Early Identification of Children at Risk for Complicated Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion: Development of a Prediction Model

Abstract

Parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE) is a frequent complication of pediatric pneumonia. Some cases progress to complicated PPE (cPPE), which is associated with greater morbidity, longer treatment, and a higher likelihood of need for pleural drainage. Early identification of children at risk of progression remains difficult at presentation, and pediatric evidence on early predictors is scarce and inconsistent.