6,366 children in Mumbai hospitalised in 2017 for respiratory infections

Since 2013, the state reported 2,95,596 cases of hospitalisaton due to respiratory infections in children below five years.

Nearly 3,00,000 children below the age of five, in Maharashtra, were hospitalised in the past five years to treat respiratory infections, revealed data from the state public health department.

There were 57,525 cases in 2016-17 and 26,162 cases were reported between April and December 2017.(HT File/Representational Image)

Data collected from public and private hospitals showed Pune (60,718), Mumbai (45,202) and Chandrapur (21,233) reported most number of cases. In Mumbai, 6,366 children were hospitalised between April and December 2017. There were 16,199 hospitalisations between April 2016 and March 2017, a decline from the 17,222 cases between April 2015 and March 2016.

Doctors said lifestyle changes, inadequate nutrition, outdoor and indoor pollution are major causes for respiratory infections in children. Experts said that possibility of a delay in treating primary symptoms may be causing the increasing number of hospitalisation cases.

Since 2013, the state reported 2,95,596 cases of hospitalisaton due to respiratory infections in children below five years. While the cases showed a rising trend for three years, with 2013-14 reporting 55,303 cases, 2014-15 (77,152) and 2015-16 (76,454), the cases have been declining since then. There were 57,525 cases in 2016-17 and 26,162 cases were reported between April and December 2017.

“Pune and Mumbai, being the cities with larger population of children (0-5) years are likely to report more cases,” said Dr Nilkanth Awad, head of the department of pulmonology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, Sion.

Dr Awad said pollution related bronchitis and respiratory tract infections are quite common in city areas, whereas rural areas have traditional cooking mechanisms, dust, lack of nutrition, which cause respiratory infections in children.”

Studies in the state have also proved that children who stay closer to highways or traffic junctions are 10% more likely to be diagnosed with respiratory infections than those who stay away from busy roads.

“A major reason for this is the pollutants released by vehicular traffic which increases the allergic tendencies in children,” said Dr Arvind Kate, pulmonologist from Zen Hospital, Chembur.

Two separate studies by Chest Research Foundation, Pune suggested lack of nutrition and eating habits are directly related to probability of respiratory infection in children. Researchers had found, children eating fruits thrice a week are 10% less likely to develop respiratory infections. Those eating junk food thrice a week are 8% more likely to face bronchitis or asthma.

While 100% prevention of respiratory infections is almost impossible, according to Dr Asmita Mahajan, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at SL Raheja Hospital, building immunity of children is the best possible way to fight infections.

“The best way to avoid hospitalisation is to make sure the child takes all the vaccines on time,” said Dr Mahajan.

She added that since at times, cases of respiratory infections like swine flu become more virulent needing hospitalisation; parents should not delay the treatment.