What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the association between modifiable risk factors and pneumonia severity in children aged 2–59 months.

January 14, 2026Open Access

Association of modifiable risk factors with severity of pneumonia in children aged 2 months to 5 years: a prospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai

SSSushma SaveTopiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital APAshwini PatilTopiwala National Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital UDUnmesh DevUniversity of Calicut

Key Points

Evaluate the association between modifiable risk factors and pneumonia severity in children aged 2–59 months.
Conducted a cross-sectional study in a pediatric ward and ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai.
Enrolled 120 children with WHO-defined pneumonia after obtaining parental consent.
Assessed factors like parental education, breastfeeding, immunization, and malnutrition.
34.2% of children had non-severe pneumonia, 49.2% severe, and 16.7% very severe pneumonia.
Low paternal education and incomplete immunization significantly associated with severity (p < 0.001).
Prior antibiotic use and malnutrition were also linked to increased pneumonia severity.

Abstract

Abstract Background Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years, especially in developing countries. Although the risk factors for childhood pneumonia are well documented, the relative contribution of these factors to disease severity remains less explored in Indian settings. This study evaluates the association between known epidemiological and modifiable risk factors and the clinical severity of pneumonia among hospitalized children aged 2–59 months. Assessment of these risk factors may lead to appropriate interventions resulting in reduction of severe disease and deaths. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months in the pediatric ward and ICU of a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai after obtaining Ethics committee approval & parental consent. A total of 120 children aged 2 months–5 years with WHO-defined pneumonia were enrolled. Children were grouped into those with non-severe, severe, and very severe pneumonia. Risk factors assessed included parental education, breastfeeding, immunization, malnutrition, delayed healthcare-seeking and prior antibiotic use. Results Of 120 cases, 41 (34.2%) had non-severe, 59 (49.2%) severe, and 20 (16.7%) very severe pneumonia. Significant associations with pneumonia severity were found for low paternal education ( p < 0.001), short duration of exclusive breastfeeding ( p < 0.001), incomplete immunization ( p < 0.001), delayed healthcare-seeking ( p = 0.008), malnutrition ( p = 0.004), and prior antibiotic use ( p = 0.002). Maternal education and family history of recent respiratory infection were not significantly associated with pneumonia severity. Conclusion The following modifiable risk factors are associated with severe pneumonia: poor nutrition, incomplete immunization, delayed healthcare-seeking and prior antibiotic use. Interventions addressing these risks factors can substantially reduce childhood pneumonia morbidity and mortality.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper