Jiejing Xu1, Lili Yu2, Baidi Fu1, Deyu Zhao3, Feng Liu4. 1. Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. 2. Department of Respiration, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China. 3. Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. Zhaodeyu98@126.com. 4. Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. axsliu@163.com.
Abstract
We analyzed the effects of delivery methods on Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia in infants. Three hundred forty-four children hospitalized with Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia were enrolled. They were divided into the vaginal delivery group and the cesarean delivery group. We compared and analyzed their age of onset, peripheral blood white blood cell count, liver enzymes, chlamydia trachomatis titers, and chest radiograph scores. Seventy-eight (22.7%) were delivered by a cesarean, and 266 (77.3%) were delivered vaginally. There were no statistically significant differences between groups when compared by sex and age (P > 0.05). Copy numbers and white blood cell counts in the peripheral blood of children with Chlamydia trachomatis in respiratory secretions of the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than those of the cesarean delivery group (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels between groups were not statistically significant. Comparisons of admission chest radiography scores, discharge radiography scores, and score differences showed no statistical differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Infants delivered by cesarean comprise approximately one-fifth of those affected. The Chlamydia trachomatis titers and peripheral blood leukocyte counts of the vaginal delivery group were higher than those of the cesarean delivery group. Age of onset, liver enzymes, pulmonary inflammation, and pneumonia absorption were not different between groups. What is Known: • Chlamydia trachomatis is an important pathogen that causes lower respiratory tract infections in infants. • C. trachomatis is primarily transmitted to infants through the infected mother, resulting in Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia subsequently. What is New: • Vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery can result in Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia transmission; however, cesarean delivery accounts for ~ 20% of cases. • C. trachomatis volume in the respiratory tract and the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in infants delivered vaginally were higher than those in infants delivered by cesarean.
We analyzed the effects of delivery methods on Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia in infants. Three hundred forty-four children hospitalized with Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia were enrolled. They were divided into the vaginal delivery group and the cesarean delivery group. We compared and analyzed their age of onset, peripheral blood white blood cell count, liver enzymes, chlamydia trachomatis titers, and chest radiograph scores. Seventy-eight (22.7%) were delivered by a cesarean, and 266 (77.3%) were delivered vaginally. There were no statistically significant differences between groups when compared by sex and age (P > 0.05). Copy numbers and white blood cell counts in the peripheral blood of children with Chlamydia trachomatis in respiratory secretions of the vaginal delivery group were significantly higher than those of the cesarean delivery group (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels between groups were not statistically significant. Comparisons of admission chest radiography scores, discharge radiography scores, and score differences showed no statistical differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:Infants delivered by cesarean comprise approximately one-fifth of those affected. The Chlamydia trachomatis titers and peripheral blood leukocyte counts of the vaginal delivery group were higher than those of the cesarean delivery group. Age of onset, liver enzymes, pulmonary inflammation, and pneumonia absorption were not different between groups. What is Known: • Chlamydia trachomatis is an important pathogen that causes lower respiratory tract infections in infants. • C. trachomatis is primarily transmitted to infants through the infected mother, resulting in Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia subsequently. What is New: • Vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery can result in Chlamydia trachomatis pneumonia transmission; however, cesarean delivery accounts for ~ 20% of cases. • C. trachomatis volume in the respiratory tract and the number of peripheral blood leukocytes in infants delivered vaginally were higher than those in infants delivered by cesarean.
Authors: Maria José Penna Maisonnette de Attayde Silva; Gilzandra Lira Dantas Florêncio; José Roberto Erbolato Gabiatti; Rose Luce do Amaral; José Eleutério Júnior; Ana Katherine da Silveira Gonçalves Journal: Braz J Infect Dis Date: 2011 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 1.949