STUDY TO ASSESS CLINICAL AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION IN CHILDREN ADMITTED TO TERTIARY CARE CENTER : A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY”

Objective : To assess the clinical and sociodemographic profile of children with acute respiratory infection admitted to a tertiary care centre. In this retrospective observational study, all paediatric patients who met Study Design: the specified inclusion criteria were enrolled in the research during a period of six months. Data pertaining to demographics such as age, gender, parental occupation, parental educational background and housing situation was gathered. Respiratory specimens (Nasopharyngeal/Throat swabs) were obtained from all patients. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was employed on the respiratory specimens. The outcomes were assessed based on the length of hospitalization, necessity for intensive care unit (ICU) intervention, occurrence of complications, and patients' immunization statuses. In the 6 month study period, there were 450 chi Results: ldren admitted with ARI, out of which 186 nasooropharyngeal swabs were sent and RSV was confirmed through RT -PCR in 0/23 in March, 0/31 in April, 0/23 in May, 12/23 in June(52%), 20/36 in July(55%),35/50 (70%) swabs sent in August. 310/450 (68.8 %) children developed pneumonia. 320/450 (71%) cases had malnutrition and 342/450 (76%) cases were immunized upto date. 210/450 (46.6%) and 180/450 (40 %) cases belonged to Lower middle and Upper lower Socioeconomic class as per Modified Kuppuswamy Classification respectively. Out of overall cases, 190/450 (42%) cases had received an antibiotic course for superadded bacterial infection and rest 260/450 (57.7 %) cases were managed symptomatically. All patients recovered completely and were discharged from the hospital. Conclusion: Increased preventive methods and treatment which includes good nutrition and immunization are key strategies to reduce outbreak of the disease.