Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria
11:32

Following in Real Time the Impact of Pneumococcal Virulence Factors in an Acute Mouse Pneumonia Model Using Bioluminescent Bacteria

Published on: February 23, 2014

Risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia in pre-school-aged children

Cameron C Grant1, Diane Emery, Tania Milne

  • 1Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. cc.grant@auckland.ac.nz

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|November 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Poor housing conditions and nutritional status are key risk factors for childhood pneumonia in New Zealand. Interventions should focus on improving living environments and nutrition to reduce disease burden.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
  • Environmental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of childhood morbidity.
  • Identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine risk factors associated with the development of CAP in children.
  • To identify risk factors for hospitalisation due to CAP in children.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted in urban Auckland, New Zealand (2002-2004) involving children under 5 years old.
  • Pneumonia cases (hospitalised and emergency department) were compared to a community control group.
  • Adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess risk.

Main Results:

  • Risk factors for pneumonia included lower weight-for-height, reduced outdoor time, prior chest infections, and bedroom mould.
  • Risk factors for pneumonia hospitalisation included maternal pneumonia history, household crowding, cigarette smoke exposure, and bedroom mould.

Conclusions:

  • Lower quality living environments, including mould and crowding, significantly increase pneumonia risk and hospitalisation.
  • Poor nutritional status and exposure to cigarette smoke are also critical risk factors.
  • Improving housing quality, reducing smoke exposure, and enhancing early childhood nutrition can decrease the burden of childhood pneumonia.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:29

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention01:30

Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention

Nursing management of pneumonia involves promoting airway patency, facilitating rest and conserving energy, encouraging fluid intake, maintaining nutrition, and educating patients.
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...