Delhi records a sharp rise in pneumonia cases among children

A sharp increase of 20-30% in pneumonia cases among infants and children with severe respiratory issues has been reported in Delhi, according to sources at government hospitals.

Speaking to Patriot, a senior doctor at the Paediatric Department at the Lady Hardinge Hospital, which is renowned for the treatment of children in the national capital, informed that nearly a 20% rise in the cases of pneumonia has been registered in the past few weeks, with most of the children facing severe respiratory issues.

The doctor, who did not wish to be named, added that the recent surge in pneumonia cases among children, particularly “walking pneumonia” caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is linked to factors like reduced immunity post-COVID-19 lockdowns, improved diagnostics, environmental risks (e.g., air pollution, overcrowding), and incomplete immunisation.

However, Dr Sushma Nangia, Director Professor and Head of the Department of Neonatology at LHMC & KSCH, said, “No such cases have been registered in the newborn babies at the hospital till now.”

Dr Ritu Saxena, Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) at Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH), confirmed that a 20-30% rise in pneumonia cases has been registered at the hospital in the past three to four weeks.

“This surge is likely due to changing weather, increasing pollution, and the vulnerability of infants’ developing immune systems. Many infants require oxygen support or mechanical ventilation in our neonatal intensive care units,” Saxena said.

Saxena stressed the importance of vigilance, saying, “Parents should ensure good hygiene, avoid exposing babies to cold weather or people with respiratory infections, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms like coughing, rapid breathing, or fever appear. Timely pneumococcal vaccination is also vital to reduce the risk of severe infections.”

Furthermore, Dr Sarita Sharma, Senior Consultant Paediatrics at PSRI, New Delhi, observed that viral fever and respiratory infections have surged in school-going children and adults in recent weeks.

Pneumonia, an infection that inflames the air sacs (alveoli) in one or both lungs, can lead to symptoms like cough, fever, chills, and difficulty in breathing. It ranges from mild to severe and can be life-threatening, particularly for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions.

“The symptoms are indicative of influenza, with lab tests confirming that influenza B is prevalent. It’s highly contagious, often affecting entire families,” she explained.

Children typically present with a sudden rise in temperature, high fever, chills, body aches, headache, a scratchy throat, and a dry, persistent cough, explained Sharma.

“Management involves symptomatic treatment, including paracetamol for fever, cough remedies, and steam inhalation if there is no sputum production,” Sharma said.

She also noted that children under five often develop wheezing and may require bronchodilators and other supportive treatments.

“In rare instances, viral pneumonia may occur, requiring hospital admission and oxygen support. For these severe cases, antiviral medications like Oseltamivir are prescribed, but only after confirming the presence of influenza via a throat swab test,” she said.

“Many parents have been administering antibiotics like azithromycin on their own, which is unnecessary, as this is a viral infection. Antibiotics are ineffective in these cases, and only antiviral medications are required. For most patients, supportive care is sufficient,” Sharma highlighted, raising a growing concern.

Parents are alarmed by the situation

Many parents shared personal accounts of how high pollution levels have led to severe illnesses, including pneumonia, which progresses rapidly despite precautions.

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Sunita Sharma, mother of a 3-year-old boy, said, “The changing weather has made my child’s condition worse. He developed a severe cough that quickly progressed to pneumonia.”

Ravi Gupta, father of a 5-month-old girl, also shared that the weather has taken a toll on his daughter’s health. “It’s alarming how quickly pneumonia spreads in this season. Despite being cautious, the pollution and cold air made it difficult to protect our baby,” Gupta said.

Anjali Verma, another worried parent, expressed concern about her 6-year-old daughter’s school being located in a high-pollution area. “My daughter’s school is in a high-pollution area, and despite precautions, she fell sick. What started as a cold quickly turned into pneumonia. This year seems far worse than before,” Verma remarked.

Rajesh Kumar, father of a 2-year-old boy, also voiced his frustration over the poor air quality in Delhi. “My son’s breathing worsened within days of exposure to smog,” shared Kumar.

Similarly, Neha Singh, mother of an 8-month-old baby, said, “Every parent I know is dealing with the same problems. The combination of pollution, cold weather, and viral infections has made this season particularly difficult for children.”