World Pneumonia Day: Urgent Action Needed to Protect Lives

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death among children under five, claiming nearly 2 million lives annually, despite being preventable. World Pneumonia Day, observed every year on Nov. 12, calls for urgent action to protect the most vulnerable through vaccination, better healthcare access, and the reduction of key risk factors.

Unlike diseases caused by a single pathogen, pneumonia can result from a variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it both widespread and challenging to prevent. Often, it develops from common respiratory infections that are not diagnosed or treated in time, allowing it to escalate into a life-threatening condition.

The most common causes of pneumonia in children are bacterial pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), as well as the viral Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Pneumocystis jiroveci, particularly in HIV-positive infants, also contributes significantly to pneumonia-related deaths in this vulnerable group, reports the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).  

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs, which can fill with fluid or pus. Symptoms of pneumonia include coughing with phlegm, fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, and fatigue. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems, writes the Mayo Clinic. Several risk factors contribute to the severity of pneumonia in children, such as malnutrition, inadequate vaccination coverage, and poor living conditions. These factors underscore the urgent need for global action to reduce pneumonia-related deaths.

In 2019, pneumonia was responsible for 14% of all deaths among children under five, killing 740,180 children globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Mexico, a study published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that 81.6% of pneumonia cases were linked to viral infections, with RSV accounting for 23.7% of cases. Other significant viruses, including influenza, adenovirus, and coronavirus, were also identified. The study highlighted key risk factors, such as the use of biomass for cooking, insufficient breastfeeding, and co-infections, which were linked to severe pneumonia cases. These findings emphasize the need to address both environmental and social factors to reduce the risk of pneumonia-related deaths.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of pneumonia in children. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and antibodies that help strengthen the immune system, offering protection against respiratory infections. Furthermore, breastfeeding helps prevent malnutrition, which can further weaken a child's immune defenses, increasing their vulnerability to severe pneumonia. A study titled Breastfeeding for Reducing the Risk of Pneumonia Morbidity and Mortality in Children Under Two revealed that babies aged 0-5 months who were not breastfed were nearly 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia compared to those who were exclusively breastfed. For children aged 6-23 months, the risk was nearly twice as high for those who did not receive breast milk.

The WHO emphasizes that preventing pneumonia is critical to reducing child mortality. Vaccination against Hib, pneumococcus, measles, and whooping cough (pertussis) is the most effective protection against pneumonia. Additionally, adequate nutrition, including exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, can significantly strengthen a child's immune system and reduce the duration of illness. Addressing environmental risks, such as indoor air pollution and overcrowded living conditions, also plays a pivotal role in preventing pneumonia. For children living with HIV, the daily use of cotrimoxazole can help lower the risk of pneumonia.