X-RAY CHEST FINDINGS IN CHILDREN AGED 2 MONTHS TO 59 MONTHS CLASSIFIED AS PNEUMONIA ACCORDING TO IMNCI GUIDELINES

X-Ray Chest Findings According to IMNCI Guidelines

Abstract

Objective: To determine the x-ray chest findings in children aged 02 months to 59 months classified as
pneumonia according to IMNCI guidelines.
Study Design: Descriptive case series.
Place and Duration of Study: This descriptive case series study of six months was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted on the children who met the inclusion as well as exclusion criteria of the study. All the patients presented with history of cough and/or difficult breathing, on physical examination having (i) fast breathing (respiratory rate >50/min if age 2-11 months, rate >40/min if age 12-59 months) or (ii) lower chest wall in-drawing was admitted in the ward and further evaluate for x-ray chest findings specific for pneumonia by advising chest radiograph.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 11.2 ± 5.6 months with age range of 02-59 months. There were 92 (55.8%) male and 73 (44.2%) female patients. There were 64 (38.8%) patients who had consolidation and 66 (40%) patients had reticular shadowing on chest x-ray.
Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that considering/ evaluating x-ray chest findings in children
according to IMNCI guidelines was a better approach for diagnosing pneumonia. This would certainly contribute towards evidence based clinical assessment of suspected cases of pneumonia.