Recurrent lung infections in children often indicate an underlying chronic condition. This study aims to evaluate the etiological distribution, radiological findings, and clinical characteristics of patients. We retrospectively reviewed 480 patients (aged 0–18 years) with a history of recurrent pneumonia followed between 2014 and 2023. Male predominance (59.6%) was observed, and the median age at first infection was 1 year. An underlying etiology was identified in 84% of cases, with asthma (54.3%) and cardiovascular diseases (38.5%) being the most frequent causes. Thoracic computerized tomography (CT) most commonly revealed right middle lobe atelectasis. Patients with bronchiectasis had significantly higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) compared to those without (1.48 vs 1.0; p<0.05). Early identification of underlying causes, recognition of risk factors, regular monitoring of accessible biomarkers such as NLR, and timely intervention are crucial to prevent irreversible lung damage, including bronchiectasis.

Keywords: Recurrent pneumonia, asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchoscopy, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio