DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i06.069

Pages: 3199-3203

Pneumonia has become the number one cause of under-five mortality contributing to 19% of deaths all over the world. More than 95% of all new cases of pneumonia in children, less than 5 years occur in developing countries, due to increased prevalence of under nutrition. Morbidity and mortality due to Pneumonia is unacceptably high in malnourished children. Objective of the present study was to find out an association between severity of under nutrition and Pneumonia in children aged 2m-5y, those admitted in Mamata General Hospital, Khammam, from August 2012 to July 2013. Malnourished children of either gender from 2m-5y of age with the clinical diagnosis of severe Pneumonia, made according to WHO guidelines and radiologically confirmed cases, were classified into various grades of nutritional status based on IAP classification of malnutrition. A total of 150 malnourished children between 2m-5y admitted in pediatric ward were studied. 110 children had Non-significant malnutrition (grade I&II) and 40 had significant malnutrition (grade III&IV). Of total 69 children with Pneumonia, 47(31%) had severe and 22(15%) had very severe Pneumonia. 43(39%) of children with Non-significant malnutrition had Pneumonia compared to 26(65%) of children with Significant malnutrition (P value < 0.05). Of them 10(9%) of non-significant malnutrition had very severe Pneumonia compared to 12(30%) of Significant malnutrition. Tachypnea (91%), chest indrawing (88%), fever (72%) and cough (66%) were the commonest presentations. 20 (48.7%) of Non-significant malnutrition had >7ds of hospital stay compared to 18 (78.3%) of Significant malnutrition (P value <0.05). 5 (7%) with Pneumonia have expired. Malnutrition is a significant risk factor for Pneumonia. Severity of malnutrition is a significant risk factor for increased severity of Pneumonia, longer duration of hospital stay and mortality from Pneumonia in children under 5yrs.