Objective: Mycoplasma infections participate significantly in the etiology of pneumonia acquired in the community, especially in children of school age and adolescents. The work investigated the proportion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in the etiology of pneumonia acquired in the community and the incidence of complications. Patients: The authors evaluated the data in 531 patients at the age of 3-18 years treated the 2nd Pediatrie Department of Medical Faculty, Komenský University and Children University Hospital in Bratislava in the years 1984-2005 with the diagnosis of acute pneumonia. Results: Mycoplasma infection was confirmed by serological examination in 32.5% (173/531) cases. The higher oceurrence was observed in the period of epidemie of mycoplasma infection in the years 1985 - 53.0 %, 1991 - 50 %, 1995 - 45.8 %, 2000 - 71.4% and 2005 - 50 %. Pulmonary complications oceurred in 16.1% (28/173), most frequent being pleuritis, rarely atelectasis and in one čase enlarged hilus lymphatic nodes. Extrapulmonary complications were observed in 12.7% (22/173), most frequent being gastroenteritis, rarely affection of centrál nervous systém, exanthemas, hemolytic anemia of mild degree and arthralgia. Severe complications oceurred in 3.4% (6/173), extensive pleural exudates, respiratory insufficiency, ischémia in the area of cerebral artery and exudative pericarditis. Conclusion: Mycoplasma pneumonia was the cause of pneumonia acquired in the community in 32.5%. Severe complications oceurred in 3.4%. The patients were cured up without permanent consequences, no patient died. Macrolide antibiotics proved to be successful. The patients with a complicated course of the disease should be regular-ly observed in follow up examinations until the X-ray finding and pulmonary functions became normá

        Key words: mycoplasmal pneumonia, complications, children, adolescents