Abstract

Globally, acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five, particularly pneumonia. In 2019, pneumonia claimed 740,180 children's lives, constituting 14% of under-five deaths, with a child succumbing every 39 seconds. Predisposing factors vary, including low birth weight, pollutants, inadequate nutrition, and low maternal education. This study aims to assess the impact of socio-demographic factors on respiratory infection severity in pediatric patients.

A cross-sectional study included 221 pediatric patients with respiratory infections, analyzing socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. Statistical methods explored relationships between socio-demographics, lifestyle, and infection severity.

Descriptive statistics showed quasi-equal gender distribution and a mean age of 4.88 years with a normal distribution. Seasonal variations had gender and environment correlations, but chi-square tests found no statistical differences. Bivariate correlations revealed significant associations between gender and hospitalization days, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin values.

This study sheds light on socio-demographic factors influencing respiratory infections in pediatric patients, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Details

Title
Is there a Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Lifestyle and the Severity of Respiratory Infections in Pediatric Patients?
Author
Barbu, Raisa-Eloise 1 ; Roxana-Elena Bogdan-Goroftei 2 ; Bogdan, Mircea Pompiliu 3 ; Claudiu Elisei Tanase 4 ; Marin, Cristina Mihaela 2 ; Alexia Anastasia Baltă 5 ; Silvia Aura Costin 1 

 Pediatric Departament. Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children "Sfântul Ioan", Galaţi, Romania 
 Pediatric Departament. Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children "Sfântul Ioan", Galaţi, Romania; Clinical Medical Department, ”Dunărea de Jos” University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Galati, Romania 
 ICU Departament, County Emergency Clinical Hospital Sfântul Apostol Andrei, Galati, Romania 
 Department of Morphological and Functional Sciences, Dunărea de Jos” University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Galati, Romania 
 Medical Department, ”Dunărea de Jos” University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Galati, Romania 
Pages
127-132
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
De Gruyter Poland
ISSN
12239666
e-ISSN
18414036
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3159014724
Copyright
© 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.