Partha Pratim Halder
Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, India

Parinita Ranjit
Department of General Medicine, Tamrolipto Government Medical College and hospital, India

Barnali Ghosh Das
Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, India

Anupama Kumari
Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, India

Abstract

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (non-CF BE) is increasingly recognised as an important cause of chronic respiratory morbidity in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While cystic fibrosis remains the leading cause in Western countries, infections and tuberculosis predominate in India. Understanding regional differences in etiology and presentation is essential for effective prevention and management. This study aimed to analyse the etiology and clinical presentation of non-CF bronchiectasis in children attending a tertiary care centre in Eastern India over five years. A retrospective review was conducted of children (<18 years) diagnosed with bronchiectasis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) between January 2018 and December 2022. Children with confirmed cystic fibrosis were excluded. Clinical features, etiological factors, and HRCT findings were obtained from hospital records and analysed descriptively. A total of 56 children (male:female ratio 1.6:1, mean age 8.7 ± 3.2 years) were included. The most common etiologies were post-infectious (42.8%), post-tubercular (18.2%), primary immunodeficiency (14.3%), congenital airway anomalies (9.5%), and primary ciliary dyskinesia (7.1%). Common symptoms included chronic cough (96.8%), expectoration (72.2%), and recurrent pneumonia (58.7%). Failure to thrive was observed in 44.4% and clubbing in 31%. HRCT findings showed predominant lower lobe involvement (62%) and multilobar disease in 24%. Non-CF bronchiectasis in Indian children is mainly post-infectious and post-tubercular, differing from Western populations. Delayed diagnosis and advanced disease are common, highlighting the need for improved immunisation, early tuberculosis detection, and better diagnostic access.

Key words: Non-CF bronchiectasis, Children, India, Etiology, Clinical presentation