Pneumonia during the first two years of life does not increase risk of respiratory infections in preschool children

Summary Objectives To investigate the relationship between severe pneumonia during the first two years of life and subsequent respiratory infections in preschool children. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. We interviewed parents of children who were classified as exposed ( n = 36) or non-exposed ( n = 84), based on whether they were hospitalized with radiologically-confirmed pneumonia during the first two years of life. The main outcomes were physician-diagnosed respiratory infections (acute otitis media, pharyngitis, and pneumonia) and use of antibiotics during the last 2 and 12 months. Results There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of prevalence of acute otitis media, pharyngitis, pneumonia and use of antibiotics during the last 2 months (5.9 vs 6.2%, 14.3 vs 26.0%, 0.0 vs 1.2% and 36.7 vs 38.7% respectively; P > 0.05 for all comparisons) and during the last 12 months (20.6 vs 18.5%, 40.0 vs 45.5%, 2.8 vs 2.4% and 76.7 vs 77.3% respectively; P > 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions Pneumonia severe enough to require hospitalization during the first two years of life does not increase the risk of respiratory infections in preschool children.