Pneumonia during the first two years of life does not increase risk of respiratory infections in preschool children

Summary objectives: To investigate the relationship between severe pneumonia during the first two years of life and subsequent respiratory infections in preschool children.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. We interviewed parents of children who were classified as exposed (n = 36) or non-exposed (n = 84), based on whether they were hospitalized with radiologically-confirmed pneumonia during the first two years of life. The main outcomes were physician-diagnosed respiratory infections (acute otitis media, pharyngitis, and pneumonia) and use of antibiotics during the last 2 and 12 months.

Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of prevalence of acute otitis media, pharyngitis, pneumonia and use of antibiotics during the last 2 months (5.9 vs 6.2%, 14.3 vs 26.0%, 0.0 vs 1.2% and 36.7 vs 38.7% respectively; P > 0.05 for all comparisons) and during the last 12 months (20.6 vs 18.5%, 40.0 vs 45.5%, 2.8 vs 2.4% and 76.7 vs 77.3% respectively; P > 0.05 for all comparisons).

Conclusions: Pneumonia severe enough to require hospitalization during the first two years of life does not increase the risk of respiratory infections in preschool children.