Study of respiratory diseases, children residing in stone quarry

Abstract

Objective: The aim is to study respiratory diseases in children staying in a stone quarry. Methods: Prospective longitudinal study. All 85 children staying in the stone quarry near Pune were followed for respiratory symptoms and nutritional status by monthly visits for a period of 18 months. At the time of enrolment, Hemogram, Chest X- ray Postero-anterior view (PA), Tuberculin Test (TT), Peak Expiratory Flow Rate{PEFR }(Of children age: 5-12 yrs.) was done. Results: In those 85 children, there were 394 episodes of respiratory infections (3.09 episodes per child per year). They had 53 episodes of pneumonia requiring admission. TT test was positive in 9.4%of children. Eosinophilia was present in 16.47% of children. PEFR in these children was significantly lower than that of children of the same height (P < 0.05); 64.2% of all children were malnourished; 42.8% had moderate malnutrition and 21.4% had severe malnutrition. None of them had received even vaccines provided under EPI completely. Conclusion: Children staying in the stone quarry have frequent respiratory infections. They have a higher rate of pneumonia requiring admission. TT positivity is high. They have a lower PEFR. Immunization coverage is poor.

Keywords

• pneumonia
• respiratory disease
• stone quarry