This retrospective cohort study compared high-dose vs. conventional-dose methylprednisolone in 82 Chinese children with severe *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* pneumonia (SMPP), admitted January 2018–January 2024, with outcomes assessed at 6-month follow-up.
High-dose methylprednisolone led to shorter fever duration (9.8 vs. 16.1 days), faster defervescence after corticosteroid start (1.0 vs. 7.0 days), shorter hospitalization (13.4 vs. 18.4 days), and—most notably—a much lower rate of chronic lung disease at 6 months (28.2% vs. 85.4%; p < 0.001), along with better oxygen saturation and pulmonary function.
Retrospective single-center design limits causal inference and generalizability. Dosing groups were not randomized, raising the risk of selection bias. The study was conducted exclusively in Chinese children, so findings may not extend to other populations.
In children with SMPP, high-dose methylprednisolone appears to sharply cut the risk of chronic lung disease at 6 months compared to conventional dosing. Clinicians should weigh this potential long-term benefit against steroid risks while awaiting prospective trial data.
Explore related topics
