Microscopic analysis and quality assessment of induced sputum from children with pneumonia

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children especially under five years age is more common in developing nations with estimated incidence approximately 0.026 episodes per child year accounting for 95% of all episodes pneumonia in young children worldwide (1). It is leading cause of mortality in children below 5 years of age. Interventions such as empirical antibiotics in children with suspected pneumonia has led to significant reduction in mortality due to pneumonia (2).