Predictors of Outcome and Complications in Severe and Very Severe Pneumonia in Children Aged 2-59 Months

摘要

Pneumonia, defined as inflammation of the lung parenchyma, is the leading cause of death globally among children younger than age 5 year, accounting for an estimated 1.2 million (18% total) deaths annually [Metthew S. Kelly et al, 2015]. Pneumonia kills more children than any other illness, more than measles, malaria and AIDS combined. Globally 156 million new pneumonia cases are reported every year in the developing world. As many as 8.7 per cent of these cases are severe enough to be life-threatening and require hospitalization. India accounts for the maximum 43 million new cases followed by China (21 million cases) and Pakistan (10 million cases). Pneumonia is estimated to kill 410,000 children in India every year. It has been shown through various studies that mortality due to pneumonia could be decreased by interventions like prevention of pneumonia through immunization, early diagnosis and optimal case management, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, reducing indoor air pollution, preventive antibiotic treatment in HIV infected children and zinct supplementation [Ramachandran P et al, 2012].