Pattern of acute respiratory infections in hospitalized children under five years of age in Jos Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory infections are the commonest cause of acute morbidity in children especially those under five in the developing countries. Clinical diagnosis is of utmost importance considering the unavailability of radiological and microbiological services in most primary care settings in most developing countries. Methodology: Thirty nine children with symptoms of acute respiratory infection attending our emergency room over a one year period were recruited. Each had a CXR and blood culture ordered by the attending physician on admission. Results: Thirty nine subjects were admitted with ARI with a hospital prevalence of 43.5/1000 person per year (39/897). Mean age was 18.75+17.23 mo, (Females =25.6+19.1, Males = 13.8+14.2, t=2.2, p=0.03). Bronchiolitis was the commonest ARI seen in infants, tonsillitis in children beyond infancy while pneumonia was seen in all age groups. The cardinal feature of each disease entity was Fever, cough, breathlessness, tachycardia and hypoxemia in those with Pneumonia; Catarrh, nasal congestion and tachypnoea in those with bronchiolitis, while fever and vomiting were seen in those with pharyngotonsilitis. Conclusion: This review highlights the common ARI in our setting. Efforts need to be intensified on the identification of children with ARI in the children emergency room with the aim of prompt and appropriate management in order to meet the MDG targets.