Reasons why children with pneumonia are prone to relapse

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the small bronchi and damaged alveoli, causing gas exchange disorders and airway obstruction. Patients have symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing, chest retraction, sternum retraction, and chest pain. In some cases, children are lethargic, difficult to wake up, refuse to breastfeed or breastfeed poorly, vomit repeatedly, have convulsions, etc.

Dr. Do Thi Hanh, Department of Pediatrics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that the cause of pneumonia in children is often due to influenza virus, RSV, Adenovirus, Rhinovirus… or bacteria, parasites, fungi. Pneumonia can be treated in an average of 5-7 days, however, the disease can recur many times, increasing the risk of complications. There are many causes leading to this condition that parents need to pay attention to in order to protect their child’s health.

Habitat and weather

The respiratory system is very sensitive to changes in the environment and weather. Children who are frequently exposed to dust and cigarette smoke can damage epithelial cells, reduce the concentration of antibodies, reduce the concentration of macrophages, lymphocytes… in the airways. This creates conditions for viruses and bacteria to easily penetrate the respiratory system and cause disease. The changing seasons and erratic temperature changes make it difficult for children’s bodies to adapt, making them susceptible to respiratory infections such as pneumonia.

Immune system is not yet complete

After birth, the baby is protected mainly by the amount of maternal IgA antibodies transmitted through the placenta and breast milk. In children, the synthesis of IgA is much slower than the synthesis of other immunoglobulins. Therefore, the concentration of IgA is low in serum and respiratory secretions. The ability to mobilize and coordinate immune cells is slow, and the resistance to infection is weak. An incomplete immune system is a favorable condition that makes children susceptible to respiratory infections.

Congenital disease

Some children with congenital diseases such as pulmonary hypoplasia, congenital heart disease with left-right shunt, immunodeficiency, neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis… have a higher risk of pneumonia than healthy children.

Nutritional status

Malnourished children have reduced resistance, leading to an increased risk of developing pneumonia. Severe or prolonged pneumonia aggravates malnutrition by increasing energy needs while reducing digestive capacity, limiting the body’s ability to absorb and metabolize. This is a vicious cycle that causes the child’s illness to progress severely.

Mistakes in child care

Children are often hyperactive, active and sweat easily. If sweat is not dried, it will seep back in, causing the child to catch a cold and easily get an infection. Children who sweat a lot often feel hot, adults turning down the air conditioner or turning on the fan too loud to cool the child can also cause the child to suddenly catch a cold.

Arbitrary use of antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription can easily lead to antibiotic resistance, ineffective treatment, and repeated recurrence of the disease. To prevent pneumonia from recurring, Dr. Hanh recommends focusing on strengthening the child’s immunity. Mothers should breastfeed their children exclusively for the first 6 months. Breast milk is a complete source of nutrition, supporting a healthy immune system and protecting children from disease. After 6 months, children can eat supplementary foods combined with breastfeeding. Parents should vaccinate their children on schedule to build an immune barrier. Pneumococcal, influenza, whooping cough, measles, etc. vaccines help children prevent respiratory diseases.

When children show signs of respiratory infections, parents should take them to the doctor early. Children who are tired, lethargic, breathe rapidly, have difficulty breathing, have their respiratory muscles contract, vomit repeatedly, refuse to eat… need to be hospitalized immediately. The main principles in treating pneumonia are to clear the airways, reduce fever, replenish fluids, and provide adequate nutrition for children. Use of medication must be as prescribed by a doctor.