ABSTRACT
Pleural effusions (PE) in children are caused by the same factors as in adults, but they appear with a different incidence, related to age. In the neonate, PE are usually present either as part of a generalized disease, like hydrops fetalis or congenital heart disease, or as an isolated finding, like chylothorax, intra-uterine or perinatal infection, transient tachypnea of the newborn, persistent hypertension of the newborn, etc. (1). In older children the most common cause is bacterial pneumonia, followed by heart failure, rheumatic disorders, and malignancies (2). Tuberculus effusions are also increasing in frequency (3). In this chapter we will focus on the most common causes of pleurisy in the pediatric population, the diagnostic approach, and management.
