Clinical Profile of Children with Pleural Effusion Admitted In a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Pleural effusion is a problem commonly encountered by chest physicians.

Objective: This study was an attempt to know the clinical presentation in order to avoid delay in diagnosis that may influence treatment and outcome.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of thirty (30) admitted cases with pleural effusion were confirmed by chest radiography and aspiration of pleural fluid from one (1) year to twelve (12) years age of either sex the patientdwere selected purposively, was studied from July 2009 to Feb 2010 in the Department of Pediatrics, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital . All information were recorded in pre tested semi structured questionnaire.

Results: Positivity was higher in male children, (66.7%). Completely immunized were 56.7%. One third of cases were severely malnourished. History of respiratory distress & fever was present in 96.7%, cough in 90%. All cases had diminished chest movement, sub costal recession, and diminished breath sound on the affected side. Lobar consolidation was observed in 33.3% cases, patchy opacities in 53.3% cases. Fluid levels were observed in 76.7% cases. Color of pleural fluid was straw in 56.7%, clear in 30.0%, blood stained in 13.3%.

Conclusion: History and good clinical examination can diagnose pleural effusion.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v4i1.11995

J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2012;4(1):7-9