Clinical features of community-acquired pneumonia in children with iron deficiency anemia

Relevance: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population, particularly in the presence of comorbid conditions such as iron deficiency anemia (IDA), which complicates the course of pneumonia, increases the risk of complications and recurrences, and impairs the child’s immune function. Therefore, there is a need to improve the diagnostic and treatment approaches for CAP in children with IDA. The study aimed to investigate the clinical features of community-acquired pneumonia in young children with iron deficiency anemia. Materials and Methods: The study included 40 children divided into two groups: children with CAP and moderate IDA (n = 20) and children with CAP without IDA (n = 20). A comparative analysis of the clinical manifestations and duration of pneumonia was conducted. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis methods were applied. Results: The results demonstrated that children with CAP and IDA had a more severe and prolonged course of pneumonia, characterized by pronounced respiratory failure and a longer recovery period, compared to children without IDA. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and correction of IDA in treating CAP in children. Conclusion: The study of the clinical features of CAP in children, depending on the presence of IDA, remains relevant, particularly given the differences in clinical presentation. Investigating the characteristics of CAP in children with comorbid conditions is important for determining severity criteria and improving treatment strategies.