Table 1 Demographic and clinical features, inflammatory markers, and the findings of bronchoscopy and chest imaging in all patients

Male/female

22/28

25/19

P = 0.215

Age (years)

7.23 ± 2.48

7.75 ± 2.28

P = 0.409

Disease course before first admission (days)

17.40 ± 13.33

9.27 ± 3.79

P < 0.001

Respiratory failure (n/%)

12/(24%)

0/(0%)

P = 0.001

WBC (×10⁹/L)

11.85 ± 4.61

8.47 ± 2.48

P < 0.001

CRP (mg/L)

104.96 ± 54.20

30.32 ± 20.64

P < 0.001

LDH (IU/L)

681.00 ± 298.24

330.11 ± 81.37

P < 0.001

  Mucous plug (n/%)

41/(82%)

3/(6.8%)

P < 0.001

  Mucus necrosis (n/%)

29/(58%)

3/(6.8%)

P < 0.001

  Stenosis (n/%)

13/(26%)

3/(6.8%)

P = 0.014

  AO (n/%)

13/(26%)

2/(4.5%)

P = 0.005

 Consolidation (>one pulmonary lobe) (n/%)

46/(92%)

0/(0%)

P < 0.001

 Pleural effusion (n/%)

34/(68%)

2/(4.5%)

P < 0.001

Pulmonary embolism (n/%)

8/(16%)

0/(0%)

P < 0.001

 NP (n/%)

28/(56%)

1/(2.3%)

P < 0.001