EVALUATION OF RISK FACTORS FOR MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTH- 5 YEARS PRESENTING WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION TO A REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Acute lower respiratory tract infection in children is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. A simple clinical score predicting the probability of death and poor outcome in a young child with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) could aid clinicians in case management and provide a standardized severity measure during epidemiologic studies. Therefore, our study was aimed to assess the usefulness of one such scoring model, the RISC score, in an urban setting in eastern part of India and also to determine significant risk factors for LRTI in young children Our study concluded that the RISC score maybe used as an index of severity in children with LRTI, as a complementary tool to the current IMCI framework, to ensure appropriate treatment and hospitalization in children, who are most in need. Also, recognizing the risk factors at presentation, may facilitate decisions about the most appropriate site of treatment (i.e., home vs. hospital) or the need for additional supportive care (i.e., supplemental oxygen or intensive care). Keywords: Morbidity, Mortality in Children, Lower Respiratory Tract Infection, LRTI, etc.