Abstract

ARTIS, María et al. Liver abscesses in pediatric patients: Multicenter study. Gen [online]. 2012, vol.66, n.1, pp.5-10. ISSN 0016-3503.

Introduction: Liver abscess (AH) remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world related to the sociodemographic conditions of developing countries. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and treatment of AH in pediatric patients in nine centers throughout the country. Materials and methods: A descriptive, retrospective, which reviewed the medical records for patients under 17 years of age diagnosed with AH admitted between January 1998 to May-2011. Results: We included 161 patients: male predominance of 59.01% (95/161), preschool 42.24% (68/161), urban-type  origin: 68.33% (110/161). Average time of prehospital illness: 10 days, and hospitalization: 22 days. The main findings were: fever: 96.27% (155/161), abdominal pain 88.19% (142/161), leukocytosis: 91.30% (147/161) with neutrophilia 86.34% (139/161), comorbidities by erratic migration Ascaris lumbricoides 19.88% (32/161), malnutrition 15.13% (23/152), AH only: 77.64% (125/161), right lobe: 82.61% (133/161), pyogenic type 62.9% (56/89). The 96.89% received metronidazole (156/161) associated mostly with third-generation cephalosporin, aminoglycoside 24.22% (39/161). Underwent drainage of AH 28.57% (46/161). Mortality was: 1.86%. Conclusion: The clinical-epidemiological and imaging studies allow us to establish accurate diagnosis and institute the perfect antibiotic, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality.

Keywords : Liver Abscess; children.