FREQUENCY OF POSITIVE CHEST X-RAY FINDINGS IN CHILDREN AGED 2-59 MONTHS CLASSIFIED AS PNEUMONIA ACCORDING TO IMNCI GUIDELINES

Abstract

Background: Pneumonia significantly impacts children under five, with chest X-ray being used for long time for confirmation despite of its limitations. Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness  offers a clinical alternative, yet literature shows variable agreement, prompting this study to evaluate positive X-ray findings in IMNCI-classified pneumonia.   

Objectives: To determine the frequency of positive x-ray findings in children with age 2-59 months classified as pneumonia according to IMNCI guidelines.      

Duration: Six months i.e. from 03-08-2024 to 02-02-2025.

Methodology: One hundred and eighty children aged 2–59 months having cough and / or difficulty breathing of less than four weeks duration, breathing fast, or chest indrawing were also included and classified as pneumonia using IMNCI guidelines. All children underwent chest X-rays, interpreted by a senior consultant. Findings were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.

Results: A total of 180 children aged 2–59 months, diagnosed with pneumonia as per IMNCI guidelines, were included. The mean age was 30.82±16.27 months. Boys were 57.2% (n=103) and girls were 42.8% (n=77). Chest X-ray was positive in 150 (83.3%) cases, without significant subgroup differences.

Conclusion: This study concluded that the majority of children aged 2–59 months diagnosed with pneumonia according to IMNCI guidelines showed positive chest X-ray findings. No significant differences were observed across age, gender, or symptom duration, indicating that radiological evidence strongly supports IMNCI-based clinical diagnosis in pediatric pneumonia cases.