Age-specific Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia-associated myocardial damage in children.

OBJECTIVE: To measure Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP)-associated myocardial damage in different age groups of children with pneumonia.

METHODS: Children aged 0-14 years with pneumonia and myocardial damage (serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB [CK-MB] concentration >25 U/l) were enrolled in the study. The children were classified as Mycoplasma pneumoniae immunoglobulin M positive (M. pneumoniae IgM+) or negative (M. pneumoniae IgM-) based on a serological test. Children were stratified into four age groups in order to analyse age-specific MPP-associated myocardial damage.

RESULTS: The incidence of fever was significantly higher in children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ compared with M. pneumoniae IgM- children. The median serum CK-MB concentration was significantly higher in children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ compared with those who were M. pneumoniae IgM-. Children who were M. pneumoniae IgM+ in the 13-36 months and 72 months-14 years age groups had significantly higher median serum CK-MB concentrations than those who were M. pneumoniae IgM- in the same age group.

CONCLUSIONS: M. pneumoniae infection was associated with greater myocardial damage in children aged 13-36 months and 72 months-14 years. This suggests age-specific immune responses to M. pneumoniae.