Epidemiologic patterns of acute lower respiratory disease of children in a pediatric group practice

Comprehensive surveillance of acute lower respiratory illnesses of children seen in apediatric group practice was maintained for 67 months in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and consistent patterns have been observed in the clinical manifestations, seasonal occurrence, and age and sex distribution of infections.

Abstract

Comprehensive surveillance of acute lower respiratory illnesses of children seen in apediatric group practice was maintained for 67 months in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The common pathogenic agents associated with these illnesses were respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 3, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae . Consistent patterns have been observed in the clinical manifestations, seasonal occurrence, and age and sex distribution of infections; these provide guidelines for clinicians, which allow reasonable estimates of the etiologic diagnoses. These studies have important implications for the understanding of disease pathogenesis and for the development of optimal methods of prophylaxis.