Abstract
Objectives: A case-control study was carried out to identify nutritional risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections among infants and children under 5 years.
Methods: Children who have been admitted to the pediatric wards at Basra Maternity and Children Hospital and those who have visited Al-Razie Primary Health Center over the period from the 4th of November 2007 till the end of May 2008 were recruited. A total of 110 patients with pneumonia according to the WHO criteria and 207 apparently healthy infants and children, their age ranged from 2 months-5 years were included.
Results: The study has revealed that formula feeding in early life, duration of breast feeding of less than 6 months, time of introduction of weaning foods before 6 months, anemia, rickets and malnutrition are significant risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infection. In addition, a significant correlation was found between the severity of the acute lower respiratory tract infection and rickets, malnutrition, serum calcium level, and hemoglobin level
Conclusion: Presence of anemia, rickets and malnutrition are significant risk factors for acute lower respiratory tract infections and also for a more severe disease.
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