Büşra DEMİRCİ, Aslınur ÖZKAYA PARLAKAY, Dilan GÜNAYDIN, Gülşah EFEOĞLU GÜLSOY, Sevinç Püren YÜCEL
Türkiye Çocuk Hastalıkları Dergisi - 2026;20(5):382-387
Objective: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) remains an important cause of respiratory tract infections and community-acquired pneumonia in children and has regained prominence in the post-COVID-19 period. We aimed to evaluate pediatricians' knowledge of pediatric MP infection across key clinical domains and to compare knowledge according to professional experience. Materials and Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted in November-December 2025. A literature-based, face-to-face survey with 29 multiple-choice items (single best answer) assessed knowledge in four domains: risk factors (5 items), clinical manifestations/complications (8 items), diagnostic tests (6 items), and treatment (10 items). Participants were stratified by experience (0-5 years vs. >=6 years). Item-level correct response rates were compared using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and domain scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A total of 126 physicians participated (0-5 years: n=93; >=6 years: n=33). Domain-level knowledge scores were comparable between groups across risk factors, clinical manifestations/complications, diagnostic tests, and treatment. However, several item-level differences were observed; these item-level comparisons were exploratory. Physicians with >=6 years of experience more frequently answered correctly questions related to the incubation period, cutaneous manifestations, limitations of serologic testing, and identification of an antibiotic ineffective against M.pneumoniae infection. In contrast, physicians with 0-5 years of experience more frequently answered correctly items concerning post-infection immunity, the most commonly affected age group, M.pneumoniae-associated CNS disease, hospitalization-related knowledge, and management of MP-associated hemolytic anemia. Conclusion: Overall knowledge of pediatric M.pneumoniae infection was comparable across experience strata at the domain level; however, item-level findings should be interpreted cautiously as exploratory. These findings support an institution-wide, high-yield educational package prioritizing diagnostic test interpretation (particularly serology), recognition of extrapulmonary manifestations, and evidence-based antimicrobial selection in the post-COVID-19 period.
