Evaluation of clinical, hematological and radiological parameters among Bangladeshi children with pneumonia

Background: Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years worldwide and poses a major burden in Bangladesh. This study compared the clinical, hematological, and radiological features of pneumonia among Bangladeshi children. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Shishu Sasthya Foundation (SSF), Dhaka, from July to December 2012. Fifty children with clinically and radiologically confirmed pneumonia were enrolled as cases, along with 50 age-matched children with common cold as controls. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, complete blood count, and chest X-ray. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and independent sample t-test in SPSS version 26. Results: Most cases were male (72%) and aged 7–12 months (58%). Fast breathing, chest indrawing, and crepitations were present in all cases but absent in controls. Anemia occurred in 84% of cases versus 44% of controls. Cases had significantly higher WBC counts (14432±2144 vs. 8310±853) and neutrophil percentages (71.22±10.03 vs. 55.08±7.11), while MCV, MCH, and MCHC were significantly lower. Chest X-ray showed patchy opacity in 86% and consolidation in 14% of cases. Conclusions: Pneumonia in Bangladeshi children was characterized by distinct clinical features, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and microcytic hypochromic anemia, with patchy opacity as the predominant radiological finding. Integrating clinical, hematological, and radiological assessments may improve diagnosis, evaluation, and management.