Factors Associated with Complicated Pneumonia in the Pediatric Population Treated at a National Referral Hospital

Castillo C.F.A.; Diaz M.A.A. · Revista Cubana de Pediatria (2026)

Resumen

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia is a lower respiratory infection caused by bacteria or viruses. When it presents local or systemic complications, it requires specialized hospitalization and timely, comprehensive, multidisciplinary management. Objective: To determine the factors associated with complicated community-acquired pneumonia in children under five years of age, between 2015 and 2024. Methods: An analytical observational case-control study was conducted, based on the review of medical records of children under five years of age hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia at the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño de Breña. Clinical, laboratory, and microbiological variables were evaluated. Bivariate analysis was performed, followed by multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with the presence of complications. Results: A total of 150 patients (50 cases and 100 controls) were included. In the multivariate analysis, incomplete breastfeeding (OR = 5.09; 95% CI: 1.04-24.80; p = 0.044), C-reactive protein ≥ 20 mg/dL (OR = 8.18; 95% CI: 1.28-52.49; p = 0.027), and isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae (OR = 11.63; 95% CI: 2.50-54.22; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with complicated community-acquired pneumonia. Conclusions: In children under five years of age hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia, incomplete breastfeeding, C-reactive protein ≥ 20 mg/dL, and isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae were identified as factors associated with the complicated form of the disease.

Instituciones: Universidad Ricardo Palma