Complications and long-term impact of early-life acute lower respiratory tract infections

Early life LRTIs especially pneumonia, are a major contributor to childhood morbidity and may lead to long-term respiratory complications. This narrative review synthesized global evidence from 1995 to 2025, highlighting pathogen-specific outcomes, environmental influences, and implications for adult lung health. This reviewed of studies from high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), focusing on children aged 0–3 years with clinically or radiologically confirmed LRTIs. Complications noted included asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis obliterans, and restrictive lung disease. Risk factors included hospitalization, prematurity, HIV, and environmental exposures. RSV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and adenovirus are key pathogens. COVID-19 and maternal infections also contribute to long-term vulnerability. Early LRTIs were noted to be markers of future respiratory risk. Prevention, early intervention, and long-term monitoring are essential, especially in LMICs.