Factors Influencing Outcomes in Children with Severe Pneumonia
Author Information
Author(s): Tiewsoh Karalanglin, Lodha Rakesh, Pandey Ravindra M, Broor Shobha, Kalaivani M, Kabra Sushil K
Primary Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Hypothesis
What factors influence mortality and morbidity in children under five hospitalized with severe pneumonia?
Conclusion
Children with severe pneumonia who lack exclusive breastfeeding, live in overcrowded homes, and have abnormal chest radiographs are more likely to need changes in antibiotics and have prolonged hospital stays.
Supporting Evidence
- 56.5% of children needed a change in antibiotics.
- 51% stayed in the hospital for more than 5 days.
- 20.5% required mechanical ventilation.
- 10.5% of the children died during the study.
Takeaway
Kids with severe pneumonia who didn't get only breast milk, live in crowded homes, and have bad chest X-rays are more likely to need different medicines and stay in the hospital longer.
Methodology
The study enrolled 200 children aged 2–60 months with WHO-defined severe pneumonia and followed their outcomes based on various clinical and demographic factors.
Limitations
Bacterial etiology was based only on blood cultures, which had low positivity rates.
Participant Demographics
143 (71.5%) were infants under 12 months, 127 (63.5%) were boys, and 136 (68%) came from overcrowded families.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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