Value of the leukogram in guiding the etiologic diagnosis and clinical course of children hospitalized for pneumonia

Abstract

Introduction: pneumonia is the first cause of infant mortality in the world and causes the death of two million children every year. Objective: to determine the predictive value of the leukogram in guiding the diagnosis and clinical course in children hospitalized for pneumonia. Methods: the study was conducted from June 2018 to June 2020 in children aged 1 to 18 years in the Consolación del Sur Municipality. It was descriptive and retrospective. The universe was constituted by the total number of patients admitted to the Pediatrics service with a diagnosis of acute respiratory infection during the years 2018 to 2020 and the sample was formed by those with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Results: male sex and age of 5-9 years predominated. The most frequent signs and symptoms were cough, fever, rales and anorexia. In the leukogram, leukocytosis and lymphocytosis were predominant. The diagnostic criteria with the highest positivity in the clinical prediction scale used were age older than nine months, lesions in multiple sites, perihilar, poorly defined with peribronchial interstitial infiltrate in the chest X-ray and leukocytosis and lymphocytosis among the laboratory criteria. Conclusions: the correct interpretation of the leukogram and a clear vision of its importance for the diagnostic process are key elements that guarantee a level of health care with the required quality to achieve an adequate care work.