Persistent pneumonia: Underlying cause and outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the causes and contributing factors of persistent pneumonia in children.

METHODS

41 cases with persistent pneumonia were investigated (biochemical, microbiological, histopathological, immunological and radiological tests) to find out the underlying cause.

RESULTS

Out of 41 cases, 8 had pulmonary tuberculosis and 12 had Gram negative bacterial infections, 12 had aspiration due to gastroesophageal reflux disease or oil instillation, 3 had immunodeficiency due to HIV infection, 2 had congenital lung malformation, 2 had cardiac disorders and one had foreign body aspiration as causes of persistent pneumonia. The etiology could not be established in one case.

CONCLUSION

The most common underlying cause of persistent pneumonia were persistent infection followed by aspiration and acquired immunodeficiency.