The incidence of pneumonia in the paediatric population in Poland in light of the maps of health needs

Abstract

In Poland, no statistical data are available concerning the analysis of the incidence of pneumonia in inpatient children. The requirement for these data results mainly from the need to prepare systemic and economic solutions. This study aimed to use reported data for evaluating pneumonia incidence rates among hospitalised children and other parameters in various age groups. A detailed analysis was performed as part of the Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development co-financed by the European Social Fund. Services reported to the National Health Fund in 2014 were considered, including pneumonia incidence among hospitalised children and mortality in specific age groups. In 2014, a total of 68,543 children were hospitalised for pneumonia (68% of all hospitalisations for acute respiratory diseases). Within each of the analysed age groups, boys were hospitalised more frequently. Irrespective of the place of residence, infants were most commonly hospitalised. It was observed that there was a significant difference between the incidence rate of pneumonia among hospitalised children in all analysed groups depending on the province. The average length of stay was 7.29 days, with infants requiring the longest stays (7.96 days), and 1.8% of children were rehospitalised within 30 days due to recurrence of pneumonia. The most commonly coded pathogens responsible for pneumonia included Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Chlamydia spp. A total of 19 inpatient hospital deaths in the course of pneumonia were reported. Based on our findings, it is warranted to utilize epidemiological knowledge for the planning of an appropriate level of service commissioned both in outpatient and inpatient facilities as well as for the estimation of institutional and staff needs necessary to secure these services.