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A community-based study of acute respiratory tract infections in children in Uruguay
M Hortal1, A Benitez, M Contera
1Central Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Public Health, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Insights
This study found that young children, especially infants, experience frequent acute respiratory tract infections (ARI). Rates were highest in the first year of life and during colder months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are a significant health concern in young children.
- Socioeconomic factors can influence the incidence and severity of pediatric ARI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and patterns of ARI in children under five years old.
- To identify risk factors associated with ARI in a specific community.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal, community-based study involving 166 families in a socioeconomically depressed area.
- Regular home visits by pediatricians to record ARI symptoms and signs over a period of approximately 2.5 years.
Main Results:
- The incidence of ARI was 5.8 episodes per child-year in the first year of life, decreasing with age.
- Infants aged 1-5 months had the highest ARI rates.
- Lower respiratory tract infections occurred more frequently than upper respiratory tract infections.
- ARI rates were elevated during colder months.
Conclusions:
- Young children, particularly infants, are highly susceptible to ARI.
- ARI incidence is influenced by age and season.
- Further research may be needed to identify significant risk factors for ARI in this population.
Abstract:
Acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) was investigated in children less than 5 years old in a longitudinal community-based study of 166 families living in a socioeconomically depressed area in Montevideo, Uruguay. Pediatricians made home visits every 10 days from May 1985 to December 1987, and symptoms and signs of ARI were recorded. The incidence of ARI was 5.8 episodes per child-year during the first 12 months of life and decreased with increasing age of the index children; the rate was highest in children 1-5 months old. Children observed from birth were ill during 21% of the visits. According to the definitions of the study, the incidence of lower respiratory tract infection was 11.6% higher than the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections. The rates of ARI were higher during the colder months. Most risk factors for ARI were only marginally statistically significant.