Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of micro-organisms. In babies & children who develop Pneumonia often do not have any specific signs of chest infection but develop a fever, appear quite ill and can become lethargic. In children Pneumococcus & Hib ( H. influenzae type b ) bacteria are responsible for 30 - 50% & 10 - 30% of Pneumonia cases respectively followed by S. Aurea's & K. pneumoniae. Besides, respiratory Syncytial virus & HIV epidemic have also a very significant role in childhood Pneumonia.
In developing countries most common causes of childhood Pneumonia are as follows:-
1.Definite risk factors :-
A. Malnutrition. B. Low birth weight. C. Non-exclusive breast feeding D. Lack of timely immunization of measles. E. Indoor air pollution. F. Crowding. 2. Likely risk factors :-
A. Parental smoking. B. Zinc deficiency. C. Mother's experience as a care giver. D. Concomitant diseases like diarrhoea, heart disease, asthma. Besides, some possible factors like humidity, birth order, vitamin-a deficiency, mother's education, day care attendance & outdoor pollution etc also play a very significant role. To control the childhood Pneumonia besides taking care of all these factors it is very important to vaccinate all children against two most widespread bacteria i.e. Pneumococcus & Hib. In the eve of World Pneumonia Day i.e. celebrated on 12th November..... prevent Pneumonia.....control child mortality.
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