Finnish guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and pertussis in children

Abstract

Evidence-based guidelines are needed to harmonise and improve the diagnostics and treatment of children's lower respiratory tract infections. Following a professional literature search, an interdisciplinary working group evaluated and graded the available evidence and constructed guidelines for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and pertussis.

Conclusion: The clinical guidelines state that chest radiography is not needed if the child is diagnosed with pneumonia and treated at home. Complications should be considered if there is no improvement after antimicrobial therapy and a paroxysmal cough can indicate pertussis, which is life-threatening in unvaccinated infants and can lead to respiratory failure.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Empyema; Pneumococcal vaccine; Pneumonia; Whooping cough.