What is the major cause of death in children under 5 years of age among the following diseases?

Correct option is A

Sol. Pneumonia is the leading cause of death in children under five, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs, and in young children, it rapidly causes breathing difficulty and low oxygen levels. It is preventable with vaccines (e.g., Hib, pneumococcal) and treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
Explanation of each option:
· (a) Pneumonia – Correct Answer. Responsible for about 15% of all deaths of children under 5 globally (WHO data). Fast-acting and deadly without prompt treatment.
· (b) Measles – Can be fatal in malnourished children but is less deadly compared to pneumonia in terms of global burden.
· (c) Chicken pox – Usually self-limiting in children and rarely causes death. Complications are uncommon in healthy kids.
· (d) Hepatitis – Chronic hepatitis complications occur later in life. Acute hepatitis is less common in under-five children and rarely fatal.