Abstract
BACKGROUND: The incidence of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MRMPP) has been increasing in children, resulting in prolonged illness and complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrashort-wave therapy (USWT) as a second-line therapy in patients with MRMPP. METHODS: This is a retrospective controlled practice clinical study of 112 children hospitalized with MRMPP, assigned to a control group (n = 75) who received standard therapy, or a USWT group (n = 37), who received standard therapy plus USWT. The groups were assigned based on parental preference, not randomization. The primary outcomes studied were length of stay, pulmonary lesion resolution, and new lesion rate; a secondary analysis investigated time to introduce USWT. RESULTS: The baseline clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups, with the exception of the mean length of stay. The length of stay was significantly longer for the USWT group (10.9 ± 3.1 vs. 9.4 ± 2.4 days, p = 0.01). The resolution of lesions was significantly higher (97.3 vs. 72.0%, p < 0.01), and new lesion rates were lower in the USWT group (16.2 vs. 29.3%), but not significant (p = 0.20). The multivariate analysis confirmed that USWT and severity of pneumonia were significant independent variables affecting lung length of stay (p <0.01; p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: USWT as adjunctive therapy for children with MRMPP significantly improved resolution of pulmonary lesions, while also being associated with longer length of stay. These findings suggest that USWT may be a supportive, non-pharmacologic adjunctive therapy to improve recovery from antibiotic-resistant pediatric pneumonia.