On the issue of the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia in children

Abstract

According to global statistics, the number of cases of community-acquired pneumonia in children exceeds 150 million per year, and despite the introduction of vaccinations, this figure has not significantly decreased. Respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, are recognized as the main cause of community-acquired pneumonia among preschool children during non-epidemic periods. Pneumococci also continue to play a significant role among bacterial pathogens. There is a significant increase in the prevalence of M. pneumoniae in the etiological structure of community-acquired pneumonia in recent years. Modern clinical guidelines for the use of antibiotics recommend taking into account patient age, vaccination status, and data on circulating pneumococcal strains when prescribing treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent relaxation of strict restrictions in the last two years have led to changes in the structure of infectious diseases, including the causes of lower respiratory tract infections.