Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41886424›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Clinical presentation and management outcomes of pediatric lung abscess: A retrospective cohort study.

Lina Alshadfan, Saleh Abualhaj, Muna Kilani, Hisham Hamdan, Diana AlSaify, Samia Saber Abu Taleb, Mohammed K Al-Raqad

Abstract read
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Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Frontiers in medicine · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Lina AlshadfanPediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Al Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4832-5149
Saleh AbualhajGeneral Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3243-9007
Muna KilaniPediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Hisham HamdanPediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Al Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan.
Diana AlSaifyPrince Hamzah Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Samia Saber Abu TalebDepartment of pediatrics, Jordanian Ministry of Health, Al Salt Hospital, As-Salt, Jordan.
Mohammed K Al-RaqadINNOVIA Genetic Health Center, INNOVIA Biobank, Amman, Jordan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4309-2661

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPediatric lung abscess is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of pneumonia. Limited data exists on its clinical features, diagnostic workup, and outcomes in otherwise healthy children.

objectiveTo describe the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of children diagnosed and treated for lung abscess in Jordan.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 23 pediatric patients diagnosed with and managed for lung abscess in Jordan. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes.

resultsThe mean age was 7.2 years (SD 3.1), with 60.9% male and no underlying chronic diseases in any patient. Systemic symptoms such as fever (91%) and hypoactivity (91%) were common. Cough was reported in 87% of cases, with varying patterns (dry, wet, or both). Imaging confirmed that 56.5% of abscesses were located in the left lung and 43.5% in the right lung. TB was systematically excluded using PPD and PCR testing. All patients received initial broad-spectrum antibiotics; 87% required escalation to include piperacillin-tazobactam combined with aminoglycoside (either amikacin or gentamicin). The mean duration of antibiotic use was 4.8 weeks. Only one patient (4.3%) underwent surgical intervention, and two patients (8.7%) required ICU care. Follow-up imaging 1-2 weeks after completion of therapy showed full resolution in 91% of cases.

conclusionsPediatric lung abscess in otherwise healthy children presents with significant systemic and respiratory symptoms but responds well to prolonged, escalated antibiotic therapy. Conservative management is effective in the majority of cases, with excellent clinical and radiological outcomes and low surgical intervention rates.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsLung AbscessAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantJordanMaleRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeAnti-Bacterial Agents

Identifiers

PMID41886424
PMCPMC13020819

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