Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Community Acquired Pneumonia in childhood at Zagazig University Hospitals.

Background: Childhood pneumonia continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In Egypt, pneumonia is prevalent and represents a socioeconomic burden on patients and their families due to recurrent absences from school and hospital stays. This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of pneumonia among children admitted in pediatric department, Zagazig university hospitals. Patients and methods: This cross-section study was carried out at pulmonology unit, Pediatric Department, on 159 children with pneumonia aged between 2 and less than 15 years. Treatment was tailored based on clinical presentation, special emphasis on the duration and severity of pneumonia and treatment given. The respiratory distress severity was assessed using a clinical Canadian emergency department triage. Chest x-ray on admission and before discharge, CT if needed, Laboratory investigations, Ddimer and Blood culture. Results: that pneumonia was most prevalent among preschool aged males from urban areas. Moderate pneumonia was most common, with the majority having right lung involvement. All patients presented with fever, tachypnea, dyspnea and cough, while additional symptoms like chest pain and oxygen desaturation below 92% were more associated with pleural effusion. Outcome, 90.6% of patients improved and discharged for follow up in our clinic while 9.4% of them cases needed ICU admission. Conclusion: Cultures most commonly yielded no growth, although Staph aureus from pleural fluid and Klebsiella form sputum were notable his attributed to high prevalence of viral causes of pneumonia among studied patients and confirms the importance of Staph aureus and Klebsiella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]