FREQUENTLY ILL CHILDREN: A REVIEW OF ETIOLOGY, CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND APPROACHES TO MANAGEMENT
Keywords:
frequently ill children; recurrent respiratory infections; pediatric immunology; environmental risk factors; management; preventionAbstract
Frequently ill children (FIC) represent a heterogeneous group prone to recurrent respiratory infections, often leading to impaired quality of life and increased healthcare utilization. The etiology is multifactorial and includes age-related immunological immaturity, environmental exposures, chronic foci of infection, allergic diseases, and psychosocial factors. This review summarizes current evidence on definitions, pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical evaluation, and management strategies for FIC. The analysis highlights the importance of distinguishing physiological infection frequency from underlying pathology, the role of vaccination, lifestyle modification, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. Evidence-based recommendations for clinicians and public health practitioners are provided.
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