Global Pediatric Health (Mar 2016)

Sputum Induction in Children Is Feasible and Useful in a Bustling General Hospital Practice

  • Ingeborg Y. Bart MD,
  • Mariëlle Mourits MD,
  • René van Gent MD, PhD,
  • Maarten H. van Leuken MD,
  • Mirrian Hilbink PhD,
  • Adilia Warris MD, PhD,
  • Peter C. Wever MD, PhD,
  • Esther de Vries MD, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794x16636504
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3

Abstract

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We prospectively studied the feasibility and effectiveness of sputum induction in obtaining good quality sputum and its subsequent bacterial yield in children with clinically suspected acute lower-respiratory-tract infection (aLRTI). Good quality sputum was collected in 89/98 (91%) patients. Sputum cultures revealed ≥1 bacterial pathogens in 22 cases (25%). Adverse events were infrequent and mild (6%). Sputum induction is feasible in young children and leads to an increased number of etiological diagnoses of aLRTI.