Table 2.
Demographic, clinical and pleural fluid data of the studied cases
| Characters | Transudates (n=40) | Exudates (n=40) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 4.6 (±1.1) | 4.9 (±1.9) | 0.1 |
| Weight (kg) | 17.0 (±3.7) | 16.1 (±3.0) | 0.2 |
| Gender (Male/Female) | 25/15 | 24/16 | 0.09 |
| Bilateral effusions (No of cases) | 15 | 5 | 0.002 |
| Pleural fluid protein (g/L) | 18.0 (±4.9) | 48.0 (±11.6) | 0.006 |
| Pleural fluid /Serum protein | 0.32 (±0.12) | 0.64 (±0.17) | 0.007 |
| Pleural fluid LDH (IU/L) | 260 (±45) | 713 (±96) | 0.009 |
| Pleural fluid /Serum LDH | 0.41 (±0.09) | 0.65 (±0.18) | 0.003 |
| Pleural fluid cholesterol (mg/dL) | 23.0 (±4.1) | 85.0 (±23.6) | 0.001 |
| Protein gradient (g/L) | 42.0 (±11.3) | 25.0 (±4.5) | 0.006 |
| Albumin gradient (g/L) | 20.0 (±4.8) | 8.0 (±2.0) | 0.005 |
| RBCs (cells/µL) | 210 (±65) | 1200 (±134) | 0.004 |
| Nucleated cell count (cells/µL) | 600 (±54) | 1875 (±231) | 0.002 |
| pH | 7.37 (±0.08) | 7.24 (±0.14) | 0.009 |
| Glucose (mg/dl) | 124.0 (±22.7) | 68.0 (±12.5) | 0.01 |
| Pleural fluid /Serum glucose | 1.14 (±0.12) | 0.71 (±0.07) | 0.01 |
LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; RBC: Red Blood Cell