Risk Factors of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in The First five years of life

Abstract

SUMMARY The present study followed a case control cross sectional study design. It aimed at the identification of the possible risk factors for the occurrence of ALRI in the first five years of life. It comprised 404 infants and children aged up to five years as follows: • Group I (Study group): included 202 infants and children suffering from

acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) in the form of bronchiolitis (14.4%) or pnewnonia (86.6%) who were admitted to the Pediatric Reception, Assiut University Hospital during the period of August 1998 till February 1999. • Group II (Control group): included 202 age and sex-matched children who were free from ALRl. They were attendants to the Well-Baby Clinic, Assiut University Hospital. Those with a past history of ALRI were not included. For data collection, the following 4 items were obtained: • Mother's personal data, knowledge, attitude and practice • Assessment of socioeconomic status of the family of each included child • Assessment of indoor air quality of residence • Assessment of nutritional status of each child included

The study showed the following main results:

• There were some risk factors that were associated with the occurrence of

ALRl. These included increased birth order (above 2), lack of breast feeding,