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Review
. 2017 Jan:21:102-110.
doi: 10.1016/j.prrv.2016.07.004. Epub 2016 Jul 18.

Child pneumonia - focus on the Western Pacific Region

T K P Nguyen  1 , T H Tran  2 , C L Roberts  3 , S M Graham  4 , B J Marais  5
Affiliations
Review

Child pneumonia - focus on the Western Pacific Region

T K P Nguyen et al. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Worldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in infants and young children (aged <5 years). We provide an overview of the global pneumonia disease burden, as well as the aetiology and management practices in different parts of the world, with a specific focus on the WHO Western Pacific Region. In 2011, the Western Pacific region had an estimated 0.11 pneumonia episodes per child-year with 61,900 pneumonia-related deaths in children less than 5 years of age. The majority (>75%) of pneumonia deaths occurred in six countries; Cambodia, China, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Historically Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the commonest causes of severe pneumonia and pneumonia-related deaths in young children, but this is changing with the introduction of highly effective conjugate vaccines and socio-economic development. The relative contribution of viruses and atypical bacteria appear to be increasing and traditional case management approaches may require revision to accommodate increased uptake of conjugated vaccines in the Western Pacific region. Careful consideration should be given to risk reduction strategies, enhanced vaccination coverage, improved management of hypoxaemia and antibiotic stewardship.

Keywords: Child; acute respiratory infection; aetiology; antibiotic stewardship; epidemiology; management; pneumonia; vaccination.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimated incidence of clinical pneumonia in children less than 5 years of age (2008).* Small circles represent island populations. *Adapted from World Health Organization 2008 .
Figure 2
Figure 2
Global tuberculosis incidence estimates (2014).* Small circles represent island populations. *Adapted from World Health Organization 2015 .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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