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Abstract Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children and accounts for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years old. (1) 99% of these deaths occur in developing countries and infections are causes 70% of deaths. (2) Etiological factors vary with age, source of infection (community vs. hospital acquired pneumonia) and underlying host defects (e. g. immunodeficiency (3); Viruses are the most common etiological factors in preschool children, although in many cases more than one causative agents can be identified. There are several emerging pathogens in community acquired pneumonia in children: virulent strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that are not present in currently available vaccines. (4) Diagnosis in most of milder cases of community acquired pneumonia is based on clinical judgement alone, since laboratory tests and radiologic examination do not provide clues concerning etiology. Children with severe pneumonia, hospital acquired pneumonia and immunocompromised children require invasive diagnostic approach. (5) Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a sensitive diagnostic tool to identify pneumonia in children. It is also useful in following up the progress of pneumonia. (6) Despite the fact, that if properly diagnosed and treated pneumonia resolves with no residual changes, in some cases due to pathogen virulence and/or host susceptibility its course might be complicated with pleural effusion and empyema, pneumoatocele, lung abscess or necrotizing pneumonia. (7). |