Pediatric doctor Mihai Craiu warns that, during this period, in which there is an intense circulation of influenza viruses (especially the flu), the cases of death through complicated pneumonia have been gathered in Romania.
Pneumonia can be fatal photo: Shuterstock
Pneumonia kills almost one million children under 5 years old annually in the world and represents 12.8% of children’s deaths between 28 days and 5 years.
According to the specialist, two studies have found that the syncytial respiratory virus (VSR) is the main cause of severe pneumonia in hospitalized children, not bacteria. Two important research – the study of Perch, carried out in countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, and the epic study in the United States – analyzed cases of severe pneumonia in hospitalized children, writes the doctor.
“The central theme of all these studies on pneumonia (serious cases of pneumonia, in the hospitalized child) was the finding of pathogens that produce pneumonia in this age group. And, in the second, finding the strategies of preventing the disease that still kill almost 1 million children, under 5 years old, worldwide.
-12.8% of all deaths of children under 5 years old, but older than 28 days, are attributable to pneumonia.
-2 major studies would be to remember (link in comments) -the study of Perch (in poor countries in Africa and Southeast Asia) and Epic study (in the US). In both studies conducted on children with severe (radiologically proven) pneumonia, hospitalized, PCR multiplex analyzes were made to find the cause ”says Dr. Mihai Craiu.
According to the pediatrician, the 1st place, in both studies, by far, is awarded by VSR (syncytial respiratory virus). In fact, in severe pneumonia in the study of Perch 68% of the hospitalized ones had an infection with one or more viruses.
Only 22.8% were produced by bacteria. And the first of the bacteria (pneumococcus) was only 5th in the standings, says Dr. Craiu.
“Even in very severe pneumonia, with hospitalization in intensive care and among which were documented and deaths, all the viruses were more common, 54.5% compared to those produced by bacteria – 33.7%. In the US study (EPIC) only 8% of the pneumonia were produced by a bacterial infection. There are still 7% cases with mixed, viro-bacterial infections ”, explains Dr. Craiu.
The consequence is tragic: “Complications of pneumonia can kill some children. Many, many more than expected … “
What is to be done?
The conclusion comes from figures: 48.5% decrease in mortality by pneumonia compared to 1990; 36.5% decrease in mortality in the small child (under 5 years) between 2000-2015. During the same period the general decrease in mortality by complicated pneumonia was only 3.2% at all ages.
“Why is the decrease observed in children than in adults and the elderly 10 times? Because the medical systems and their financing are similar in age groups, at the country level? We are talking about trends not of absolute figures here … because … vaccines. During this time the vaccine schemes worldwide, the vaccines against invasive pneumococcal infections and Haemophillus influenzae (in the hexavalent vaccine) were introduced in the vaccine schemes around the world.says Dr. Mihai Craiu.
Both exist in the national scheme in Romania. They can be done free of charge, in the first year of life, when the child is healthy, according to a national calendar.
Globally, 64.1% of the deaths by pneumonia in the young child are attributable to these 2 bacteria.
