Population-based study of acute respiratory infections in children, Greenland

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are frequent in Inuit children, in terms of incidence and severity. A cohort of 294 children <2 years of age was formed in Sisimiut, a community on the west coast of Greenland, and followed from 1996 to 1998. Data on ARI were collected during weekly visits at home and child-care centers; visits to the community health center were also recorded. The cohort had respiratory symptoms on 41.6% and fever on 4.9% of surveyed days. The incidence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections was 1.6 episodes and 0.9 episodes per 100 days at risk, respectively. Up to 65% of the episodes of ARI caused activity restriction; 40% led to contact with the health center. Compared with studies from other parts of the world, the incidence of ARI appears to be high in Inuit children.

Figure 1

Distribution of number of episodes (respiratory symptoms, reported fever, and diarrhea) per 100 days at risk in 294 children, Sisimiut, Greenland, 1996-1998.

Figure 2

Duration of episodes (respiratory symptoms, reported fever, and diarrhea) in 294 children, Sisimiut, Greenland, 1996-1998.

Figure 3

Age-specific incidence of episodes of respiratory symptoms and episodes clinically characterized as upper (URI) or lower respiratory tract infections (LRI) per 100 days at risk in 288 children, Sisimiut, Greenland, 1996-1998.

Figure 4

Incidence of clinical episodes of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRI) by calendar month in 288 children, Sisimiut, Greenland, 1996-1998.