The Relationship of Leukocyte and Neutrophil Count, C-Reactive Protein, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate With the Severity of Childhood Pneumonia Without Conjugated Pneumococcal Vaccine Use

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of diseases in children that remains a serious threat. This study aimed to investigate the laboratory and inflammatory markers in children with pneumonia and their relationship with the severity of the disease. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive-cross-sectional study included 400 children with pneumonia patients, aged 1 month to 12 years, who were referred to Bandar Abbass Children’s Hospital. In this study, the severity of the disease was compared with variables such as age, gender, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil percentage, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Results: Of the 400 people who participated in the survey, 57.5% and 42.5% of cases were males and females, respectively. The mean age of the studied patients was 16.53±21.57 months. There was no significant relationship between the severity of pneumonia and leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and inflammatory markers (P>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, the severity of the disease was mild to moderate in 90% of patients. ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte count, and neutrophil count were not significantly associated with the severity of pneumonia in children (P>0.05).