Pneumonia in Children

Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the parenchyma of the lower respiratory tract caused by a pathogen.

Worldwide, pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children <5 years of age.

About 2 million children are dying each year from pneumonia

Two-thirds of these deaths happen during infancy most of them are in developing countries

In developed countries

Pneumonia occurs in 10-15 / 1000 children per year

Hospital admission rates are 1-4/1000 children per year, most of them are infants and young children

Mortality is rare.

Symptoms and physical examination are not specific and not sensitive enough to diagnose all children with acute pneumonia However, respiratory rate, chest wall indrawing an stridor can be helpful in poor resources settings

for more detail see the BTS guidlines