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Stages Of Pneumonia In Children: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dr. Swati Kaktikar

6 Min Read

Fast Check Fact Checked

The term pneumonia is derived from the ancient Greek word “pneumon,” which means “lungs.” So, pneumonia literally means “lung disease.” It is a disease that causes pus or fluid to fill the air sacs in the lungs, causing distress to the child.

Pneumonia is more prevalent in children under the age of five. It is particularly common during the winter. Do you want to know if pneumonia is contagious? Read here.

What Causes Pneumonia In Children Under The Age Of Five?

The majority of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses. However, viral pneumonia in babies is usually mild, but in some, it can become severe. Bacteria can also cause pneumonia. When this happens, children can have severe symptoms.

The following are some of the most common bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia:

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in children under the age of 5 years
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Group B Streptococcus
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Staphylococcus aureus
Influenza virus
Adenovirus
Parainfluenza virus

symptoms of pneumonia in children

Symptoms Of Pneumonia In Babies

Each child’s symptoms may be slightly different. They may also differ depending on what is causing pneumonia – while symptoms caused by viruses are often mild, those caused by bacteria can be severe. Children, less than 5 years of age may or may not have fever associated with cough. Pneumonia is diagnosed if there is fast breathing and indrawing of the lower chest wall. Wheezing may or may not be present. Infants can have symptoms like being unable to feed/drink, lethargy, excessive drowsiness, hypothermia, and convulsions. In older children, the symptoms may present as

Presence or absence of Fever
Dry cough or Cough that produces mucus
Pain while coughing
Vomiting or diarrhea
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Chills, and
Difficulty breathing

Sometimes, viral pneumonia can get complicated by secondary bacterial infection.

Which Children Are At Risk For Pneumonia?

A toddler is more likely to get pneumonia if they have

A weak immune system
Have chronic health issues like asthma or cystic fibrosis, or
If they have problems with the airways of the lungs

Children under one are at increased risk if they’re around secondhand tobacco smoke. This is especially true if their parents smoke.

Stages Of Pneumonia In Children

Pneumonia in children typically progresses through different stages, and the severity of symptoms can vary. Here are the general stages of pneumonia in children:

Onset of Illness

Pneumonia often begins with symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu. Common early signs include fever, cough, and rapid or difficult breathing. The child may appear generally unwell, with fatigue and a lack of energy.

Consolidation Stage

As the infection progresses, inflammation and infection may spread to the small air sacs in the lungs (alveoli). This stage is characterized by the consolidation of lung tissue, meaning that the air-filled areas become filled with inflammatory cells, debris, and sometimes fluid. Symptoms may worsen, and the child may develop a more pronounced cough, increased breathing difficulties, and chest pain.

Hypoxia (Low Oxygen Levels)

Severe cases of pneumonia can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia). Signs of hypoxia include bluish discolouration of the lips and nails (cyanosis), rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. Children may exhibit signs of respiratory distress, such as flaring nostrils and retractions (visible pulling in of the chest between the ribs during breathing).

Complications

In some cases, pneumonia can lead to complications. These complications may cause additional symptoms, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. It’s important to note that pneumonia severity can vary widely, and some children may have mild cases that resolve with appropriate treatment, while others may experience more severe illnesses requiring hospitalization.

Prompt medical attention is crucial, especially if a child shows signs of respiratory distress, persistent high fever, or worsening symptoms. If you suspect that your child has pneumonia, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

What Role Does Air Pollution Play In Pneumonia?

Air pollution significantly increases the likelihood of pneumonia, accounting for roughly a third of all pediatric pneumonia deaths. Indoor pollution from unclean fuel is far worse. It is responsible for more than 62% of all child pneumonia deaths caused by air pollution (UNICEF).

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How Is Pneumonia In Children Diagnosed?

It entails taking a medical history, doing physical exams, and administering the following tests:

X-ray of the chest

It helps to confirm pneumonia and also assess the extent /severity of the disease. In some cases, it may help in the differentiation of bacterial v/s viral Pneumonia

Blood tests

Blood counts, like Total WBC counts, etc., can be elevated in Infections. Blood Gas Analysis can help measure carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.

Sputum microscopy and culture

Examining the sputum under the microscope can sometimes help in identifying the organism. Sputum culture is done on coughed-up sputum from the lungs. It can detect infections in children. However, getting sputum samples from toddlers can be difficult, and therefore this test is only sometimes done.

Pulse oximetry

An oximeter measure helps measure blood oxygen.

Chest CT scan

This test captures chest images. It gives a more detailed picture of the extent of the disease in the lungs. It is needed in cases who do not show a response to initial treatment or have severe disease.

Bronchoscopy

This procedure examines the insides of the lung airways. In Pneumonia, it is helpful to collect sputum samples when the patient is unable to cough it up. However, this test is needed in very few cases.

Pleural fluid culture

In cases difficult to diagnose, this test would be performed where the fluid between the lungs and the chest wall (called the pleural space) is examined.

How Is Pneumonia In Children Treated?

Treatment of pneumonia includes antibiotic medications. Most of which will be prescribed orally.

Other treatments include

Bed rest
Staying hydrated, and
Medications for fever, cough, and other discomforts.

If the child is experiencing severe breathing problems, they may have to be admitted to the hospital. While in the hospital, treatments may include

Antibiotics administered intravenously or by mouth
Intravenous fluids, and
Oxygen therapy

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What Are The Potential Consequences Of Childhood Pneumonia?

If neglected, pneumonia can cause breathing difficulties. But if bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause sepsis, and it can be potentially fatal.

How Can Children Be Protected Against Pneumonia?

Pneumococcal pneumonia can be avoided by getting vaccinated against 13 different types of pneumococcal pneumonia. Doctors recommend that toddlers receive their first vaccinations at the age of two months. For children over the age of two who are at higher risk of pneumonia, there’s a different vaccine available. Your doctor should be able to help you with that. Just make sure your child is up to date on all vaccines, particularly the yearly flu shot. A clean environment may also help your child prevent pneumonia. Teach them to cover their nose and mouth when they sneeze or cough. Teach them to wash their hands frequently as well. These precautions will help prevent other infections as well. Also, prevent exposure to cigarette smoke. Read more on how to prevent pneumonia.

When Should I Consult a Doctor?

Call your doctor if you notice these symptoms:

A fever that lasts more than a couple of days
Breathing difficulties
Trouble drinking water and other fluids
New symptoms such as altered feeding pattern or excessive sleepiness/ drowsiness

Conclusion

Pneumonia treatment at home — read more about what you can do to help your child at home. Is your child suffering from a fever? MFine is here to assist you. Check out how thousands of other patients have rated and reviewed their online consultation experience with our certified doctor. Consult a pediatrician now!