NECROTIC PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN IN THE POST-EPIDEMIC PERIOD OF COVID-19 INFECTION: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF PATIENTS TREATED AT THE NATIONAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL "OKHMATDYT"

International medical literature reports an increased incidence of complicated community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases among children during the post-pandemic period of COVID-19, which researchers attribute to immune status deterioration resulting from prolonged quarantine measures and decreased immunization rates. This article presents a 10-year analysis of pediatric CAP hospitalizations, including complicated cases of necrotizing pneumonia (NP), at the National Children's Hospital "Okhmatdyt". The study confirms a rising trend in hospital admissions for both CAP and its complicated forms. Two distinct peaks in hospitalization rates were observed in 2018 and 2023: The first peak coincided with influenza A and B virus circulation during healthcare system reorganization, while the second occurred during concurrent influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 circulation following the discontinuation of quarantine measures in pediatric populations. Consistent with European studies, we identified a significant correlation between NP hospitalization rates and acute respiratory infection (ARI) incidence, particularly influenza A and COVID-19. High-risk groups for complicated CAP progression were identified as preschool and early school-aged children. The study also examined factors affecting total hospitalization duration in pediatric patients.