Acute Low Respiratory Infections in Children from 2 Months to 15 Years of Age in the Pediatric Department of the Commune II Reference Health Center in Bamako (Mali)

Abstract

Introduction: Acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) in paediatrics include a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the lower respiratory tract in children. They constitute a real public health problem, particularly in developing countries. Patient and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive study from 1 January to 31 December 2018, i.e. 2 years. All children aged 2 months to 15 years hospitalized for ARFU were included. Results: In our study, the prevalence of ARBI was 14.47%. The sex ratio was 1.16 in favour of boys. The under-5s were the most represented 97.5%. The peaks of hospitalizations were found in October 18.2%, November 16.5% and August 14%. According to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, 12.5% of the children were not correctly vaccinated. The reasons for consultation of our patients were respiratory distress with 25.6% followed by cough and cold 24.5%. Fever was associated with 70.2%. The clinical forms were dominated by: pneumonia 47.9% followed by superinfected bronchiolitis 33.1% and acute bronchitis 19%. The majority were treated with the combination of Ceftriaxone and gentamycin, i.e. 62.8% as first-line treatment. The evolution was favourable in 90.9% of cases with 5% death, 2.5% discharge against medical advice and 1.6% referral to higher level. Conclusion: Low-grade ARI is a public health problem in commune II of Bamako. Raising public awareness of the early signs of low-grade ARI, strict adherence to the expanded programme of immunisation, and upgrading of community and hospital health staff will help to reduce mortality from low-grade ARI.