Pneumonia in children—also referred to as childhood or pediatric pneumonia—is the leading single cause of child mortality worldwide.
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that can affect one or both lungs, causing the air sacs to fill with fluid or pus, which limits oxygen absorption. A diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia can originate from bacteria, viruses, or even fungi.
Several infectious agents can result in the onset of pneumonia, including:
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): The primary cause of viral pneumonia in children.
- Streptococcus pneumoniae: The leading cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.
- Haemophilus influenzae: The second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.
- Pneumocystis jirovecii: A significant cause of pneumonia in infants under six months of age living with HIV.
Symptoms of Pneumonia in Children
Children under five years of age may present with a cough and difficulty breathing. Fever is not always present, nor is tachypnea (rapid breathing) or subcostal retractions (an inward pulling or depression of the lower chest during inhalation). Wheezing is also frequently present as a result of viral infections.
In severe cases, infants may be unable to eat or drink, and they may experience loss of consciousness, hypothermia, or even seizures.
Diagnosing Pneumonia in Children
Generally, to diagnose pediatric pneumonia, doctors consider the time of year alongside the symptoms the pediatric patient is exhibiting. Additionally, the physician may order various medical tests, such as:
- Bronchoscopy: Allows direct visualization of the lung airways.
- Sputum Culture: A test performed on material coughed up from the lungs to identify the presence of an infection. This is not routinely performed on pediatric patients.
- Pleural Fluid Culture: A culture taken from fluid within the pleural space (the space between the lungs and the chest wall) to identify the bacteria causing the illness.
- Blood Tests: A complete blood count (CBC) helps confirm infections, while an arterial blood gas (ABG) test analyzes the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
- Pulse Oximetry: Measures the amount of oxygen saturation in the blood.
- Chest X-ray: Uses X-rays to generate images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on a film.
- Chest Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Produces detailed cross-sectional images of the chest structures.
Keep in mind that it is not necessary to perform every single test; the doctor will determine which ones are required to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Treatment for Pediatric Pneumonia
Because pediatric pneumonia has various underlying causes, treatment plans differ for each case. However, antibiotics are commonly prescribed by your child’s doctor when a bacterial origin is identified.
Additional supportive measures during treatment may include maintaining a proper diet, ensuring adequate fluid intake, using a cool-mist humidifier, and administering prescribed cough remedies as instructed by the physician.
If your child experiences severe respiratory distress, hospitalization may be necessary to receive specialized care. For this reason, if your child begins to show any of these symptoms, it is critical to consult your doctor promptly to manage the illness effectively.
At the Pediatric Center of Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care. Contact us today!
