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. 2022 Jan;16(1):142-150.
doi: 10.1111/irv.12911. Epub 2021 Sep 15.

Epidemiology of acute lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations in Thai children: A 5-year national data analysis

Phanthila Sitthikarnkha  1 , Rattapon Uppala  1 , Sirapoom Niamsanit  1 , Sumitr Sutra  1 , Kaewjai Thepsuthammarat  2 , Leelawadee Techasatian  1 , Jamaree Teeratakulpisarn  1
Affiliations

Epidemiology of acute lower respiratory tract infection hospitalizations in Thai children: A 5-year national data analysis

Phanthila Sitthikarnkha et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are the most common cause for hospitalization in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients with LRTIs are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The national data analysis of epidemiologic variations facilitates awareness and develops solutions to prevent these conditions in the future.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology, causative pathogens, morbidity, and mortality of LRTIs in pediatric patients of Thailand from 2015 to 2019.

Methods: This was a retrospective study among pediatric patients aged between 0 and 18 years old admitted in hospitals due to LRTIs in Thailand from January 2015 to December 2019. The data were extracted from National Health Security Office using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, Thai Modification; ICD-10-TM of J09 to J22.

Results: A total of 1,423,509 children hospitalized due to LRTIs were identified. Most of the patients were of age 1-5 years. Pneumonia was the most common LRTI (876,557 children, 61.58%) in hospitalized children. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the main etiologic pathogen of bronchiolitis, which presents in approximately 10.86% of all episodes. Influenza viruses were found predominantly in children with pneumonia (15.52%). The mortality rate since 2015-2019 was highest in pneumonia under 1 year old (P < 0.001). Pneumonia in children under 5 years old had the highest mortality rate, which accounted for 11.85 per 100,000 children in 2019.

Conclusions: LRTIs had a high incidence rate of hospitalization and mortality, especially in children under 5 years old. Influenza virus was the most common pathogen of pneumonia.

Keywords: children; hospitalization; lower respiratory tract infection; mortality; pneumonia.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Monthly climate trends of number of admissions in children with influenza lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) from 2015 to 2019
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Distribution of number of admissions in children with influenza lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) divided by the region of Thailand
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Monthly climate trends of number of admissions in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) from 2015 to 2019
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Distribution of number of admissions in children with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) divided by region of Thailand
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
The mortality rate of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in Thai children during 2015–2019
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
The mortality rate of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in Thai children during 2015–2019
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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