Work

Length of hospital stay in children with severe community-acquired pneumonia: Influence of clinical and laboratory parameters

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Hospitalisation due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) burdens healthcare expenditure. Little is known regarding clinical and laboratory markers as predictors of length of hospital stay (LOHS) in CAP. Objectives: To assess the influence of clinical and laboratory parameters on the LOHS in children with severe CAP. Method: This is a prospective cohort study of 159 hospitalised children with severe CAP. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the factors associated with LOHS. Results: One-third had very severe CAP, and 38.4% had chest x-ray endpoint consolidations. Nasopharyngeal polymerase chain reaction revealed 89.2% viruses, 37% being due to respiratory syncytial virus. Median (IQR) LOHS was 5 (3-8) days. LOHS was longer in children with endpoint consolidation (aOR:3.14, 95% CI:1.268, 7.775), C-reactive protein (CRP) >100mg/L (aOR:4.171, 95% CI:1.069, 16.278), very-severe pneumonia (aOR:22.38 95% CI: 7.214, 69.428), and low income (aOR:3.29, 95% CI: 1.279, 8.492), Conclusions: Chest x-ray findings, CRP level, pneumonia severity on admission and socioeconomic variables predicted LOHS.

Source: Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health

DOI: 10.4038/sljch.v54i1.11117

Authors: Madhusha Gonapaladeniya, Thushari Dissanayake, Madurika Kavirathna, Guwani Liyanage

Institution: University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Language: English

Topic: Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: University of Sri Jayewardenepura