CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT OF RESPIRATORY AILMENTS IN PAEDIATRICS: A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL STUDY
Sh Badr1, T Thanoon2, Z Althanoon1
11College of Pharmacy, University of Mosul, Iraq.
Insights
Infants with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) commonly present with shortness of breath (SOB), wheezing, and fatigue. Treatment focuses on oxygenation, hydration, and addressing the underlying infection, often viral.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Respiratory diseases are a leading cause of infant hospitalizations.
- Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) significantly increase pediatric outpatient visits and emergency department admissions.
- Understanding the clinical characteristics and therapeutic decisions for pediatric LRTIs is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation of children diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).
- To analyze the diagnostic spectrum and guide appropriate therapeutic interventions for pediatric respiratory illnesses.
- To evaluate treatment protocols for infants and young children with LRTIs.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study involving 60 children with respiratory diseases in Mosul, Iraq (January-November 2025).
- Data collection included demographics, clinical signs, examination findings, medical history, and treatment protocols.
- Information was systematically recorded using an Excel spreadsheet.
Main Results:
- The study included 60 children, predominantly under one year old.
- Shortness of breath (SOB) was the primary symptom (76.6%), often accompanied by cough (21.7%).
- Wheezing (98.3%) and consciousness (98.3%) were prevalent; fever (46.7%) and mild dehydration (5.0%) were noted. Oxygen therapy (98.3%) and antibiotics (91.7%) were common treatments.
Conclusions:
- The hallmark clinical presentation of pediatric respiratory infections includes SOB, cough, fatigue, and impaired feeding.
- Diagnosis frequently points towards viral lower respiratory tract infections in this pediatric cohort.
- Effective treatment necessitates prioritizing infection management, oxygenation support, and rehydration.
Background:
Respiratory diseases are common ailments in infants, increasing the outpatient visits and emergency department admissions. The present study sought to find out the characteristics of children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), focusing on the clinical spectrum of diagnosis and the right decision of the therapy.
Methods:
This clinical prospective observational study conducted from Mosul, Iraq, during the period January 2025 to November 2025, recruited 60 children presenting with respiratory diseases. Demographics, clinical signs, examination findings, medical history, and treatment protocols were collected in an Excel spreadsheet.
Results:
The total number of children enrolled in the present study was 60, with ages mostly less than one year. The clinical presentation of children is sharing SOB either alone 46 (76.6%), SOB + cough (n=13, 21.7%), and SOB + cyanosis (n=1,1.7%). The duration of symptoms ranged from a day to a week, with most patients showing a duration of 2-4 days. The clinical findings revealed that most participants (98.3%) showed wheezing. The majority (98.3%) were conscious. Fever was presented as 46.7% (28/60) febrile and 53.3% (32/60) afebrile. Hydration recorded that 41.7% (25/60) were well hydrated, while only (5.0%, 3/60) presented with mild dehydration. Laboratory findings revealed that only 3 patients were positive for C-reactive protein testing. The patients' drug records demonstrated that 59 (98.3%) were given oxygen therapy, 91.7% antibiotics, 83.3% corticosteroids (inhaler and or injection), 58.3% bronchodilators alongside antipyretic and IV fluids.
Conclusion:
The central clinical picture of respiratory infection in children was SOB leading to cough, fatigue and reduced breathing, which impedes feeding. The diagnosis confirms that the children were mostly having viral lower respiratory tract infections. The treatment should be directed firstly against infection, replenish oxygenation and manage dehydration due to impaired feeding.
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