Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en niños hospitalizados pre y pospandemia COVID-19 en un prestador de salud, Uruguay

Pintaluba, F., Sarturi, B., Mauvezin, J., Dabezies, C., & Giachetto, G. (2026). Community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a healthcare provider, Uruguay. Archives of Pediatrics of Uruguay, 97(1), e205. https://doi.org/10.31134/AP.97.1.5

Abstract

Introduction: during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a decrease in hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections was observed. In 2022, after the lifting of health measures, cases of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) increased and presented with complications.
Objectives: to compare the frequency, clinical characteristics, and etiology of CAP in children under 15 years hospitalized in two periods: pre-pandemic (3/1/2018–3/1/2019) and post-pandemic (3/1/2022–3/1/2023).
Methodology: a descriptive, cross-sectional study of children aged 1 month to 15 years with a diagnosis of CAP who required hospitalization. The following were compared between both periods: hospitalization proportions, vaccination coverage, etiology, hospital stay, and evolution. Necrotizing pneumonia was analyzed as a complication.
Results: hospitalizations for CAP represented 2.8% (100) of hospital admissions pre-pandemic versus 3.8% (126) post-pandemic (p<0.01). Bacteriological confirmation was obtained in 9 (3.9%) total across both periods (S. pneumoniae 6, H. influenzae 2, S. pyogenes 1). There was no difference in vaccination status. The mean hospital stay for CAP was 4 days pre-pandemic and 6 days post-pandemic. Sixteen (16%) and 16 (12.7%) presented with necrotizing pneumonia, respectively, showing no significant difference.
Conclusions: in the post-pandemic period, a significant increase in the proportion of hospitalizations for CAP was observed among users of this healthcare provider. No relationship was found with the vaccination status of both groups. This data matches that of international reports and could be partly related to the pandemicmitigation measures. Despite this increase, the proportion of complications was similar.

https://doi.org/10.31134/AP.97.1.5

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