Tanveer Sarfraz.
Acute Respiratory Infections in Children.
Pak Armed Forces Med J Jan ;46(2):28-32.

An analysis of outpatient attendance and admission of children under 12 years of age for the year 1991 was carried out at Naval Hospital Islamabad to observe the prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) cases. It was found that the ARI cases from outpatients were 46% and 36% from total admissions. Seasonal variation of these cases was seen with a larger peak in winter and smaller peak in summer. In outpatients, majority of the cases were of Upper Acute Respiratory Infections (URTI) Le 72% and in the ward majority of the cases were of Lower Acute Respiratory Infections (LARI) Le 68%. An overall male predonderance was seen in 59% of admissions. Out of ARI admissions in small children, the number of LARI cases was high Le 91 % were under 5 years of age whereas in older children the number of UARI was more Le, 54% cases were over 5 years. Low socioeconomic status was found in majority [74%] of ARI admissions. Associated illnesses like malnutrition, rickets, febrile fits and VSD were seen in 38% of the total admission. So chest radiographs were not considered essential in majority of the cases of pneumonia as regards diagnosis and management. Maximum number of LARI [73%] & UARI [62%] admissions responded to parentral Ampicillin.

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