Etiology and outcomes of pleural effusion in children admitted in national institute of child health.

Objective: To determine the etiology and outcomes of pleural effusions in children. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: June 2022 to October 2023. Methods: A total of 60 admitted children of either gender, aged 1-12 years, and having pleural effusion were analyzed. Relevant laboratory and radiological studies including complete blood count, complete urinalysis, ultrasonography, chest X-ray, sputum for acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear, and gene x-pert were performed. Pleural tap was done and fluid was sent to institutional laboratory for biochemical analysis, microbiological testing, and cytology testing to rule out infections. Results: In a total of 60 children, 34 (56.7%) were male. The mean age was 5.4±3.5 years. Cough and fever were the most reported symptoms among the patients, with 18 (30.0%) having a cough, and 17 (28.3%) having fever. The sputum test was positive in 7 (11.7%) of children. The cause of pleural effusion in 44 (73.3%) of patients was pneumonia, 12 (20.0%) tuberculosis, and 4 (5.7%) had congestive heart failure (CHF). Conclusion: The cause of pleural effusion in the pediatric age group is commonly infection. Taking preventive measures, diagnosing and managing pleural effusion promptly as a multidisciplinary approach can decrease the morbidity and mortality rate.