Abstract: [Abstract]  Objective   To investigate the distribution, clinical diagnosis and treatment methods of the extrapulmonary complications in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP).  Methods   The clinical data of 1 100 patients confirmed the diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia and with the positive serum MP-IgM test were collected in this study. The distribution and clinical characteristics and MP-DNA detection rates were compared between 417 patients with extrapulmonary complications and 683 cases without complications. The occurrence of various complications in a four-year period was analyzed.Clinical data were compared between fiberoptic bronchoscopy lavage group and non-surgical group.  Results  The MP-DNA detection rate and the length of hospital stay were higher in patients with pulmonary complications than those of patients without complications. The most common types of extrapulmonary complications were liver damage, skin rashes and gastrointestinal reactions , but less severe. Encephalitis, nephritis and myocarditis were rare complications, but severe and occult. The fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) was also visible in patients. Bronchoscopy lavage was conducive to the recovery of the disease.   Conclusion  MP pneumonia showed high incidence and risks of extrapulmonary complications, which required careful clinical observation and inspection, the dynamic monitoring laboratory markers and comprehensive treatment as well.

Key words: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, pneumonia, diagnosis, therapy, pulmonary complications, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis