Community-acquired pneumonia in children - a changing spectrum of disease

Pediatr Radiol. 2017 Oct;47(11):1392-1398. doi: 10.1007/s00247-017-3827-8. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Abstract

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death in children outside the neonatal period, despite advances in prevention and management. Over the last 20 years, there has been a substantial decrease in the incidence of childhood pneumonia and pneumonia-associated mortality. New conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae have contributed to decreases in radiologic, clinical and complicated pneumonia cases and have reduced hospitalization and mortality. The importance of co-infections with multiple pathogens and the predominance of viral-associated disease are emerging. Better access to effective preventative and management strategies is needed in low- and middle-income countries, while new strategies are needed to address the residual burden of disease once these have been implemented.

Keywords: Children; Conjugate vaccination; Epidemiology; Haemophilus influenzae; Incidence; Pneumococcus; Pneumonia; Radiology; Vaccination.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Community-Acquired Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Community-Acquired Infections / epidemiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / microbiology
  • Community-Acquired Infections / prevention & control
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Pneumococcal Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pneumonia / epidemiology
  • Pneumonia / microbiology
  • Pneumonia / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Pneumococcal Vaccines