Study on the Therapeutic Effect of Azithromycin Combined with Glucocorticoid on Pulmonary Function and Inflammatory Response in Children with Pneumonia

OBJECTIVE: The objective is to explore the efficacy of azithromycin combined with glucocorticoids in the treatment of children with pneumonia and its effect on the inflammatory response. METHODS: A total of 86 children with pneumonia were divided into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). Both groups received conventional treatment, the CG was treated with azithromycin and the EG was additionally treated with glucocorticoid methylprednisolone. The therapeutic effect, disappearance time of clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, inflammatory factors, immune function, quality of life, and adverse reactions were measured in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, compared with CG, the total effective rate was significantly elevated, the disappearance time of various clinical symptoms was earlier, and various pulmonary function indexes were increased in the EG. The interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C reactive protein (CRP), and CD8+ levels were reduced, and CD3+ and CD4+ levels were increased in the EG. The quality-of-life scores were upregulated in the EG. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The combined use of azithromycin and glucocorticoids in the treatment of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection has a good curative effect, can significantly improve lung function, restore pulmonary inflammatory indexes to normal, and enhance patients' immune function and improve their quality of life, with fewer adverse reactions and safety.