European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND OUTCOMES OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS IN AMIRIYA GENERAL HOSPITAL, ANBAR-IRAQ

*Dr. Muthana Dahham Mohammed, Dr. Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Mahmood, Dr. Ahmed Fawzi Ibrahim Luhaibi

ABSTRACT

Acute respiratory infection is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five in many countries. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors predicting the outcome of acute respiratory infections (ARI). This hospital-based case study was conducted at Amiriya general hospital, Anbar/Iraq from December 2016 to December 2018 on (150) children from 2 months up to five years presented with criteria of ALRI according to WHO criteria and evaluated for clinical presentation, risk factors and outcome. Routine investigations such as CBC, CRP and chest X-ray were done for all cases. The results showed that the highest incidence was among infants below 6 months (40%) and among male children (54%). The majority of children had anemia (82%) and PEM (34.7%). The most common clinical diagnosis was lobar pneumonia (36%), followed by bronchopneumonia (20%) and bronchiolitis in (18%). Croup was diagnosed in (6.7%), pleural effusion in (10.7%) of cases, while WALR was diagnosed in (8.7%) of cases. Need to antibiotic change, duration of stay and outcomes were significantly associated to pneumonia severity (p=0.001, p=0.009 and p=0.025, respectively); while need to oxygen therapy was highly significant (p=0.001). Sepsis was the most frequent cause of death and mortality rate was found in 18(12.0%) cases. It can be concluded that young age, malnutrition and poor socioeconomic status play an important role in in the morbidity; effective management of malnutrition, improving the living standards and proper health education programs, can reduce mortality from respiratory infection in children, ARI burden and severity.

Keywords: Acute respiratory infection, children, outcome, risk factors.