Pneumonia in Children and Comorbid Rhinosinusitis

Community-acquired pneumonia is the major infectious disease cause of death in children. Despite the mortality rate decreases with years, 80% of deaths occur in the first 2 years of children. Pneumonia can be caused by different pathogens, most prominently viruses and bacteria. It is still the most common cause of pediatric emergency department visits and hospitalization in developed countries. Chronic rhinosinusitis is diagnosed with persistent symptoms despite standard medical treatment for at least three months. Pneumonia and rhinosinusitis may be different manifestations of common pathophysiology. The relationship between the upper and lower airways suggests that the airways are a single functional unit. The association of pneumonia with sinusitis cannot be explained by only infection or inflammation of the airway. Congenital or functional diseases that cause recurrent respiratory infections should be investigated.