title: Child pneumonia - focus on the Western Pacific Region.
abstract: Worldwide, pneumonia is the leading cause of death in infants and young children (aged <5 years). We provide an overview of the global pneumonia disease burden, as well as the aetiology and management practices in different parts of the world, with a specific focus on the WHO Western Pacific Region. In 2011, the Western Pacific region had an estimated 0.11 pneumonia episodes per child-year with 61,900 pneumonia-related deaths in children less than 5 years of age. The majority (>75%) of pneumonia deaths occurred in six countries; Cambodia, China, Laos, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Viet Nam. Historically Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were the commonest causes of severe pneumonia and pneumonia-related deaths in young children, but this is changing with the introduction of highly effective conjugate vaccines and socio-economic development. The relative contribution of viruses and atypical bacteria appear to be increasing and traditional case management approaches may require revision to accommodate increased uptake of conjugated vaccines in the Western Pacific region. Careful consideration should be given to risk reduction strategies, enhanced vaccination coverage, improved management of hypoxaemia and antibiotic stewardship.
authors: Discipline of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Australia; Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Da Nang, Viet Nam. Electronic address: thng5150@uni.sydney.edu.au.
authors: T K P
authors: TK
authors: Nguyen
authors: Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Da Nang, Viet Nam.
authors: T H
authors: TH
authors: Tran
authors: Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School Northern, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Roberts
authors: Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Australia.
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Graham
authors: Discipline of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Australia.
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Marais
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005202:Asia, Eastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011019:Pneumonia, Mycoplasma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines
keywords: Child; acute respiratory infection; aetiology; antibiotic stewardship; epidemiology; management; pneumonia; vaccination