Neonatal and Pediatric Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia accounts for 15% all deaths in children under 5 years of age, being the single largest infectious cause of deaths in children worldwide according to WHO. This study was conducted to study the clinical spectrum of pneumonia. Establishing the exact etiological factor is a difficult task, as there are no definite clinical, radiological markers to differentiate between causative organisms. Hence by detecting the genetic material of causative organism by serum PCR and correlating it with the clinical and radiological features can help in appropriate use with antibiotics.

Material and Methods: It is a observational study conducted in department of paediatrics KIMS hospital Bangalore, India which included inpatients admitted with clinical and radiological features of pneumonia over a study period from February 2018-July 2019. In this study we excluded Immunocompromised children and children on long term steroids >6 months. After obtaining informed written consent, detailed history and clinical examination was done. Investigations including complete hemogram, CXR were done. Under sterile precautions, Blood samples for serum PCR and blood culture and sensitivity were obtained. Serum PCR was done for a panel of 33 respiratory pathogens.

Results: Etiological agents were identified in 62% (93/150) of cases. 39% caused by solely Streptococcus Pneumoniae and an additional-13% coinfection of Streptococcus pneumoniae with other bacteria or viruses. In total 52% (78/150) positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Staphylococcus aureus has been detected to be the second common organism 14% (21/150), 6% with Staphylococcus aureus as the sole causative agent and 8% as coinfection. Klebsiella pneumoniae in 3% and Bordetella Pertussis in 3% cases. Viruses were identified in 3% (5/150).

Conclusion: In our study Pneumococci was identified in 52% of cases. In the study population most of them where from the lower to middle socioeconomic status, with overcrowding, lack of proper hygiene, inadequate nutrition and none of them had received vaccination against pneumococci.

Biography

Vivetha Elango has completed MBBS in the year 2016. She is pursuing her postgraduate in MD pediatrics at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Bangalore. This is currently the first paper that has been done.