Caracteristics of pneumonia hospitalizations at Pediatric clinic Tuzla

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is the most serious inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory system caused by various microorganisms. It occurs in all age groups, more often in children aged 5 years and below, in children with chronic diseases and impair- ments of the immune status. The aim of this study was to present the epidemiological, etiological and clinical characteristics of pneumonia in hospitalized children. Patients and methods: We analyzed the epidemiolog- ical, etiological and clinical characteristics of pneumo- nia in 224 children hospitalized at the Pediatric hospi- tal Tuzla during one year period with radiologically proven pneumonia. Results: Almost half of children with pneumonia (46.4%) were infants, and 82.1% of patients were under five years of age. The boys were leading in all age groups. A significant number of chil- dren had one or more predisposing risk factors. Clini- cal signs, gas analyses and pulse oximetry well correla- ted with hypoxemic type of respiratory failure. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococ- cus aureus, Klebsiella sp. and Pseudomonas aerugino- sa. The average length of intensive treatment was 2.8 days and the average total length of treatment was 9.5 days. Conclusion: Pneumonia hospitalizations of chil- dren at the Pediatric Clinic Tuzla, showed the usual age and gender distribution. A significant number of chil- dren had underlying chronic diseases. Etiological char- acteristics emphasizing severity of disease and immu- ne status of children. The management of pneumonia in children has to follow general pediatric principles, and special attention should be given to risk categories.