Pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death among children globally, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Every year, it claims over 725,000 lives of children under five, with 190,000 of these deaths occurring in newborns who are particularly vulnerable.

UNICEF reports that a child dies from pneumonia every 43 seconds, and all of these deaths are preventable. The organization has expressed outrage over the fact that many children lack access to the vital health services and treatments that could save them.

The recent UNICEF publication calls for urgent actions to prevent pneumonia-related deaths, change the course of the disease, and protect every child. One of the primary steps is to prioritize and strengthen routine immunization, especially for Pneumococcal (PCV), Measles, and Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) vaccines, aiming to increase their coverage to over 90%.

This will help ensure that children are protected from pneumonia.

The organization also highlighted the importance of improving basic oxygen access for children suffering from severe pneumonia, stressing that no child should be left struggling to breathe.

Additionally, UNICEF emphasized the need to invest in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition, which contributes to pneumonia deaths. The need for better-trained health workers and improved healthcare infrastructure was also stressed to ensure essential services are within reach of families.

Pneumonia, which affects the lungs and is caused by various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi, presents with symptoms like fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties.

Children with pneumonia may show rapid breathing or chest retractions. It is highly contagious, spreading through airborne particles or bodily fluids.

Diagnosis of pneumonia involves physical examination, often checking for abnormal breathing patterns. In areas with limited healthcare resources, health workers may rely on measuring the child’s breathing rate to identify pneumonia. In more advanced settings, tests such as chest x-rays and blood tests are used.

Treatment for pneumonia depends on its cause. In many developing nations, bacterial pneumonia is the most prevalent form, and it can typically be treated with inexpensive antibiotics. Oxygen therapy is crucial for severe cases, especially for children and newborns, whose lungs struggle to provide enough oxygen to their bodies.

However, access to oxygen is limited in many low-resource countries, often available only in higher-level health facilities or hospitals. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue by straining already weak healthcare systems.

Prevention of pneumonia can be achieved through measures such as early breastfeeding, vaccination, access to clean water, good nutrition, and reducing exposure to air pollution. Research has shown that improved hygiene practices, like washing hands with soap, can also reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Despite the availability of vaccines like the Pneumococcal (PCV) vaccine, 40% of children worldwide remain unprotected. Other vaccines, such as those for Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis, Measles, and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib), also offer protection against pneumonia.

Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia have the highest rates of pneumonia-related child deaths, particularly in the poorest regions where the most disadvantaged children suffer the most.