Pneumonitis refers to the inflammatory response in the lung parenchyma, and when this inflammation is triggered by infectious microorganisms, it is termed pneumonia. The responsible microbial agents may include bacteria, viruses, or parasites. According to the definition provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) within the framework of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program, pneumonia in children is clinically characterized as a sudden onset of cough, which may or may not be associated with fever, accompanied by respiratory distress or an elevated respiratory rate (tachypnea). The present study aimed to investigate the principles of diagnosis and treatment in children with acute pneumonia. Following the effective execution of global strategies targeting the control and treatment of acute gastrointestinal infections and related gastroenteritis, in recent years, attention has increasingly shifted to acute respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, as the leading infectious cause of mortality among children in developing countries. The diagnosis of pneumonia is predominantly clinical and is usually categorized into bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, and acute pneumonia. This classification is based on four essential criteria: clinical manifestations, epidemiological context, radiological imaging findings, and basic laboratory test results. In each category of pneumonia, diagnosis relies on the distinctive characteristics of the disease presentation, guiding the selection of an appropriate treatment plan. Accurate and up-to-date knowledge among physicians regarding the principles of diagnosing and managing pneumonia in children is essential. Optimizing clinical decision-making without imposing unnecessary healthcare costs can significantly contribute to reducing both the mortality and morbidity associated with this common and serious pediatric condition.
