Epidemiology of lower respiratory tract infections in children

Abstract

Context: Respiratory tract infections are the main cause of children's morbidity and mortality both in the developing and the developed countries. An accurate understanding of the epidemiology of these diseases, identification of risk factors, etiology and seasonality are critical for successful treatment and/or prevention program. Evidence Acquisition: This article aims at offering clinicians a brief update on the recent epidemiology of respiratory infections in pediatrics. It also underlines the fact that any evidence-based recommendation needs more research in different areas. Results: Almost 150 million new episodes of pneumonia are identified per year worldwide more than 90% of which occur in developing countries. Nearly 30% of total annual deaths occur in children younger than 5 years old. Viruses remain the most common cause of RTIs. S. pneumonia and HIB are the main causes of bacterial pneumonia in the world; however, infections due to many of these pathogens can be prevented. Conclusions: Widespread immunization against influenza, measles, bacilli calmette-guerin (BCG) and now pneumococcus have been related to the decline of the LRTIs in children.