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Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergology
2003 April, Vol. VI, No. 1 (pp.2086-2098)
Overview of the Guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in children
Anne Thomson
The British Thoracic Society recently considered the available evidence for the management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children and this overview is largely based on that work. They assessed all available evidence from searches of Medline and the Cochrane Library and considered the quality of that evidence. Key points and management guidelines were produced based on the available evidence supplemented by consensus clinical opinion where no relevant evidence was found, the grade of various data certain general conclusions are possible. Pathogen of CAP is not identified in between 20-60 perc. of cases. It is also clear that a significant number of work on the signs, symptoms and severity of pneumonia has been provided by research in developing countries to help non-medical field-workers in health care.
Undoubtedly, the general improvements in public health over the last century have contributed greatly to the prevention of CAP. However, there is still more to be done in improving housing, reducing crowding, reducing smoking and improving the uptake of routine vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Bordatella pertusis.