Treatment Of Acute Respiratory Infections Research Articles

Efficacy of Vitamin D Supplements in Treatment of Acute Respiratory Infection: A Meta-Analysis for Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported inconsistent findings regarding the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of ARIs using a meta-analysis of RCTs. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for relevant articles in June 2021. Two of the authors independently assessed the eligibility of the trials. Results: Out of 390 articles retrieved from the databases, we included 18 RCTs, which involved 3648 participants, with 1838 in an intervention group and 1810 in a control group in the final analysis. In the meta-analysis of all the trials, vitamin D supplements had a beneficial effect in the treatment of ARIs (relative risk (RR) = 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.13; I2 = 66.9%). Publication bias was observed in the funnel plot. In the subgroup meta-analysis of high-quality RCTs, no significant efficacy of vitamin D supplements was found (RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.98–1.06; I2 = 24.0%). Although statistically significant changes of 7% in the treatment effects were observed, they are not considered as clinically substantial ones. Conclusions: The current meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D supplements are not clinically effective in the treatment of ARIs.

Immunostimulating therapy and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in children

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) have been holding leading positions in terms of prevalence rates in all age groups for much longer than one year, accounting for more than 70%. World Health Organization experts note that ARI is the most common group of diseases in the human population. Back in 1995, D.J. Rowlands stated in his publication that the average person has ARI for a total of about two years during his life. The published report “On the state of the sanitary and epidemic well-being of the population in the Russian Federation, 2017” showed that the acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) and influenza rate has increased by 9.3% over the past 6 years, more than 20% of the population have ARVI annually and children of younger age groups account for 70–80% among them. The annual economic damage from the burden of influenza and SARS is estimated at more than 500 billion roubles. The use of drugs that can prevent the spread of ARI, prevent attachment of secondary bacterial infections, reduce the need for prescribing systemic antibacterial drugs will allow to reduce the antibiotic resistance in microbes. However, the existing medicinal products are mainly represented by vaccines and antiviral drugs against influenza in almost complete absence of drugs against other ARI pathogens. In 2013, the World Health Organization launched the BRaVE initiative to expand treatment options for ARVI with the development of effective antivirals against the most significant pathogens and/or safe and effective biological response modifiers.The article is devoted to the challenge of treatment and prevention of ARI in children, the therapeutic potential of a plant preparation containing aloe extract. The data presented in the clinical results review of the use of this drug prove the feasibility and safety of its introduction in the ARI treatment and prevention regimens in children.

Клінічні аспекти гострої кропив’янки в дітей у практиці лікаря первинного та вторинного рівня надання медичної допомоги

Purpose - to study the existing approaches of doctors to the diagnosis and treatment of acute urticaria in children at different stages of medical care. Materials and methods. Generalized experience of acute urticaria was presented in 89 children: retrospective analysis of medical records of 74 inpatients (group I) and 15 outpatients (group II). The data of anamnesis, complaints, objective examination of patients, results of laboratory research methods, composition of emergency therapy, treatment measures, monitoring of the dynamics of clinical symptoms were studied in detail. Results. The age structure of hospitalized patients is represented mainly by children of the first three years of life (43.24%), among whom infants of the first year of life predominated - 46.87%. Instead, among outpatients were mostly preschoolers and schoolchildren. The causes of urticaria were dominated by infectious factors (group I - 45.95%, group II - 40.0%), idiopathic variants were in 21.62% and 26.67% of cases, respectively. 36 patients (48.64%) of group I were taken to the clinic by the emergency medical team; parents of 13 children (17.57%) sought help on their own, the other were referred by a district doctor. However, 44.22% of patients were not diagnosed with urticaria at the initial examination. Combinations of urticaria with angioedema in both groups were not numerous (25.67% and 13.33%, respectively). It was found that parenteral taking of corticosteroids (80.55%) and first-generation of antihistamines (37.93%) was often used in children of group I at the prehospital stage. A similar situation occurred in patients with urticaria, which arose during hospital treatment for acute respiratory infections. In patients of group II, the appointment of second-generation antihistamines dominated (80.0%). Complete regression of urticaria in the first two days was observed in 56.8% of children of group I and 86.67% - group II. Conclusions. The generalization of the experience of managing children with acute urticaria demonstrates difficulties in making a differential diagnosis, in determining the indications for hospitalization, the choice of emergency medication by primary care physicians and emergency medicine. The high commitment of primary and secondary care physicians to the choice of parenteral route of appointment of emergency care (corticosteroids, first-generation antihistamines) is alarming. Provisions of international guidelines based on evidence-based medicine regarding the appointment of second-generation antihistamines as a first-line emergency, which have a good clinical effect and have no serious side effects, should be actively implemented. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local ethics committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests were declared by the authors. Key words: acute urticaria, children, emergency care, diagnosis.

Етіотропна противірусна терапія ГРІ та грипу

Наведено досвід ведення гострих респіраторних інфекцій (ГРІ), грипу в 2009–2016 рр., перелік інфекційних і неінфекційних ускладнень ГРІ, грипу, об’єктивних досліджень і показань до госпіталізації. Основна стратегія лікування ГРІ, грипу полягає в застосуванні етіотропних противірусних препаратів (ЕПП) — осельтамівіру, занамівіру, Інгавірину. Зроблено висновок про необхідність раннього прийому ЕПП. Наведена дихальна підтримка при гострому ушкодженні легенів, гострому респіраторному дистрес-синдромі із застосуванням неінвазивної і інвазивної вентиляції легенів.

Досвід застосування комбінованого препарату Аскоріл при гострих респіраторних інфекціях у дітей

Захворювання органів дихання обов’язково супроводжуються змінами мукоциліарного кліренсу. У роботі наведені можливості використання комбінованого препарату з різними точками прикладання в лікуванні порушень трахеобронхіального дренажу при захворюваннях органів дихання в дітей.

The place of combined mucoactive drugs in the treatment of acute respiratory infections in children

The problem of respiratory diseases and their therapy options still retains much of its urgency. Respiratory diseases in children are still super common. According to the data on infectious morbidity among children in the Russian Federation for the period 2018–2020, current trends have not changed, and the acute respiratory infections (ARI) are still ranked number one in terms of the frequency of registered diseases. According to the official records, the frequency of ARI in children among infectious diseases is 71,850.02 per 100,000 population, or 71%. Such well-known symptom as cough is one of the most frequent manifestations of respiratory diseases. It causes the greatest discomfort for both the little patients and their parents, the quality of life of the children and those around them worsens, many domestic and foreign authors mention this symptom in their works. And it is this problem that doctors of various specialties most often face. The cough is currently treated with drugs with different effects depending on the characteristics and manifestations of the disease. Systematic reviews and multicenter studies show that prescription of mucoactive drugs to treat cough in children with underlying ARI is substantiated and feasible. The authors substantiated the necessity of using combinations of various drugs aimed to reduce inflammation of the airways, improve mucociliary clearance, thin out and promote sputum discharge and, accordingly, reduce cough. The article briefly discusses the mechanisms of the development of cough in ARI, the action of drug substances included in the combination drugs used to treat cough in children, the possibility of using the combination of muco- and bronchoactive drugs of synthetic and plant origin.

New Progress in Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment and Laboratory Testing of Acute Respiratory Infections in Children

Acute respiratory infection in children (ARTI) is the most common childhood infectious disease, and its pathogens include bacteria, fungi, viruses, chlamydia, mycoplasma and rickettsia. In recent years, with the continuous development of pathogen detection methods, the diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory infections has received more and more attention from clinicians. The clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory infections in children and the research of laboratory detection methods have also been continuously developed. The manuscript presents a review of progress in the clinical diagnosis, treatment and laboratory testing of acute respiratory infections in children by collecting references.

Роль применения высококомплаентных форм эфирных композиций в профилактике и комплексной терапии ОРИ у детей дошкольного возраста

Aim: to assess the efficacy of the composition of natural essential oils (inhaler patch) for the prevention and complex treatment of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in pre-school children. Patients and Methods: this prospective study enrolled 102 children aged 3–7 attending kindergarten. The study was conducted simultaneously in four groups of children attending pre-schools (study and control groups, respectively). Study group children received passive inhalations of essential oils (inhaler patches), i.e., in combination with complex treatment for ARIs (group 1) or as a preventive measure after contact with sick children (group 3). Control group children (groups 2 and 4) did not receive passive inhalations. The rate of ARIs, disease severity, fever duration, catarrhal period duration, and inhaler patch tolerability were assessed. Results: in children who used inhaler patch to prevent ARI but still got sick (group 3), fever duration was 1.5 days (i.e., 2.3 days shorter than in group 4) irrespective of age. The number of sick children in group 3 was 2.2-times lower than in group 4. The disease was mild, not associated with any complications, and characterized by a shorter duration of the catarrhal period. In group 1 (compared to group 2), body temperature was less than 38°C, and more rapid rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and cough relief were reported. Conclusions: our findings, in combination with the lack of adverse effects, allow us to recommend an inhaler patch to prevent ARIs during epidemics or seasonal peaks in pre-schools as a highly adherent entity characterized by excellent safety, no addiction, and long-term use. KEYWORDS: prevention, ARIs, essential oils, children, efficacy, inhaler patch. FOR CITATION: Sergeeva I.V. Highly adherent essential oils compositions for the prevention and complex treatment of ARIs in pre-school children. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(1):58–62 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2022-5-1-58-62.

Implementation of Procalcitonin in Antibiotic Stewardship: Derivation of a Consensus Algorithm for Procalcitonin Use in Clinical Practice.

Reducing antibiotics overuse is essential to minimize antibiotics related side effects and to prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Procalcitonin (PCT) guided antibiotics therapy has been reported to be safe in patients with acute respiratory infections and sepsis, improving clinical outcomes as well as reducing the duration of antibiotics use. However, there is still no universal agreement on clinical guidelines in Korea for optimal PCT applications. Through this expert consensus meeting, clinical research findings in the PCT-guided antibiotics treatment interventions and real-world clinical applications were discussed. From the perspective of antibiotic stewardship, PCT application target groups, cut-offs, and testing cycles were discussed to reach a consensus on the PCT-guided antibiotics treatment algorithm for application in Korea. Combining clinical assessment for patients with an appropriate PCT-guided antibiotics treatment algorithm could improve the diagnosis and treatment of acute respiratory infections and sepsis. In addition, continuous education and regular feedback would improve the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship.

Modern possibilities of herbal medicine in the treatment of acute inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract

The article provides data on the effectiveness of the use of the drug in the treatment of acute, chronic and recurrent diseases of the respiratory tract and ENT organs. The drug is an extract of Pelargonium sidoides. From the standpoint of modern pharmacology, it is known that the use of natural products based on plant materials ensures safety and the absence of pronounced side effects. The main active ingredients of pelargonium are phenolic compounds: coumarins, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The article details the biochemical and pharmacological properties of each of the above groups of compounds. It has been shown that the presence of several classes of phenolic compounds simultaneously contributes to the potentiation of the pharmacological effects of each group separately. Therefore, drug has a pronounced polytropic effect: antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytoprotective. The article presents the results of numerous domestic and foreign randomized, placebo-controlled studies demonstrating its high efficacy and safety in the treatment of ENT diseases, upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis, not only in adults, but also in children over 1 year old. On the basis of the analyzed and presented material, the authors concluded that the use of a natural-based drug in the treatment of acute respiratory infection is effective and safe, both as monotherapy and in combination with other medicinal substances. He is able to quickly eliminate not only the symptoms of inflammation, but also to support the body with any ailments of this type.

Application of a herbal preparation in the therapy of acute tonzillopharyngitis in children

Introduction. Tonsillopharyngitis often accompanies the course of acute respiratory infections in children (up to 12-15%). The use of systemic antibacterial drugs for viral etiology of the disease has not been shown, therefore, the interest of researchers in the use of herbal products is increasing. In numerous clinical trials conducted around the world, the liquid extract of the roots of Pelargonium sidoides EPs® 7630 has been shown to be effective and safe in the treatment of acute respiratory infections, acute tonsillopharyngitis, rhinosinusitis, acute bronchitis in adults and children.Objective of the study: assessment of the efficacy and safety of the drug EPs® 7630 (Umckalor) in acute tonsillopharyngitis of non-streptococcal etiology in children 2-6 years old on an outpatient basis.Materials and methods. A prospective analysis of cases of treatment with Umckalor for acute tonsillopharyngitis of non-streptococcal etiology against the background of acute respiratory infection in children 2-6 years old (n = 23, group 1) was carried out.The comparison group (2) consisted of children receiving standard therapy (n = 22). Systemic antibiotics and antiviral drugs were not used in all patients. The study was conducted over 6 months (2019-2020). The research results were processed using the Statistica 7.0 software (StatSoft, USA).Results and discussion. Therapy with Umckalor in children with acute tonsillopharyngitis contributed to the elimination of the main clinical symptoms of the disease on the 4th day of treatment (efficiency was 69.9%, p < 0.05). The most persistent symptom was hyperemia of the tonsils and oropharynx. The period of convalescence occurred 2 days earlier than in the children of group 2 (p < 0.05). Umckalor was well tolerated, no side effects of the drug were identified.Conclusions. The drug Umckalor can be recommended for monotherapy for 7 days in patients with acute non-streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis on an outpatient basis with mild and moderate disease.

Economic Evaluation of FebriDx®: A Novel Rapid, Point-of-Care Test for Differentiation of Viral versus Bacterial Acute Respiratory Infection in the United States

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are commonly treated with antibiotics in outpatient settings, but many infections are caused by viruses and antibiotic treatment is therefore inappropriate. FebriDx®, a rapid point-of-care test that can differentiate viral from bacterial infections, can inform antibiotic treatment decisions. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to conduct a literature-based US economic evaluation of a novel rapid point-of-care test, FebriDx®, that simultaneously measures two key infection biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and\ Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), to accurately differentiate viral from bacterial infection. Methods: A budget impact model was developed based on a review of published literature on antibiotic prescribing for ARIs in the United States. The model considers the cost of antibiotic treatment, antibiotic resistant infections, antibiotic-related adverse events, and point-of-care testing. These costs were extrapolated to estimate savings on a national level. Results: The expected national cost to treat ARIs under standard of care was US $8.25 billion, whereas the expected national cost of FebriDx point-of-care-guided ARI treatment was US $5.74 billion. Therefore, the expected national savings associated with FebriDx® rapid point-of-care testing was US $2.51 billion annually. Conclusions: FebriDx, a point of care test that can reliably aid in the differentiation of viral and bacterial infections, can reduce antibiotic misuse and, therefore, antibiotic resistant infections. This results in significant cost savings, driven primarily by the reduction in antibiotic resistant infections.

Economic Evaluation of FebriDx®: A Novel Rapid, Point-of-Care Test for Differentiation of Viral versus Bacterial Acute Respiratory Infection in the United States.

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are commonly treated with antibiotics in outpatient settings, but many infections are caused by viruses and antibiotic treatment is therefore inappropriate. FebriDx®, a rapid point-of-care test that can differentiate viral from bacterial infections, can inform antibiotic treatment decisions.Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to conduct a literature-based US economic evaluation of a novel rapid point-of-care test, FebriDx®, that simultaneously measures two key infection biomarkers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and Myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), to accurately differentiate viral from bacterial infection.Methods: A budget impact model was developed based on a review of published literature on antibiotic prescribing for ARIs in the United States. The model considers the cost of antibiotic treatment, antibiotic resistant infections, antibiotic-related adverse events, and point-of-care testing. These costs were extrapolated to estimate savings on a national level.Results: The expected national cost to treat ARIs under standard of care was US $8.25 billion, whereas the expected national cost of FebriDx point-of-care-guided ARI treatment was US $5.74 billion. Therefore, the expected national savings associated with FebriDx® rapid point-of-care testing was US $2.51 billion annually.Conclusions: FebriDx, a point of care test that can reliably aid in the differentiation of viral and bacterial infections, can reduce antibiotic misuse and, therefore, antibiotic resistant infections. This results in significant cost savings, driven primarily by the reduction in antibiotic resistant infections.

Возможности использования назальных форм интерферона в профилактике и лечении острых респираторных инфекций

Интерфероны представляют собой цитокины, которые производятся иммунокомпетентными клетками в ответ на вторжение инфекционного фактора. К наиболее весомым биологическим эффектам интерферонов, важным в клинической практике, относится их способность специ-фично подавлять вирусную репликацию. В данной статье суммированы функции интерферонов в реализации функций врожденного и приобретенного иммунитета. Рассмотрены возможности использования назальных форм интерферонов для лечения и профилактики наиболее распространенных вирусных заболеваний у детей, в частности, таких как острые респираторные вирусные инфекции, SARS и SARS-CoV-2.

Принципы антибактериальной терапии при лечении детей с бактериальными инфекциями дыхательных путей в амбулаторных условиях

В работе представлены данные по выбору и рациональному использованию антибиотиков при лечении острых респираторных заболеваний у детей, вызванных различными этиологически значимыми микроорганизмами.

Проблема ефективного та безпечного лікування гострих респіраторних інфекцій у дітей

Гострі респіраторні вірусні інфекції (ГРВІ) за поширеністю займають перше місце в світі, становлячи до 90 % усіх інфекційних захворювань. Етіологічна структура ГРВІ поліморфна, тому наявність клінічних проявів дуже рідко дозволяє встановити зв’язок із конкретним збудником і відповідно призначити етіотропну терапію. Метою даного клінічного дослідження було вивчення ефективності використання препарату Імупрет® у лікуванні ГРВІ у дітей (n = 35) дошкільного та молодшого шкільного віку. Усі пацієнти отримували симптоматичне лікування відповідно до чинного наказу МОЗ України. Основна група (n = 18) додатково отримувала імуномодулюючий препарат рослинного походження Імупрет®. З метою контролю за перебігом ГРВІ батьки заповнювали щоденник, який включав оцінку 9 основних симптомів. Якщо говорити про динаміку поліпшення за клінічним індексом, то слід зазначити, що в дітей основної групи починаючи з 3-го дня прийому препарату спостерігалася більш виражена позитивна динаміка порівняно з групою контролю. Вірогідні відмінності між пацієнтами спостерігалися при оцінці характеру кашлю: більш раннє його зволоження і збільшення продуктивності в дітей, які додатково отримували Імупрет®, з повним регресом в обох групах до 12-го дня. Середня тривалість ГРВІ в основній групі становила 6,2 дня порівняно з 8,9 дня в групі контролю. При аналізі частоти респіраторних захворювань встановлено, що протягом трьох місяців у дітей, яким був призначений Імупрет®, повторні епізоди спостерігалися тільки в 28 % випадків, в той час як у дітей із групи контролю вірусна інфекція була зареєстрована майже в половині випадків. Препарат Імупрет® є безпечним і ефективним лікарським засобом природного походження з доведеним механізмом дії для лікування і профілактики ГРВІ.

Цефалоспориніндукований біліарний сладж у дітей

Актуальність. Одним із побічних ефектів дії цефалоспоринів ІІІ покоління є формування цефалоспориніндукованого біліарного псевдолітіазу (ЦІБПЛ). Мета. Вивчити особливості формування біліарного сладжа при застосуванні цефалоспоринів ІІІ покоління в терапії гострих респіраторних інфекційних захворювань у дітей. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 46 дітей віком від 2 до 15 років з гострими респіраторними інфекційними захворюваннями, які отримували в терапії цефалоспорини ІІІ покоління парентеральним шляхом введення у вікових дозах. У всіх дітей до початку лікування і після закінчення антибіотикотерапії оцінювали показники біохімічного дослідження крові і дані ехосонографії (ультразвукове дослідження) біліарного тракту. Результати. За даними УЗД у 10 пацієнтів (21,7 %) з гострими респіраторними інфекційними захворюваннями після проведеного курсу терапії цефалоспоринами ІІІ покоління виявлено неоднорідний вміст у просвіті жовчного міхура у вигляді гіперехогенного субстрату, що свідчило про формування ЦІБПЛ. Середній вік пацієнтів із ЦІБПЛ становив 9,05 ± 1,44 року і перебував у межах від 4 до 15 років. Встановлено, що у 60 % обстежених дітей формування ЦІБПЛ протікало субклінічно. Результати біохімічного дослідження сироватки крові показали, що у дітей із ЦІБПЛ спостерігалося підвищення активності аланінамінотрансферази, аспартатамінотрансферази і лужної фосфатази. Було встановлено, що ЦІБПЛ відзначається у 22,9 % дітей на тлі терапії цефтріаксоном, у 9 % пацієнтів — цефтазидимом. Біліарний сладж формувався у 54,5 % хворих, які отримували цефтріаксон у високих дозах (100 мг/кг/добу), і в 75 % випадків — після 10-денного застосування даного антибіотика. Висновки. Отримані результати показали, що на тлі застосування цефалоспоринів ІІІ покоління при терапії гострих респіраторних інфекційних захворювань у 21,7 % хворих дітей відбувається формування ЦІБПЛ. Особливо високий ризик розвитку ЦІБПЛ відзначається при використанні високих доз цефтріаксону і пролонгованої терапії цефалоспоринами.

Відхаркувальна терапія при гострих респіраторних інфекціях у дітей

В огляді літератури подані сучасні відомості про застосування відхаркувальної терапії при гострих респіраторних інфекціях у дітей. Для написання статті здійснювався пошук інформації з використанням баз даних Scopus, Web of Science, MedLine, PubMed, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka, «Російський індекс наукового цитування». Акцентовано увагу на важливості вибору препарату для патогенетичної терапії кашлю в дитини з урахуванням ефективності й безпечності лікарського засобу. На підставі проведеного інформаційного пошуку систематизовані дані щодо фармакологічних властивостей і доказової бази клінічної ефективності, переносимості й безпеки застосування при лікуванні гострих респіраторних інфекцій у дітей одного з ефективних відхаркувальних засобів рефлекторної дії рослинного походження — препарату сухого екстракту листя плюща звичайного Пектолван Плющ (Pectolvan hedera helix).

Новые терапевтические возможности фитопрепаратов при лечении острых респираторных инфекций у детей

Поскольку респираторные вирусные инфекции являются самоэлиминирующимися заболеваниями, во всех случаях неосложненного течения острых респираторных инфекций мы считаем наиболее обоснованной симптоматическую терапию. Важной частью этой терапии у детей являются фитопрепараты, при условии применения только тех растительных лекарственных средств, которые обладают высоким профилем эффективности и безопасности. В статье представлены новые данные о поливалентных (противовирусных, противомикробных, иммуностимулирующих и противокашлевых) свойствах растительных препаратов ЭВКАБАЛ® (Esparma GmbH, Германия) — Эвкабал СИРОП и Эвкабал БАЛЬЗАМ, предназначенных для лечения острых респираторных инфекций у детей.

Inequity in health care utilization for common childhood illnesses in India: measurement and decomposition analysis using the India demographic and health survey 2015\u201316

BackgroundThough child mortality has dropped remarkably, it is considerably high in South Asia. Across the globe, 5.2 million children under 5 years of age died in 2019, and India accounts for a significant portion of these deaths. Common childhood illnesses are the leading cause of these deaths. Seeking care from formal providers can reduce these avoidable deaths. Inequity is a crucial blockage in optimum utilization of medical treatment for children. Hence, the present study analyzes the inequalities and horizontal inequities in utilizing the medical treatment for diarrhea, fever, acute respiratory infection (ARI), and any of these common childhood illnesses in India and across the Indian states. The study also attempts to locate significant contributors to these inequalities.MethodsThe study used 0 to 59 months children’s data sourced from the Demographic and Health Survey, India (2015–16). Concentration Index (CI) and Erreygers Corrected Concentration Index (EI) were used to measure the inequalities. The Horizontal Inequity Index (HII) was deployed to estimate inequity. The decomposition method introduced by Erreygers was applied to determine the significant contributors of inequalities.ResultsThe EI in medical treatment-seeking for common childhood illnesses was 0.16, while the HII was 0.15. The highest inequality was perceived in the utilization of medical treatment for ARI (0.17). The primary contributing factors of these inequalities were continuum of maternal care (18.7%), media exposure (12%), affordability (9.3%), place of residence (9.1%), mother’s education (8.5%), and state groups (8.8%). The North-Eastern states showed the highest level of inequality across the Indian states.ConclusionThe study reveals that the horizontal inequity in medical treatment utilization for children in India is pro-rich. The findings of the study suggest that attuning the efforts of existing maternal and child health programs into one seamless chain of care can bring the inequalities down and improve the utilization of child health care services. The spread of health education through different media sources, reaching out to rural and remote places with adequate health personnel, and easing out the financial hardship in accessing medical treatment could be the cornerstone in accelerating the utilization level amongst the impoverished children.