Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, RESPIRATORY FEATURES, AND LABORATORY FINDINGS WITH BRONCHOPNEUMONIA IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Lahari Kommi*, Tirumerlla Karuna, Jyothisree Velampalli, Velugu Revanth Kumar

ABSTRACT

This research journal investigates a prospective cross sectional study on clinical characteristics, respiratory features, and laboratory findings with bronchopneumonia in pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital. Bronchopneumonia is a respiratory condition characterized by inflammation of the bronchioles and alveoli, primarily resulting from bacterial infections. Symptoms may differ based on the children’s age group, clinical characteristics, respiratory features, and laboratory findings. This study analyzed 150 pediatric bronchopneumonia cases, revealing higher susceptibility in the 0–5 years age group (over 80%), with male predominance. Fever (98.6%), cold (94.6%), and cough (90.6%) were the most common symptoms. Respiratory distress affected 136 patients, mainly younger children. Sepsis (64 cases) was more prevalent in this group, while chest pain was more common inolder children. Anemia (128 cases), leukocytosis (72 cases), and elevated CRP levels (139 cases) were frequent. Chest X-ray findings showed patchy infiltrates (76.6%), pleural effusion (78%), and bronchial thickening (50.6%). Younger children’s vulnerability highlights the need for early intervention.

Keywords: Prospective cross sectional studies, Bronchopneumonia, Chest X-ray, Pleural effusion, C-reactive protein, Patchy infiltrates.