Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Acute respiratory infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under five children in developing countries. Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify various modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in children aged 1 mth to 5 yr.

Methods

104 ALRI cases fulfilling WHO criteria for pneumonia, in the age group of 1 mth to 5 yr were interrogated for potential modifiable risk factors as per a predesigned proforma. 104 healthy control children in the same age group were also interrogated.

Results

The significant sociodemographic risk factors were parental illiteracy, low socioeconomic status, overcrowding and partial immunization, [p value <0.05 in all]. Significant nutritional risk factors were administration of prelacteal feeds, early weaning, anemia, rickets and malnutrition, [p value <0.05 in all]. Significant environmental risk factors were use of kerosene lamps, biomass fuel pollution and lack of ventilation [p value <0.05 in all]. On logistic regression analysis, partial immunization, overcrowding and malnutrition were found to be significant risk factors.

Conclusion

The present study has identified various socio-demographic, nutritional and environmental modifiable risk factors for ALRI which can be tackled by effective education of the community and appropriate initiatives taken by the government.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A programme for controlling acute respiratory infections in children. Memorandum from a WHO meeting. Bulletin World Health Organization 1984; 62(1): 47–58.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sikolia DN, Mwololo K, Cherop H, Hussein, Juma M, Kurui et al. The prevalence of acute respiratory infections and the associated risk factors: A study of children under five years of age in Kibera Lindi Village, Nairobi, Kenya.J.Nal/. Inst Public Health 2002; 51(1): 67–72.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kabra SK. Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) Control program. In Ghai OP, Gupta P, Paul VK, eds. Ghai Essential Pediatrics. 5th edn. New Delhi, Interprint 2000; 349–350.

  4. Technical Basis for WHO recommendations on the management of pneumonia in children at first level Health facilities WHO/ARI/91.20 Geneva, World Health Organization, 1991.

  5. Park, K. Environment and Health In Park, K. eds. Park’s textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 17th edn. Jabalpurl M/S Banarsidas Bhanot, 2002: 489–562.

  6. Cunha AL, Margolis PA, Wing S. Community economic development and acute lower respiratory infection in children. http://ww.jhpdc.unc.edu/journal41/ecdel.pdf

  7. Broor S, Pandey RM, Ghosh M, Maitreyi RS, Lodha R, Singhal T et al. Risk factors for severe acute lower respiratory tract infection in under five children. Indian Pediatrics Dec 2001; 38: 1361–1367.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Graham NMH. The epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in children and adults. A global perspective Epidemiol. Rev 1990; 12: 149–178.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Victora CG, Smith PG, Vaughan JP, Barros FC, Fuchs SC. Risk factors for deaths due to respiratory infections among Brazilian infants. Int J Epidemiol 1989; 18: 901–908.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Illingworth RS, Normal breast feeding-physiology, chemistry and advantages. In The normal child-some problems of the early years and their treatment. Eds: Illingworth. R.S, 10th edition, New York; Churchill Livingstone, 1996; P 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Victora CG, Smith PG, Vaughan JP et al. Evidence for a strong protective effect of breast feeding against infant deaths due to infectious diseases in Brazil. Lancet 1987: ii: 319–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Lepage P, MunyaKazi C, Hennart P, Breast feeding and hospital mortality in children in Rwanda. Lancet 1981; 2: 409–411.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lukens JN: Iron metabolism and iron deficiency. In: Miller DR, Bachner RL, Miller LP, eds. Blood Diseases of Infancy and Childhood. 7th edn. USA; Mosby-year book, Inc: 1990: 193–215.

  14. Najada. AS, Habashneh MS, Khader M, The frequency of nutritional rickets among hospitalized infants and its relation to respiratory diseases. J Tropical Pediatrics 2004; 50(6): 364–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Udani PM. Vitamin D and deficiency Rickets In Udani PM, eds. Textbook of Pediatrics. 1st edn. New Delhi; Jaypee brothers 1998; 631-666.

  16. Yoon PW et al. The effect of Malnutrition on the risks of diarrheal and respiratory mortality in children less than 2 years of age in Cebu,Philippines. American J Clinical Nutrition, 1997; 65: 1070–1077.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Sehgal V, Sethi GR, Sachdev HPS, Satyanarayana L. Predictors of mortality in subjects hospitalized with Acute lower respiratory tract infections. Indian Pediatrics 1997; 34: 213–218.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Rice AL, SaccoL, Hyder A, Black RE. Malnutrition as an underlying cause of childhood deaths associated with infectious diseases in developing countries. Bulletin World Health Organization 2000; 78(10): 1207–1221.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Alleyne GAO, Hay RW, Picou DI, Stanfield JP, Whitehead RG-Interaction between infection and malnutrition In Alleyne GAO, Hay RW, Picou DI, Stanfield JP, Whitehead PG, eds. Protein Energy Malnutrition. 1st edn. New Delhi; Jaypee Brothers 1989, 93–102.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Heird WC, Vitamin deficiencies and excesses In Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB, eds. Nelson textbook of Pediatrics, 17th edn. Philadelphia; Saunders 2004; 177-190.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Smith KR, Samet JM, Romieu I, Bruce N. Indoor air pollution in developing countries and acute lower respiratory infections in children. Thorax 2000; 55: 518–531.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sharma S, Sethi GR, Rohtagi A, Chaudhary A, Shankar R, Bapna JS et al. Indoor air quality and acute lower respiratory tract infection. Indian Environ Health Perspect 1998; 106: 291–297.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Cook DG, Strachan DP. Summary of effects of parental smoking on the respiratory health of children and implications for research. Thorax 1999; 54: 357–366.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Committee on environmental Hazards. Involuntary smoking — a hazard to children. Pediatrics 1986; 77: 755–777.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Guidelines for research on acute respiratory infections: Memorandum from a WHO meeting. Bulletin World Health Organization 1982; 60(4): 521–533.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College, Mysore, India

    M. R. Savitha, S. B. Nandeeshwara, M. J. Pradeep Kumar,  Farhan-ul-haque & C. K. Raju

Authors
  1. M. R. Savitha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. B. Nandeeshwara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. J. Pradeep Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Farhan-ul-haque
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. K. Raju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. R. Savitha.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Savitha, M.R., Nandeeshwara, S.B., Pradeep Kumar, M.J. et al. Modifiable risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections. Indian J Pediatr 74, 477–482 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0081-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0081-3

Key words

Search

Navigation