Epidemiological and clinical features of community-acquired pneumonia in children (2022–2023)
N.G. TSAREVA, O.N. YASHKINA, O.V. BORISOVA
Samara State Medical University, Samara
Contact details:
Tsareva N.G. — Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Children’s Infections
Address: 89 Chapayevskaya St., 443099 Samara, Russian Federation, tel.: +7 (846) 994-75-38, e-mail: n.g.careva@samsmu.ru
The issues of early diagnosis and rational therapy of community-acquired pneumonia in children remain relevant in pediatric practice.
The purpose — to analyze the epidemiological and clinical features of community-acquired pneumonia in children in 2022–2023.
Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Children’s Polyclinic Department of Samara City Polyclinic No. 10 from January 2022 to December 2023. Retrospectively, we studied discharge summaries from medical records of children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia.
Results. In 2023, there were 4 times more diagnosed cases of community-acquired pneumonia compared to 2022. We marked seasonality of the disease in autumn and winter. Randomized by age, the age group from 3 to 7 years prevailed. The prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae was the highest among children aged 10–17 years. In the etiological structure of community-acquired pneumonias in 2022, viruses prevailed. In 2023, atypical pathogens were detected in most cases: Mycoplasma pneumoniae or its coinfection with other pathogens.
Conclusions. In 2023, there was a 4-fold increase in the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia among children. Atypical pneumonias caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and coinfections with other pathogens prevailed. All hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia must be tested for atypical pathogens.
Key words: community-acquired pneumonia, mycoplasma infection, children, epidemiology, clinical features.
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