Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a child: the role of methylprednisolone and clarythromycin.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is recognized as an important agent of pneumonia in pediatric population. In rare situations, severe pulmonary injury can develop. The use of corticoids in these cases remains controversial. A case of a girl with acute respiratory distress syndrome and bilateral pleural effusion secondary to pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is described, with good recovery after appropriate use of methylprednisolone and clarythromicyn.