Factors Associated With In-Hospital and Postdischarge Adverse Outcomes Among Children Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Sabah, Malaysia: A Prospective Cohort Study

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Kok, Hing Cheong
Fong, Siew Moy
Yerkovich, Stephanie T
Grimwood, Keith
Masters, Ian Brent
McCallum, Gabrielle B
Fancourt, Nicholas
Gan, Chai Woon
Tan, Qing Yu
Moore, Ethan M
Chang, Anne B
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2025
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Adverse in-hospital outcomes of childhood pneumonia are well-documented, but adverse postdischarge outcomes remain unclear, especially in middle-income countries. We investigated factors associated with in-hospital and postdischarge adverse outcomes in Malaysian children with pneumonia. METHODS: Between April 2022 and April 2023, a prospective cohort of Malaysian children aged 1 month to < 12 years hospitalized with radiographic-confirmed pneumonia were enrolled and reviewed 4-6 weeks postdischarge. Composite in-hospital adverse outcomes were death, intensive care admission, or prolonged hospitalization > 5 days. Composite postdischarge adverse outcomes were chronic (> 4 weeks) wet cough, rehospitalization for acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), or unscheduled respiratory-related doctor visit by 4-6 weeks. RESULTS: In 868 children, composite in-hospital adverse outcomes occurred in 139 (16%) (2 deaths [< 1%], 46 [5%] intensive care admissions, 136 [16%] prolonged hospitalizations). Risk factors for in-hospital adverse outcomes were: age < 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 3.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13-6.93), preterm birth (ORadj = 1.81, 95% CI 1.01-3.23), partial/unvaccinated status (ORadj = 2.28, 95% CI 1.13-4.60), hypoxemia (ORadj = 4.91, 95% CI 2.95-8.20), airspace abnormalities (ORadj = 9.80, 95% CI 3.84-24.98), and anemia (ORadj = 1.70, 95% CI 1.08-2.68). Among 689/866 (80%) children reviewed postdischarge, 666 (97%) had complete data. Of these, composite postdischarge outcomes occurred in 134 (20%) children (20 [3%] chronic wet cough, 71 [11%] hospitalized ALRIs, 128 [19%] unscheduled respiratory-related doctor visits). Preterm birth (ORadj = 2.28, 95% CI 1.37-3.81) and invasive mechanical ventilation (ORadj = 2.64, 95% CI 1.16-6.00) were risk factors for postdischarge adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Children hospitalized with radiographic-confirmed pneumonia and at risk of in-hospital adverse outcomes should be monitored closely. Postdischarge follow-up is recommended for preterm children or those requiring invasive mechanical ventilation because of their risk of long-term respiratory morbidity.

Journal Title

Pediatric Pulmonology

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

60

Issue

11

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Cardiovascular medicine and haematology

Paediatrics

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Kok, HC; Fong, SM; Yerkovich, ST; Grimwood, K; Masters, IB; McCallum, GB; Fancourt, N; Gan, CW; Tan, QY; Moore, EM; Chang, AB, Factors Associated With In-Hospital and Postdischarge Adverse Outcomes Among Children Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Sabah, Malaysia: A Prospective Cohort Study, Pediatric Pulmonology, 2025, 60 (11), pp. e71380

Collections