Bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in children

We carried out a nationwide retrospective study on bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia diagnosed from 1985 to 1994 in Finland. The records of 85 childre n were reviewed for symptoms, signs, laboratory data, and response to antib iotic therapy. The chest radiographs were reevaluated. Bacteremic pneumococ cal pneumonia was characterized by high fever (greater than or equal to 39. 0 degrees C in 93%), leukocytosis (WBC count on admission of greater than o r equal to 15 x 10(9)/L in 84%), and hi appearance (in 79%). Lobar or segme ntal consolidation was found in 79% of the chest radiographs. Of the patien ts, 28% had no respiratory symptoms, 6% presented with only gastrointestina l symptoms in addition to fever, and 4% had fever only. Tachypnea was recor ded in 19% and rales in 14% of the patients. After onset of antimicrobial t reatment, children became afebrile within an average of 22 hours. One patie nt developed pleural empyema, and none of the patients died.