Clinical profile and underlying causes of recurrent pneumonia in young children

Background: Recurrent pneumonia is a significant health concern in children, often associated with underlying medical conditions and substantial morbidity. Identifying risk factors, clinical profiles and underlying causes are essential for timely diagnosis and management. Methods: This cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute from January to June 2022, involving 50 children aged 2 months to 5 years with recurrent pneumonia. Data were collected on clinical symptoms, underlying conditions, physical findings, immunization status, radiographic, laboratory and specialized testing findings. Results: Cough was present in 100% of cases, followed by respiratory distress (78%) and fever (66%). Congenital heart disease was the most common underlying condition (22%), followed by developmental delay (16%) and cystic fibrosis (10%). Respiratory distress was observed in 78% of patients, with crackles (66%) and wheezing (32%) as common auscultatory findings. Bronchopneumonia was the predominant chest x-ray finding (72%), while CT scans revealed consolidation in 48.6% of cases. Sweat chloride testing confirmed cystic fibrosis in 10% of cases and echocardiography identified congenital heart disease in 31.3%. Conclusions: Recurrent pneumonia in children is frequently associated with congenital heart disease, developmental delay and cystic fibrosis. Radiographic findings, laboratory investigations and specialized testing are crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. Timely identification of risk factors and adherence to immunization schedules are essential to reduce disease burden.