Risk factors for complications of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in hospitalized children in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common respiratory disease in children. Some patients may develop long-term respiratory issues such as chronic cough and wheezing due to complications. These complications increase the health burden for children with MPP, highlighting the need to understand their risk factors in order to improve disease prognosis. This study aims to assess the risk factors for complications in hospitalized children with MPP in China.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of Chinese and English databases was conducted up to April 2024 to retrieve studies focusing on complications in hospitalized children with MPP. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects or fixed-effects models. Statistical analyses were performed using R software and RevMan 5.3.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis encompassed a total of 17 studies. We analyzed multiple risk factors associated with complications, including prolonged fever (OR: 3.79, aOR: 1.64), pleural effusion (OR: 3.71, aOR: 6.70), extensive lung infiltration (OR: 5.52, aOR: 3.57), ≥ 2/3 consolidation in a single lung lobe (OR: 4.29, aOR: 4.52), right upper lung lesion (OR: 4.84, aOR: 3.57), extrapulmonary manifestations (OR: 3.20, aOR: 1.89), hypoxemia (OR: 7.58, aOR: 12.43), delayed administration of glucocorticoids (OR: 7.93, aOR: 6.67), and delayed administration of macrolides (OR: 2.75, aOR: 3.84).

CONCLUSION

Hospitalized children with SMPP and RMPP may have a higher risk of complications, and it is important to identify risk factors early and provide appropriate treatment to minimize complications. The current level of evidence is relatively low and may not accurately reflect the actual clinical situation in China. Further high-quality studies are needed to validate and clarify these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Our protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (registration number: CRD42024534397).