Publication:

Epidemiologic pattern of respiratory diseases among hospitalized pediatric patients in Khulna, Bangladesh

Background High burden of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) with a significant rate of mortality is notable in developing countries including Bangladesh. Despite the frequent reports of ARIs, the exact prevalence and spectrum of ARIs in this country is unknown even at subnational level. The aim of the study was to determine of current spectrum of respiratory diseases of children in Bangladesh.

Methods The current study analyzed 2993 pediatric patients admitted form June 2019 to January 2020 into Khulna Shishu Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh using a quantitative interpretative approach.

Results A total of 1382 patients (46.17%) were admitted because of ARIs and were predominately male children (65.77%). Among different ARIs, hospitalization was mainly due to lower tract respiratory infections (LRTI) and the prevalent cases of ARIs could be classified into undifferentiated ARI (20.92%), pneumonia (14.84%) and LRTI other than pneumonia and bronchitis (9.02%), bronchitis (1.40%). Mortality rate was observed 2.51%, although the highest rate of mortality (65%) was recorded among the infant age groups.

Conclusions This study showed the risk group and risk factors of developing severity in ARIs leading to a high hospitalization rate due to ARIs among children in Bangladesh. More such studies at national level are required to develop proper combating strategy to decrease the mortality and the morbidity associated with ARIs in the country.