Magnitude of Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis and Their Treatment Modalities Practiced in Under Five Children Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of death globally among children younger than five years of age. Acute bronchiolitis is also a major public health problem throughout the world. Many children with pneumonia and bronchiolitis are not properly diagnosed, and overuse of antibiotics has led to increasing drug resistance.

Objectives: To determine the magnitude of pneumonia and bronchiolitis and to study their treatment modalities practiced in under five children.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Pediatric inpatient department and outpatient department of Rajshahi Medical college Hospital from October 2015 to March 2016. Total 373 cases between 1 month to 59 months of age with acute respiratory infection who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria were any child between 1 month to 59 months of age presented with respiratory symptoms including cough/runny nose or breathing difficulty as complained by the caregivers or having chest in-drawing. Detailed information was obtained through structured questionnaire and then analyzed.

Results: In this study majority of the children 223 (59.78%) were under 12 months of age. There were 234 (62.73%) male and 139 (37.27%) female cases, male to female ratio being 1.68:1. Among studied children 217 (58.18%) were urban dwellers and 156 (41.82%) were from rural areas and majority of the children 268 (71.85%) came from lower socioeconomic strata. Out of 373 cases, pneumonia was diagnosed in 131(35.12%) cases, bronchiolitis in 88 (23.60%) cases and other acute respiratory tract infections in 154 (41.28%) cases. Most common antibiotic used for the treatment of both pneumonia and bronchiolitis was ceftriaxone in 34.35% and 25% cases respectively followed by other antibiotics and medications.

Conclusion: It is concluded that pneumonia was found in 35.12% cases and bronchiolitis in 23.60% cases among the under five children attending a tertiary care hospital with acute respiratory infection. Majority were under 12 months of age, male children, residing in urban areas and coming from lower socioeconomic status. Ceftriaxone was the commonest antibiotic used in the treatment of both pneumonia and bronchiolitis.

TAJ 2023; 36: No-2: 163-170