Table 3.

Suggested admission criteria for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia

Definite admission	Age <1 month Oxygen saturation ≤92% Signs of significant respiratory distress (tachypnea/apnea, significant work of breathing) Signs of sepsis or toxic appearance Complicated pneumonia on chest radiograph (effusion/empyema, pneumatocele, necrosis, or lung abscess)
Probable admission	Age 1–3 months Oxygen saturation 93%–94% Significant comorbidity (chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, etc) Significant burden of disease (multilobar or complete lobar consolidation) Immunocompromise (sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus, post-splenectomy, malignancy/recent chemotherapy) Unresolving or worsening illness Significant dehydration/vomiting Inability of parents/caregivers to ensure adequate observation or follow-up
Consider admission	Age 3–6 months Failure of outpatient treatment, especially if any clinical deterioration Larger infiltrate or significant atelectasis on chest radiograph
Outpatient therapy	Non-ill or minimally ill child Uncomplicated mild pneumonia Adequate oxygenation Tolerating feeds well Reliable parents for observation and follow-up

Data from Refs.175, 181, 189, 194, 199