Clinical epidemiological behavior of pneumonia and re-emergence of pathogens in the post-pandemic era

Introduction:Pneumonia remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality in children. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the biosecurity measures applied reduced the transmissibility of the virus; however, after the relaxation of the restrictions, there is evidence of virus circulation with changes in seasonality. The objective of the study was to determine the clinical-epidemiological profile and etiological agents involved in pneumonia in children admitted to the Ambato General Hospital in the post-pandemic era.Methodology:Prospective, observational and analytical study that evaluated 100 children with a diagnosis of pneumonia, aged between 1 month and 10 years, in the period September 2023 to August 2024. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were processed in the microchip array system and clinical and paraclinical variables were analyzed.Results:The most affected age group was 37 to 60 months; gestational age influenced clinical severity but not exclusive breastfeeding. The etiologic agents identified were respiratory syncytial virus RSV (31 %), rhinovirus/enterovirus (23 %), metapneumovirus (20 %), with september being the month of highest circulation; wet cough, rhinorrhea, respiratory distress and rales were the frequent clinical expression. CRP was not related to severity; hemogram showed an inverse relationship between leukocytes and lymphocytes. Interstitial and alveolar interstitial radiological pattern was the most frequent.Conclusions:Pneumonia continues to be a threat to children under 5 years of age. After the pandemic, the seasonality and behavior of viruses and bacteria changed, with outbreaks of pneumonia and unusual respiratory infections.