Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=27535
Pneumonia killer of children world wide: Prof. Lamabadusuriya
By-Nilmini Walakuluge and Inoka L Pathirana
Pneumonia disease is a number one killer of children world wide causing nearly two million deaths per year, leading paediatrician Prof. Sanath Lamabadusuriya said.
Speaking at a discussion on the subject ?The implications of Pneumonia in infants and children in Sri Lanka? on Wednesday he said infections with Pneumococcal bacteria can result in several different types of diseases such as Meningitis, Pneumonia, Endocarditis, Cellulitis, Peritonitis, Septic arthritis.
He added major symptoms of Pneumonia are cough, fever with chills, and shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain, abdominal pain with or without vomiting. According to the South Asian Pneumococcal Network Alliance (SAPNA) pneumococci bacteria is responsible for 31% of Meningitis, 33% of Sepsis and 33% of Pneumonia in Sri Lankan children Professor Lamabadusuriya observed.
?Of the total number of pneumonia patients 45% of the hospitalization are due to lower respiratory tract infection.?
?What is of concern is that the two varieties of bacteria Streptococcus Pneumonia and Hemophilus Influenza which causes Pneumonia, Meningitis and Sepsis, are difficult to be identified by mere clinical observation? he said and added that therefore it makes treatment difficult.
He noted that there are two varieties of vaccines to prevent infections by the Pneumonia bacteria and Polysaccharide vaccines which are available, provide short term protection and have limited effectiveness in young children. However the Conjugate vaccines help protect infants and young children from pneumonia in the long term have not yet been introduced to the Sri Lankan market because of the high price. ?I sincerely hope that all children will benefit from this vaccine? he said.
Prof. Lamabadusuriya further emphasized that parents have more responsibility to protect their children from this disease because the children are at nurseries most of the time where they could get infected.
Pneumonia killer of children world wide: Prof. Lamabadusuriya
By-Nilmini Walakuluge and Inoka L Pathirana
Pneumonia disease is a number one killer of children world wide causing nearly two million deaths per year, leading paediatrician Prof. Sanath Lamabadusuriya said.
Speaking at a discussion on the subject ?The implications of Pneumonia in infants and children in Sri Lanka? on Wednesday he said infections with Pneumococcal bacteria can result in several different types of diseases such as Meningitis, Pneumonia, Endocarditis, Cellulitis, Peritonitis, Septic arthritis.
He added major symptoms of Pneumonia are cough, fever with chills, and shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain, abdominal pain with or without vomiting. According to the South Asian Pneumococcal Network Alliance (SAPNA) pneumococci bacteria is responsible for 31% of Meningitis, 33% of Sepsis and 33% of Pneumonia in Sri Lankan children Professor Lamabadusuriya observed.
?Of the total number of pneumonia patients 45% of the hospitalization are due to lower respiratory tract infection.?
?What is of concern is that the two varieties of bacteria Streptococcus Pneumonia and Hemophilus Influenza which causes Pneumonia, Meningitis and Sepsis, are difficult to be identified by mere clinical observation? he said and added that therefore it makes treatment difficult.
He noted that there are two varieties of vaccines to prevent infections by the Pneumonia bacteria and Polysaccharide vaccines which are available, provide short term protection and have limited effectiveness in young children. However the Conjugate vaccines help protect infants and young children from pneumonia in the long term have not yet been introduced to the Sri Lankan market because of the high price. ?I sincerely hope that all children will benefit from this vaccine? he said.
Prof. Lamabadusuriya further emphasized that parents have more responsibility to protect their children from this disease because the children are at nurseries most of the time where they could get infected.