Complicaciones intrahospitalarias de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en relación con la estancia hospitalaria, en pacientes de entre 2 a 5 años en el Hospital General Monte Sinaí, 2023-2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of hospitalization in the pediatric population, particularly in low-income communities, making proper management essential to prevent complications. These complications extend hospital stays and hinder patient recovery. Identifying the factors associated with these complications is essential to improving the quality of medical care. Objective: To evaluate the clinical complications of pneumonia and their relationship to length of hospital stay in patients aged 2 to 5 years admitted to Monte Sinaí General Hospital. Materials and Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. One hundred and sixty-six patients aged 2 to 5 years, diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), were admitted to the pediatric ward of the Monte Sinaí General Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Results: The average hospital stay for patients without complications was seven days. Fifty-five percent of the cases were male patients, with the highest incidence occurring in children older than two years. The predominant complications were pleural effusion (50%), pneumothorax (35%), and acute respiratory failure (15%). Conclusions: The population most affected by CAP was male patients aged two years. The predominant complication was pleural effusion. Patients who developed complications had an increased average hospital stay of 14 days, from 7 to 14 days.