The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) will soon conduct single or multi-centric task force project in pneumonia, which has been the leading single cause of childhood mortality in the country.

Worldwide there are 156 million cases of pneumonia per year, of which 151 million cases occur in developing world, half of which are in India. Of these, 7-13 per cent are severe and life threatening, contributing to nearly 19 per cent of all deaths in children below 5 years of age. The ICMR is seized of the gravity of the issue and has already invited proposals from the scientists of the country to conduct single or multi-centric research project in pneumonia, said senior ICMR officials.

The officials said that the research will be conducted on the priority areas like Epidemiological study, Clinical study and Health System Research.

Under the Epidemiological study,the research will focus on to determine etiological agents, antimicrobial susceptibility, change over time from at tertiary and community level; risk factors for pneumonia (role of micronutrients, breastfeeding, Vit D, indoor air pollution etc); role of atypical micro organism and ARI in HIV infected children; clinical algorithm for diagnosis of pneumonia specially in newborns and young infants; biomarkers for diagnosis of pneumonia; and use of molecular technique (PCR based method) for better and specific detection of infection due to wide range of microbial agents.

In the area of clinical study, the research will focus on treatment protocol for pneumonia in neonates and young infants; improved case management strategy at community setting; and feasibility study to for incorporating metered dose inhalers at primary health care setting; oral antimicrobial treatment for severe pneumonia; and home based care for severe pneumonia.

Senior officials said that the research on Health System Research will focus on strengthening health care facility and capacity building of health care providers to increase their in the community; strategies to improve utilization of facilities by communities/ improve outcomes of children brought to the facility; and ational use of antibiotic treatment and cost effectiveness study of implementing best practices at various level of health care.

The ICMR has already invited research proposals from scientists of various recognized research institutions (governmental and recognized non governmental), universities, medical colleges, etc. in the country.