Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
There are many children suffering from Recurrent Pneumonia (RP). Children with RP may present a
difficult diagnostic challenge.
OBJECTIVE:
This study was performed to evaluate the frequency levels and underlying causes of RP in Children
Welfare Teaching Hospital (CWTH)/Medical City/Baghdad.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
In this prospective hospital-based cross-sectional study, 107 children admitted with RP in CWTH in
the period from March to July 2014. Children were included in this study if they had at least 2 times
pneumonia per year or three ever in life proved by radiographic confirmation during hospital
admission. Children were classified according to underlying diseases associated with Pneumonia.
RESULTS:
Based on the clinical features and the results of the investigations, the underlying disease could be
identified in 92/107 (86%) children. Aspiration pneumonia was diagnosed in 25 (23.4%) children,
followed by congenital heart disease (CHD) in 22(20.6%) children, Asthma in 21 (19.6%), these three
diseases were the most frequent with a relatively small difference between them. TB was reported in
9 (9.3%) children, Cystic fibrosis (CF) in 9(8.3%), Fibrosing alveolitis and immune deficiency were
found in 2 (1.9%) children for each and the least frequent disease was congenital cystic adenomatoid
malformation (CCAM) in one (0.9%) child. On the other hand, 15 (14%) children were reported with
unknown diagnosis at the time of data collection.
CONCLUSION:
Most children with RP had an underlying disease for each, which was demonstrated. Aspiration
syndrome, CHD, and asthma were the most common underlying diseases that result in RP in children.
Early diagnosis is essential to ensure optimal treatment and to minimize irreversible lung damage.
.