What are the common pediatric diseases?

Common Pediatric Diseases

Pediatric diseases encompass infectious, chronic, genetic, and developmental conditions, with the most common being respiratory infections (pneumonia, influenza), asthma, obesity, mental health disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions. 1, 2

Infectious Diseases

Respiratory Infections

• Pneumonia is the single greatest infectious cause of death in children worldwide, accounting for 16% of all deaths in children under 5 years of age 1
• Viral pathogens, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, are the most common cause in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers 1, 3
• Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial pathogen across all pediatric age groups beyond the neonatal period 1, 3
• Influenza remains a significant cause of morbidity, with children under 2 years at highest risk for complications and hospitalization 1

Upper Respiratory and ENT Infections

• Acute otitis media is one of the most frequently encountered bacterial infections in primary care settings 4
• Pharyngitis and sinusitis are regularly seen in outpatient pediatric practice 4
• Otitis externa occurs commonly in children 4

Other Common Bacterial Infections

• Urinary tract infections are regularly encountered in pediatric practice 4
• Gastroenteritis with bacterial etiology is commonly seen 4
• Skin and soft tissue infections have increased dramatically over the last decade, driven by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 4
• Conjunctivitis is a common reason for office visits 4

Viral Infections

• Rhinovirus and influenza virus infect children in predictable patterns as they grow older 5
• Cytomegalovirus, rubella virus, and parvovirus B19 can cause in utero infections with early life impact 5
• Herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus are increasingly treatable with antiviral medications 5
• Vaccine-preventable infections including mumps and measles continue to occur in outbreaks despite immunization programs 5

Chronic Conditions

The Four Major Classes

Over the past fifty years, chronic health conditions among children have steadily risen, primarily from four classes: asthma, obesity, mental health conditions, and neurodevelopmental disorders. 2

• Asthma is one of the most common chronic pulmonary conditions affecting children 1, 2
• Obesity has become epidemic, with children who are morbidly obese (BMI ≥40) at higher risk for influenza complications 1, 2
• Mental health conditions have increased substantially in prevalence 2
• Neurodevelopmental disorders including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury are common 1, 2

Genetic and Hematologic Disorders

Sickle Cell Disease

• Sickle cell disease affects approximately 50,000 patients in the United States 1
• Airway hyperreactivity is a frequent occurrence in these patients 1
• Acute chest syndrome accounts for more than 20% of deaths and is caused by infection, fat embolism, platelet-derived mediators, decreased nitric oxide, and reactive nitrogen/oxygen species 1
• Chronic occult pulmonary injury, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac dysfunction are relatively early complications 1

Cystic Fibrosis

• Cystic fibrosis is a major genetic disorder requiring specialized multidisciplinary care 1
• All children with CF are expected to survive into adulthood, requiring transition planning to adult care 1

Rare Genetic Conditions

• Interstitial lung diseases, proliferative disorders, and primary ciliary dyskinesia occur in children but have limited understanding of natural history due to rarity 1
• Neuromuscular diseases including spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, congenital myasthenic syndrome, myopathies, and muscular dystrophies have genetic etiologies 6
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy has shown significant treatment advances with corticosteroids 6

Conditions Requiring Surgical Management

• Developmental dysplasia of the hip requires early detection through assessment of asymmetric skin folds and limitation of hip abduction 7
• Skeletal dysplasia may present with abnormal femur length measurements and requires multidisciplinary management 7
• Neurogenic bowel dysfunction in spina bifida patients may require colostomy placement when conservative management fails 8

High-Risk Populations

Children at higher risk for complications from common infections include those with 1:

• Chronic pulmonary disease (including asthma and cystic fibrosis)
• Hemodynamically significant cardiovascular disease
• Renal, hepatic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
• Hematologic disorders (including sickle cell disease and other hemoglobinopathies)
• Immunosuppression from any cause, including medications or HIV infection
• Conditions compromising respiratory function or secretion handling (including tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation)
• American Indian/Alaska Native ethnicity