Upper respiratory tract infections in children age 2 to 10 years in Quetta: A prevalence study

The present study was carried out to asses the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infection (URTIs) in children at combined military hospital (CMH), Quetta from September, 2017 to April, 2018. The data were sampled by visiting the Pediatrician office and outpatient department (OPD) weekly. Of the total children examined, 64 were male and 36 were females (Age range 2-10 years). Out of 100 patients evaluated, ratio of URTIs was 41%, 25%, 20%, 12% and 2% in the form of Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Laryngitis, Rhinitis and Sinusitis respectively. Pharyngitis showed highest prevalence in male was 50% while Tonsillitis was the most prevalent (42%) compare to Laryngitis (25%) in females. Children aged 2-5years were found more infected (56%) by Pharyngitis like complication than children with 7-10 (28%) and 5-7 (16%) years of age. Highest ratio of Tonsillitis (50%) was found in patients of 7-10 years followed by 32 and 16 percent prevalence in the patients were 5-7 and 2-5 years old. Sinusitis was least prevailed sex wise (males=3%), (females= 2%), however, it was found slightly higher (11%) in patients aging 7-10 years. This is the first study in children with URTIs conducted in Quetta that can help the parents to take proper health care of underage children. It emphasizes the need of up-to-date facilities and infra-structure in our setup to improve treatment outcomes in this respiratory tract infections.