Pediatric pneumonia across altitudes in Ecuador: a countrywide, epidemiological analysis from 2010-2021.

Background: In Ecuador, pneumonia is a significant pediatric health challenge and a leading cause of infant mortality. Little is known about the contribution of altitude to trends in pneumonia incidence and mortality. The objective of this study was to examine the how the disease burden of pneumonia varies across substantial changes in altitude in a large population over time.

Methods: A nationwide descriptive ecological analysis of the burden of pediatric pneumonia was conducted using secondary data from hospital discharges spanning 2010 to 2021. Patients aged 0 to 18 years with ICD-10 diagnoses related to pneumonia were included. The data were stratified by altitudes using the two main classifications available: The classical categorization (low < 2,500 m and high altitude > 2,500 m), and the classification offered by the International Society of Mountain Medicine (low altitude (< 1,500 m), moderate altitude (1,500 m - 2,500 m), high altitude (2,500-3,500 m). Disease frequency, prevalence, and the burden of disease were analyzed in relation to altitude.

Results: Between 2010 and 2021 in Ecuador, there were 268,895 pediatric hospitalizations and 4,669 deaths due to lower respiratory tract infections. The incidence was higher among males (54.3%), who had a mean age of 1.4 years during their hospital stay. In comparison, females accounted for 45.7% of cases and had a slightly higher mean age of 1.6 years. The incidence rate in low altitude areas (< 2,500 m) was 341.6 per 100,000 with 173,305 cases, whereas high altitude areas (> 2,500 m) had a rate of 467.4 per 100,000 with 95,590 cases. The mortality rate was disproportionately high in very high-altitude regions at 34.2 per 100,000, despite lower incidence rates.

Conclusions: In Ecuador, pneumonia incidence notably increases at altitudes above 2,500 m, while mortality rates were higher at elevations exceeding 3,500 m. This increment in mortality may be attributed to reduced access to medical services in higher altitudes, leading to fewer individuals seeking early medical intervention and underreporting of incidence rates. The multifaceted nature of these findings underscores the necessity for tailored health strategies that prioritize improved healthcare accessibility, widespread vaccination programs, to mitigate the impact of pneumonia across varying altitudes.