment of atypical pneumonia in children typically involves antibiotic therapy, such as macrolides or fluoroquinolones, although the choice of antibiotic may depend on the specific causative organism and the child's age and clinical status 1.
From the Research
Atypical Pneumonia in Children
- Atypical pneumonia, also known as walking pneumonia, can be caused by various organisms, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae 2.
- These organisms are responsible for a significant proportion of atypical pneumonia cases in children, with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae together accounting for over 40% of these infections 2.
- The diagnosis of atypical pneumonia in children can be challenging, as the symptoms are often non-specific and the diagnostic methods used to detect these organisms are not always available in hospital microbiology laboratories 2.
- Epidemiologic factors, such as exposure to certain animals or underlying medical conditions, can provide valuable clues in diagnosing atypical pneumonia in children 2.
Prevalence of Atypical Pneumonia in Children
- Atypical bacteria, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, are detected in 7%-17% of children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) 3.
- Viral and atypical pneumonias account for a significant proportion of pneumonia cases in children, with viral or Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection detected in 17% to 31% of outpatient pneumonias studied 4.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are common causes of pneumonia in older children, while viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus, are responsible for approximately 20% of cases 5.
Treatment and Management
- The treatment of atypical pneumonia in children often involves the use of macrolide antibiotics, which are effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae 2.
- The management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children should be based on recent epidemiological, etiological, and microbiological evidence, and should involve a stepwise approach to antimicrobial therapy 3.