Abstract

Paediatric respiratory conditions in LMICs disproportionately contribute to preventable global deaths. Socioeconomic factors that impact on nutrition, household air pollution and access to healthcare negatively affect lung health and influence the epidemiology and severity of illness. These factors occur significantly more in LMICs. Concerted efforts by these countries and by HICs would help reduce these deaths and improve the future of these children. In this chapter, we centre on preventable deaths from respiratory diseases including pneumonia, chronic pulmonary diseases such as bronchiectasis, asthma, sickle cell disease-associated lung diseases, HIV-related lung diseases, rare lung diseases and neonatal respiratory disorders. We will demonstrate that LMICs have a greater burden of these conditions and give views on what ought to be done to reverse these worrying trends.

Cite as: Simba JM, Irungu A, Otido S, et al. Preventable deaths from respiratory diseases in children in low- and middle-income countries. In: Sinha IP, Lee A, Katikireddi SV, et al., eds. Inequalities in Respiratory Health (ERS Monograph). Sheffield, European Respiratory Society, 2023; pp. 194–202 [https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10005022].