developing countries. Aim of the study was to evaluate children with severe LRTI (pneumonia)
correlate it with radiological findings and bacteriological examination, to identify the risk factors and
to study the efficacy of various antibiotics that were used routinely in our sector. This was a prospective
clinical study of severe LRTI(pneumonia) conducted on 200 children who were admitted to Pediatric
ward from Oct 2010 to Sept 2012 at Gout General Hospital, Guntur, AP. Children from 1month to 60
months included in the study. Detailed history and clinical examination findings were documented.
Routine investigations like CBP, ESR and CXR were done for all cases and blood cultures were done in
relevant cases. All patients received antibiotics and supportive care. We found most common age group
from 1 month to 1year, males were more affected than females with ratio 1:1.9. Almost all patients
presented with symptoms and signs like hurried breathing, cough, fever, chest retractions,
crepitations. Symptoms and signs mentioned by WHO, ARI control programme were very sensitive and
can be applied to Hospitalized children. Most common type of sever LRTI was Bronchopneumonia
(83%). Most common risk factor was PEM of various grades (52%) and anemia, incomplete
immunization being other risk factors. Blood culture was positive only 7.8% of cases. Majority (83%)
responded to first line antibiotic like crystalline penicillin and amikacin.
KEYWORDS: Pneumonia, LRTI, Tachypnea, septicemia, PEM.
ALRTI are one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality in children in
developing countries. Aim of the study was to evaluate children with severe LRTI (pneumonia)
correlate it with radiological findings and bacteriological examination, to identify the risk factors and
to study the efficacy of various antibiotics that were used routinely in our sector. This was a prospective
clinical study of severe LRTI(pneumonia) conducted on 200 children who were admitted to Pediatric
ward from Oct 2010 to Sept 2012 at Gout General Hospital, Guntur, AP. Children from 1month to 60
months included in the study. Detailed history and clinical examination findings were documented.
Routine investigations like CBP, ESR and CXR were done for all cases and blood cultures were done in
relevant cases. All patients received antibiotics and supportive care. We found most common age group
from 1 month to 1year, males were more affected than females with ratio 1:1.9. Almost all patients
presented with symptoms and signs like hurried breathing, cough, fever, chest retractions,
crepitations. Symptoms and signs mentioned by WHO, ARI control programme were very sensitive and
can be applied to Hospitalized children. Most common type of sever LRTI was Bronchopneumonia
(83%). Most common risk factor was PEM of various grades (52%) and anemia, incomplete
immunization being other risk factors. Blood culture was positive only 7.8% of cases. Majority (83%)
responded to first line antibiotic like crystalline penicillin and amikacin.
KEYWORDS: Pneumonia, LRTI, Tachypnea, septicemia, PEM.