Frequency of Pneumonia in Children Presenting with Measles at Bacha Khan Medical College Swabi

Measles remains a leading cause of preventable childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, outbreaks persist due to inadequate immunization coverage and socioeconomic disparities. Pneumonia is one of the most severe complications of measles, significantly contributing to hospitalizations and deaths among children. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of pneumonia among children presenting with measles at Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi, from December 2024 to May 2025. A total of 118 clinically and serologically confirmed measles patients aged 1–8 years were enrolled using a consecutive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results showed that 52 (44.1%) of the children developed pneumonia. The condition was significantly associated with younger age (≤5 years, p = 0.02), lack of vaccination (p = 0.001), and low socioeconomic status (p = 0.04). Radiological evaluation revealed bilateral patchy consolidation in 71.1% of pneumonia cases. These findings indicate that nearly half of the children with measles experienced pneumonia, emphasizing the crucial role of routine immunization and improved socioeconomic conditions in mitigating this burden. Strengthening vaccination programs, enhancing nutritional support, and promoting community-based awareness are essential steps toward reducing measles-related complications and achieving better child health outcomes in resource-limited settings.