Childhood diseases remain a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries such as India. Among these, asthma, neonatal septicemia, and anaemia represent critical health challenges affecting different pediatric age groups with varying clinical implications [1]. Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in children, characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction [2]. Its prevalence has been increasing globally, with environmental factors, urbanization, and genetic predisposition playing significant roles [3].

Neonatal septicemia, defined as systemic infection occurring in newborns, remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality despite advances in neonatal care [4]. Early-onset sepsis is often associated with maternal risk factors, whereas late-onset sepsis is frequently linked to hospital-acquired infections [5]. Prompt diagnosis and timely antibiotic therapy are essential to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal infections [6].

Anaemia in children, particularly iron deficiency anaemia, is a major public health problem in developing countries. It adversely affects cognitive development, immune function, and physical growth [7]. The burden of anaemia is especially high in preschool-aged children due to nutritional deficiencies, parasitic infections, and socio-economic factors [8].

Understanding the clinical profiles of these conditions in a tertiary care setting is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing management strategies. Previous studies have highlighted variability in clinical presentation depending on age, socio-economic status, and healthcare access [9]. However, comprehensive studies evaluating these three major pediatric conditions collectively in a single institutional setting are limited [10].

This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics, demographic distribution, and patterns of presentation of asthma, neonatal septicemia, and anaemia among children presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Pune, thereby contributing to improved clinical decision-making and public health planning.

A retrospective observational study was conducted at Surya Hospital, Pune, after obtaining institutional ethical approval. The study included 100 pediatric patients diagnosed with asthma, neonatal septicemia, or anaemia between January 2023 and December 2025. Patients were categorized based on clinical diagnosis and age group. Inclusion criteria consisted of confirmed diagnosis based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings. Exclusion criteria included incomplete medical records and patients with chronic comorbid conditions.

Data were extracted from hospital records, including demographic details (age, sex), clinical features, laboratory findings (hemoglobin levels, blood culture reports, inflammatory markers), and treatment outcomes. Asthma diagnosis was based on clinical history and spirometry where applicable. Neonatal septicemia was confirmed through clinical signs and positive blood cultures. Anaemia classification was based on WHO hemoglobin criteria.

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Overall Findings

Among 100 pediatric patients, asthma accounted for 40%, neonatal septicemia for 30%, and anaemia for 30% cases. Asthma was predominantly seen in older children, septicemia in neonates, and anaemia in younger children. Clinical presentation varied significantly across conditions.

Table 1

The age-wise distribution showed that asthma cases were predominantly observed in children aged 6–12 years (65%), whereas neonatal septicemia was confined to neonates within the first 28 days of life. Anaemia was most prevalent in children aged 1–5 years (60%). The association between age group and disease type was statistically significant (p<0.001), indicating distinct epidemiological patterns across pediatric conditions.

Table 1: Age Distribution by Disease Type

Table 2

Sex distribution revealed a male predominance in asthma (65%) and neonatal septicemia (60%), whereas anaemia showed a slight female predominance (55%). However, the association between sex and disease category was not statistically significant (p=0.08), suggesting that while trends exist, gender may not be a strong determinant of disease occurrence in this cohort.

Table 2: Sex Distribution

Table 3

Clinical features varied significantly among the three conditions. Wheezing and cough were predominant in asthma patients (90%), while neonatal septicemia commonly presented with lethargy (80%) and poor feeding (70%). Anaemia cases were characterized by pallor (95%) and fatigue (75%). These findings highlight distinct symptomatology aiding early clinical differentiation.

Table 3: Clinical Features

Table 4

Outcome analysis demonstrated that most asthma cases had favorable outcomes with standard therapy (95% recovery). Neonatal septicemia showed a recovery rate of 80%, with a mortality of 10%. Anaemia cases responded well to treatment, with 90% showing improvement. The difference in outcomes was statistically significant (p<0.05), emphasizing disease severity variation.

Table 4: Treatment Outcomes

The present study highlights the distinct clinical and demographic profiles of asthma, neonatal septicemia, and anaemia in a tertiary care setting. Asthma was predominantly observed in school-aged children, which aligns with findings from recent epidemiological studies indicating increased prevalence in urban pediatric populations due to environmental exposure and allergen sensitization [11]. The predominance of wheezing and cough as presenting symptoms is consistent with established diagnostic criteria [12].

Neonatal septicemia remains a critical concern, particularly in the early neonatal period. Our findings of high incidence within the first week of life correlate with studies emphasizing the role of perinatal risk factors and vertical transmission [13]. The high prevalence of lethargy and feeding intolerance observed in our study is in agreement with clinical patterns reported in recent neonatal sepsis literature [14]. Despite advances in neonatal care, the observed mortality rate underscores the need for early diagnosis and prompt intervention.

Anaemia was most prevalent among children aged 1–5 years, consistent with global data suggesting increased vulnerability in this age group due to rapid growth and nutritional deficiencies [15]. Pallor and fatigue were the most common clinical features, reflecting moderate to severe anaemia in most cases. These findings are comparable to recent Indian studies highlighting iron deficiency as the primary cause [16].

The male predominance observed in asthma and septicemia aligns with earlier studies, possibly due to biological susceptibility and healthcare-seeking behavior differences [17]. However, the lack of statistical significance suggests that gender alone may not be a decisive factor.

Outcome analysis revealed excellent recovery rates in asthma and anaemia, while septicemia showed comparatively poorer outcomes. This disparity reflects disease severity and the critical nature of neonatal infections [18]. Similar trends have been reported in multicenter studies evaluating pediatric morbidity patterns [19].

The study emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, standardized treatment protocols, and preventive strategies such as immunization, nutritional interventions, and maternal care. Strengthening neonatal intensive care and public health programs can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions [20].

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical profiles of asthma, neonatal septicemia, and anaemia in children at a tertiary care center. Each condition demonstrated distinct age distribution, clinical presentation, and outcomes. Asthma was predominant in older children with favorable outcomes, while neonatal septicemia remained a serious condition with significant mortality. Anaemia was highly prevalent among younger children, emphasizing the need for nutritional interventions. The findings highlight the continued burden of preventable pediatric diseases and the importance of early detection and timely management. Strengthening healthcare systems, improving awareness, and implementing targeted public health strategies are essential to reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality. Further multicentric studies are recommended to validate these findings and support evidence-based clinical practice.

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