FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVERITY OF COMMUNITY - ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN AT CAN THO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, 2024 - 2025
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Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the factors associated with the severity of community - acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children at Can Tho Children’s Hospital from 2024 to 2025.
Methods: A cross - sectional descriptive study was conducted on 113 children admitted to the Respiratory Department of Can Tho Children’s Hospital from June 2024 to June 2025.
Results: Children with CAP are most commonly under 5 years of age (71.7%). The predominant clinical symptoms included cough (100%), fever (87.6%), tachypnea (87.6%), and crackles (89.4%). Elevated neutrophil count accounted for 61.1% and lymphocytes accounted for 54.9%. Severe CAP accounted for 18.6%. Tachycardia and elevated lymphocyte count were significantly associated with severe CAP, with odds ratios of 6.18 (95%CI: 1.72 - 22.12; p=0.005) and 4.41 (95%CI: 1.14 - 17.09; p=0.032), respectively.
Conclusion: Tachycardia and elevated lymphocyte count are two independent factors significantly associated with the severity of CAP in children.
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Keywords
Pneumonia, associated factors, severity, children, Can Tho
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