Over the last 25 years rates of empyema have risen more than three-fold in children in Scotland, but the effect is independent of increasing rates of pneumonia, say researchers.
The findings come from a study of paediatric hospital admissions in Scotland for pneumonia, empyema and croup between 1981 and 2005.
This showed that rates of empyema in the under 15s was stable until 1998, when a linear increase began to be seen.
Between 1998 and 2005, the rate of empyema admissions increased from fewer than 10 per million children per year to 37 per million children in 2005.
The problem is even more marked in children aged one to four. Up to 1998, the rate was around 6.5 per million per year, but by 2005 it was as high as 66 per million.
Overall admissions of pneumonia remained unchanged among most age groups. But in those aged one to four a steady increase was seen from 1981. Similar increases in empyema have been reported in England.
Dr Kevin Gruffyd-Jones, Wiltshire GP and member of the General Practice Airways Group, said he has noticed an increase in emphysema among young children in his practice.
‘The reasons for this may be that we’re getting pathogenic organisms or it may be that the pendulum has swung and we’re diagnosing too many as viral and we’re not giving antibiotics.
‘There is a suggestion that we’re overdiagnosing viral causes of pneumonia.’
rachel.liddle@haymarket.com
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The findings come from a study of paediatric hospital admissions in Scotland for pneumonia, empyema and croup between 1981 and 2005.
This showed that rates of empyema in the under 15s was stable until 1998, when a linear increase began to be seen.
Between 1998 and 2005, the rate of empyema admissions increased from fewer than 10 per million children per year to 37 per million children in 2005.
The problem is even more marked in children aged one to four. Up to 1998, the rate was around 6.5 per million per year, but by 2005 it was as high as 66 per million.
Overall admissions of pneumonia remained unchanged among most age groups. But in those aged one to four a steady increase was seen from 1981. Similar increases in empyema have been reported in England.
Dr Kevin Gruffyd-Jones, Wiltshire GP and member of the General Practice Airways Group, said he has noticed an increase in emphysema among young children in his practice.
‘The reasons for this may be that we’re getting pathogenic organisms or it may be that the pendulum has swung and we’re diagnosing too many as viral and we’re not giving antibiotics.
‘There is a suggestion that we’re overdiagnosing viral causes of pneumonia.’
rachel.liddle@haymarket.com
Comment below and tell us what you think
