MICROBIOLOGICAL CAUSE AND UNDERLYING CAUSE OF RECURRENT PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN AT THE RESPIRATORY CENTER, VIETNAM NATIONAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
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Abstract
Objective: To describe microbiological cause and underlying cause of recurrent pneumonia in children 2025-2026
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 260 children aged 15 years or younger with recurrent pneumonia between August 01, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
Results: A total of 260 children with recurrent pneumonia (RP), microbiological pathogens were identified in 69,6%. Bacteria predominated (40.8%), followed by viruses (28.8%), only one case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and one case of Aspergillus infection. The main bacterial pathogens were Haemophilus influenzae (31.1%), Moraxella catarrhalis (31.1%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (17%), isolated from respiratory tract secretions. The other pathogens were less common such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae (6,6%) were detected by RT-PCR. Respiratory syncytial virus RSV was the leading viral pathogen (79,2%), followed by Adenovirus (15.6%) and a smaller proportion of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) cases. Underlying causes were diagnosed in 60,8% of patients, with 21.9% having multiple comorbidities, mainly respiratory abnormalities such as airway congenital malformations (18.4%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (16.5%); cardiovascular diseases (27.8%); immune disorders (13.9%); neurological cause such as cerebral palsy (12%), epilepsy (8.2%).
Conclusions: Community-acquired bacteria were the leading pathogens in RP children, mainly Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, isolated from respiratory tract secretions. Viral pathogens, particularly RSV were also common. Most patients had underlying cause, predominantly respiratory and cardiovascular abnormalities, highlighting the need for systematic evaluation in the management of RP.
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Keywords
recurrent pneumonia, children, underlying cause, bacteria, virus
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