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

摘要

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.