Each day, Saint Paul hospital in Ba Dinh district and Thanh Nhan hospital in Hai Ba Trung district receive between 200-300 children, many of whom are diagnosed with pneumonia or bronchitis with varying degrees of complications.

Nguyen Tho Khao, director of the North Thang Long hospital, said respiratory diseases can become serious and life threatening, especially in infants below three months of age, malnourished babies, or young children with chronic diseases.

Cold winds and high humidity cause children vulnerable to lung and throat diseases, according to Dr Khao.

Dr Khao added that viruses, including flu, are the main cause of respiratory diseases in children.