Clinical and socio-demographic profile of pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 5 years

Background: Among the common childhood illnesses, pneumonia is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in children throughout the world. Approximately, 150 million episodes of childhood pneumonia are reported every year, out of which 95% are from developing countries. In addition, socioeconomic and environmental factors like overcrowding, air pollution, passive smoking, practice of bottle feeding etc., contribute to the significant rise in incidence of pneumonia during recent years. The known factors affecting mortality are malnutrition, inadequate vaccination, illiteracy and lack of exclusive breast feeding.Pneumonia is one of the most prevalent Pediatric infections, and it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children all over the world. Every year, approximately 150 million cases of childhood pneumonia are reported, with 95 percent of cases coming from underdeveloped nations. Furthermore, socioeconomic and environmental variables like as overcrowding, air pollution, passive smoking, and the practice of bottle feeding, among others, have contributed to the large increase in pneumonia incidence in recent years. Malnutrition, inadequate immunization, illiteracy, and a lack of exclusive breast feeding are all documented variables that contribute to mortality.Materials and Methods: A total of 120 children in the age group of 2 months to 5 years, diagnosed with Pneumonia as per standard definition were enrolled in the study. Detailed history was taken including socio demographic factors and physical examination was done in all children. Appropriate investigations were done.Results : Children aged between 2 and 12 months constituted 60% of cases. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. 27.5% children had low birth weight, 63.3% were exclusively breast fed up to 6 months of age. Severe and very severe pneumonia was seen in 90% of children between age group 2 months and 2 years, 63.6% with low birth weight, and 66.6% with partial immunization status. Significant association was found between early weaning and severity of pneumonia (45.45% vs 26.3%).Conclusion: Children less than 2 years are more prone for developing pneumonia. Low birth weight, partial immunization status of the children, early weaning, history of bottle feeding, lower socioeconomic status, overcrowding, malnutrition and lack of maternal literacy were shown to have an increased risk for severe and very severe pneumonia in children. As most of the above stated factors are modifiable, the implementation of various preventive and educational programs in our society has a likelihood to reduce the occurrence and severity of pneumonia in children