Undernutrition and pneumonia mortality

Globally, pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Undernutrition, defined by wasting, stunting, and specific nutritional deficiencies, is associated with approximately half of all deaths in such children.1 Beyond having a direct impact on mortality, undernutrition increases the frequency and severity of pneumonia episodes, potentially representing a secondary immune deficiency that has not been well characterised.2,3 Undernutrition in a child with severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation can also be associated with a diminished metabolic capacity to overcome the amplified physical and physiological demands of the illness, such as increased temperature, cardiac output, and work of breathing.