ABSTRACT
Background: The majority of children with pneumonia are managed as outpatients. Pneumonia is indeed an acute respiratory illness that mostly affects the lungs. When a healthy individual breathes, the lungs are made up of little sacs called alveoli, which fill with air. Pneumonia can occur at any age, and it is much more common in children under the age of five. Pneumonia accounts for 13% of all infectious diseases in babies under the age of two. Pneumonia in newborns is characterized by poor feeding and respiratory distress, as well as tachypnea, retractions, grunting, and hypoxemia. In contrast, the majority of published material on pneumonia, particularly bacterial pneumonia, has come from hospitalized patients. This circumstance implies a lack of straightforward, accurate ways of establishing a bacterial illness diagnosis in the outpatient context. The aim of the study was to observe the possible causes and clinical manifestations of pneumonia among pediatric patients.Material & Methods:This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali, Bangladesh. The study duration was August 2021- July 2022. A total of 76 infants and children with WHO ARI classified pneumonia were included in the study.Results:Among the participants, over half [61.84%] of participants had been less than 1 year of age, and 59.21% of the participants were male. All the participants presented with cough, and fever was also extremely common among the participants. 36.84% of the participants also had convulsions, while respiratory infections, headaches, and feeding problems were each present in 22.37% of the participants. 40.79% had crepitation in the lung, 42.11% had rhonchi or wheezing sounds, and 10.53% had both crepitation and rhonchi. Among the symptoms present in the participants, all 100 had a cough, 94.74% had a fever alongside cough, and 39.47% had fast breathing. Among the participants, 18.42% had respiratory rates of 41-50 per minute, 52.63% had a respiratory rate of 51-60, and 28.95% had a rate of over 60 per minute. The mean heart rate was 91.69 among the participants. 71.05% had grade 1 protein-energy malnutrition, 53.95% were breastfed, 38.16% were bottle-fed, and 7.89% had discontinued feeding. Poor sanitation was observed in 44.74%. 14.47% had LPG cooking gas being used in their home, while 85.53% had used non-LPG gas.Conclusion:The study showed that the majority of the children were under 1 year of age, and male prevalence was observed among participants. Cough and fever were extremely common clinical presentations and symptoms of pneumonia, and rhonchi and crepitation were common signs of symptoms. Grade 1 protein malnutrition, unsanitary living space, and use of non-LPG gas might have a hand in the incidence of pneumonia among the participants. Among the different types of pneumonia, bacterial and viral were the most prevalent among children.
ABSTRACT
Background: The problem of increased ARI morbidity and mortality has arisen as a result of modernization, industry, and urbanization. There is a deficiency of epidemiological studies on risk factors and treatment. There is a significant vacuum in our understanding of these issues, which must be filled by methodical research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk factors developing pneumonia in our area.Material & Methods:This was a prospective clinical study of pneumonia conducted on 90 children who were admitted to Paediatric ward in Abdul MalekUkil Medical College, Noakhali, Bangladesh in study duration. Epidemiological factors affecting the same were studied and bronchoscopy was done whenever it was needed. A detailed history of the relevant symptoms, such as fever, cough, rapid breathing, refusal of feeds, noisy breathing, bluish discolouration etc., was collected.Results:The most affected children belonged to the age group of 1 year to 3 years (64.9%). Bronchopneumonia (86.2%) was the most common clinical diagnosis made at admission. According to WHO ARI control programme, 28.7% had pneumonia, 54.3% had severe pneumonia and 17% very severe pneumonia. It was found that younger age group, malnutrition, kutcha house, crowding, poor sanitation facilities, cooking with fuel other than LPG (indoor pollution) and low socio economic status and high respiratory rate were significant risk factors for pneumonia in children.Conclusions:One of the leading causes of mortality and death in children is particularly pneumonia. In newborns and preschool children, bronchopneumonia is the most common symptom.