Causes of Pneumonia in Newborns

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs filling them with fluids like pus or purulent material. In case of healthy individuals, they are able to inhale and exhale smoothly but for those suffering from pneumonia, it limits there oxygen intake capacity causing breathing difficulty or coughing with phlegm.

Causes of pneumonia in infants

Pneumonia is caused by several infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria and fungi. The most common are the following.

• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is the second most common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

• Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common viral cause of pneumonia.

• In infants infected with HIV, Pneumocystis jiroveci is one of the most common causes of pneumonia, responsible for at least one quarter of all pneumonia deaths in HIV-infected infants.

Signs of Pneumonia in Infants

Along with unexplained breathing problems here is a list of common symptoms seen early in children infected with pneumonia.

• Cough that worsens with time

• Fever chills

• Loss of appetite

• Vomits and Diarrhea

• Tiredness and painful cough

Treatment of Pneumonia in Infants

Antibiotics or tablets act as a first-level treatment in case of pneumonia-infected kids. Getting in touch with the doctor will give you better insights into the illness, and an easy cure can be found. In severe cases of pneumonia, oral antibiotics are not recommended; instead, hospitalisation is a must.

Prevention

Preventing pneumonia in children is an essential component of a strategy to reduce child mortality. Immunization against Hib, pneumococcus, measles and whooping cough (pertussis) is the most effective way to prevent pneumonia.

Adequate nutrition, a balanced diet, and maintain a proper hygiene and a balanced diet can decrease the risk of contracting pneumonia.