Respiratory infections in the newborn

Abstract

It is well recognised that acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) occurs commonly in children younger than 5 years of age, with pneumonia being the most serious complication. The greatest risk of death from pneumonia in childhood is in the neonatal period; it is estimated that pneumonia contributes to between 0.75-1.2 million neonatal deaths annually, accounting for approximately 10% of global child mortality. Of all neonatal deaths due to pneumonia, 96% occur in the developing world.