Correlação entre fatores de risco e a severidade do desconforto respiratório em crianças com pneumonia: estudo transversal.

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric pneumonia is a significant challenge for global public health, representing one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in developing countries such as Brazil. Respiratory distress is a critical symptom, manifesting as tachypnea, use of accessory muscles, intercostal retractions and, in severe cases, cyanosis. These symptoms compromise the clinical condition of children and indicate the severity of the infection. Objective: To analyze the correlation between risk factors and the severity of respiratory distress in children aged 0 to 2 admitted to hospital diagnosed with pneumonia. Methodology: Cross-sectional, observational study with a quantitative approach. Data was collected using questionnaires containing information on personal characteristics, birth conditions, clinical history, diet, environmental factors and comorbidities. The severity of respiratory distress was assessed using the Silverman-Andersen Scale (BSA), and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as mean, median and percentage, to identify patterns and associations. Correlations between continuous variables, were examined using Pearson's parametric correlation statistical test. Results: The sample consisted of 30 patients, with an average age range of 10 months, 60% male and 40% female. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between the severity of respiratory distress and exposure to passive smoking (r = 0.47) and dust (r = 0.70). There was a moderate positive correlation between the history of previous hospitalizations for pneumonia (r = 0.38), the presence of comorbidities (r = 0.22) and prematurity (r = 0.23) and the severity of respiratory distress. The analysis also indicated weak correlations, such as not breastfeeding (r = 0.12), overcrowding (r = 0.14), and a weak negative correlation with exclusive breastfeeding (r = -0.12). There was no correlation between inadequate ventilation and the severity of respiratory distress (r ≈ 0). Conclusion: Risk factors showed significant correlations with the severity of respiratory distress, including prematurity, previous hospitalizations, comorbidities and overcrowding, with special emphasis on exposure to dust and passive smoking. Breastfeeding proved to be a protective factor and did not influence the high intensity of respiratory distress. Inadequate ventilation, on the other hand, showed no correlation with the severity of respiratory distress.