DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF PNEUMONIA IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69891/Keywords:
pneumonia preschool children differential diagnosis respiratory infections bronchiolitis bronchitis bronchial asthma pediatric pulmonology chest radiography respiratory diseasesAbstract
Pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among preschool children worldwide. Accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment and prevention of complications. However, the clinical manifestations of pneumonia often overlap with those of other respiratory diseases, making differential diagnosis a significant challenge in pediatric practice. Preschool children frequently present with nonspecific symptoms such as fever, cough, respiratory distress, and reduced physical activity, which may also occur in viral respiratory infections, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, and congenital respiratory disorders. Therefore, comprehensive clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, and radiological examinations are necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. This article reviews the main principles of differential diagnosis of pneumonia in preschool-aged children, highlights key clinical and diagnostic features distinguishing pneumonia from other respiratory conditions, and discusses current approaches to pediatric assessment. Early and accurate differential diagnosis contributes to timely treatment, reduced hospitalization rates, and improved clinical outcomes.References
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