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Epidemiologic risk factors for children with acute lower respiratory tract infection in Buenos Aires, Argentina: a

M C Cerqueiro1, P Murtagh, A Halac

  • 1Ricardo Gutierrez Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Reviews of Infectious Diseases
|November 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

This study identified key risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) in children. Host condition, family illness, and indoor contaminants significantly increase ALRI risk in both hospitalized and ambulatory patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide.
  • Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the risk factors for ALRI in hospitalized and ambulatory pediatric patients.
  • To identify common and distinct predisposing factors for ALRI in different patient groups.

Main Methods:

  • A matched case-control study was conducted with 516 hospitalized and 154 ambulatory ALRI patients.
  • Control groups were selected from children attending immunization and well-baby clinics.
  • Matching criteria included sex, age, nutritional status, socioeconomic level, season, and residence.

Main Results:

  • Four key risk factors demonstrated the highest odds ratios for both hospitalized and ambulatory ALRI patients.
  • These factors included host-related conditions (bronchial hyperreactivity, persistent upper respiratory symptoms), family history (household acute respiratory disease), and environmental exposures (indoor contaminants).

Conclusions:

  • Bronchial hyperreactivity, persistent upper respiratory symptoms, family history of respiratory illness, and indoor environmental contaminants are significant risk factors for pediatric ALRI.
  • These findings highlight the importance of addressing host, family, and environmental factors in preventing ALRI.

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