Clinical manifestations in infants and children with <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> infection

<div><p>Background</p><p><i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in older children. Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary symptoms associated with <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> infection are reported. <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> is mainly epidemic in Denmark with the recurrence every 4-7^th year.</p><p>Aims</p><p>Retrospectively, to describe the epidemiology and clinical features, in infants and children, during the <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> epidemic in 2010 and 2011.</p><p>Methods</p><p>All children under the age of 16 that were tested for <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> during the period 01.02.2010–31.01.2012 were included. Medical charts, as well as radiological findings, were reviewed for all children with <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i>. A post-hoc analysis of viral co-infections was done on part of the cohort.</p><p>Results</p><p>134 of 746 children were tested positive for <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> by PCR or serology. Positive tests were found in 65% of children seven years and older, in 30% of 2-6-year-olds and 4% of infants (less than two years of age). Viral co-infection was found in 27% of the tested samples. The clinical presentation was a cough, asthma-like symptoms and low-grade fever. Extra-pulmonary symptoms were common and presented as nausea/vomiting by 33% of the children and skin manifestations by 25%. 84% of the children had a chest x-ray taken, and there were positive radiological findings in 94% of these.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p><i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> also affected infants and young children and symptoms were similar to infections with respiratory viruses, but severe LRTI were also seen. During an up-coming epidemic, assessment of extra-pulmonary manifestations can be helpful when diagnosing <i>M</i>. <i>pneumoniae</i> infections.</p>