Regresar

Acute respiratory infections in children under 5 years from the javier loyola health center, Ecuador

Abstract:

Objective: To determine the main infectious respiratory pathologies and its clinical characteristics in children under 5 years treated at the Javier Loyola Health Center, in Azogues, Ecuador. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and retrospective study in children under 5 years with a diagnosis of acute respiratory infection (ARI) evaluated in the emergency service of the mentioned health center, the clinical record of medical histories were used. Results: Out of the 146 patients evaluated, 53.4% (n=78) were male, the most frequent age group was 2-5 years (52.7%; n=77), the low weight was the most frequent nutritional status (45.9%; n =67), the majority received breastfeeding more than 6 months (62.3%; n=91), 67.1% (n=98) lived in some condition of overcrowding, 52.1% (n=76) had basic home services and 55.5% (n= 1) of their representatives (mothers or guardians) had only primary education, the most frequent type of ARI was rhinopharyngitis (39.7%; n=58), followed by pharyngotonsillitis (23.3%; n=34) and bronchiolitis (10.9%; n=16). Conclusion: This report demonstrates the epidemiological profile of children under 5 years with ARI, rhinopharyngitis being the most frequent type and among clinical features, the prevalence in men, aged 2-5 years, with low weight during valuation, low schooling in representatives, as well as overcrowding and lack of basic services in a significant number of households.