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Pneumonia is the leading cause of hospitalization in children under 3 years
Each year, 800 children were served in the National Children's Hospital
May, September and October are the months with the highest incidence of this disease
Irene Rodr?guez S. | Irodriguez@nacion.com
Published: 2009/11/03
Each year, 800 children admitted to the National Children's Hospital and remained hospitalized until a week from pneumonia.
In addition, every year, between 20 and 30 of them at the hospital die from this disease, which is the leading cause of hospitalization in children up to three years.
"Respiratory infections are the leading cause of consultation in the hospital, and pneumonia cases for the most under five years admitted to the hospital. Fortunately, in our country do not observe the death statistics seen in other countries, "said Rodolfo Hern?ndez, director of the National Children's Hospital.
Pneumonia is an infectious and inflammatory disease that infects the alveoli, smaller cavities of the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria such as pneumococcus, or viruses that infect the respiratory tract.
"We have seen cases of healthy children only two months with pneumonia. So far this year, we have already admitted 460 children and killed 15. We still lack the October data, which is one of the stronger months, but we know that Costa Rica is a country with fewer deaths from lationamerica "said Rodolfo Ulloa, infectious diseases that medical center.
Solutions. Measures to counter childhood pneumonia in the country is the introduction of pneumococcal vaccine in the basic vaccination.
"In Latin America, the statistics of death from pneumonia are those with the United States and Canada 30 years ago. In Costa Rica, is not the case. The vaccine we started to implement this year will help to lower case, "said Maria Luisa ?vila, Minister of Health.
However, it is too early to assess the ability of this vaccine.
"Vaccination against pneumococcus is not even a year and the scope can not be measured yet. We should take a couple more years to get the true scope of this vaccine, "said Ulloa.
The specialists added that there are also preventive measures that parents can take to prevent this disease.
"The main thing is to avoid smoking. The children of women who smoke during pregnancy or within the first three years of a child, get 50% more likely to have pneumonia, "said Hernandez.
Other preventive measures include washing hands, disinfecting baby pacifiers and toys he uses, and seek medical advice if symptoms of respiratory illness.