[Visceral leishmaniasis in children: prognostic factors]

The morbidity and death rate of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is important. The aim of our study is to find prognosis factors of VL. Two hundred and thirty two children with VL were retrospectively studied. These children were followed in Rabta and Kairouan hospitals between 1985 and 1998. We identify 7 prognosis factors, at the hospital admission, visit delayed more than 56 days, fever during more than 21 days, normal or low temperature, haemorrhagic syndrome hemoglobin rate < 5.5 g/dl, sedimentation rate < 25 mm and hypoalbuminaemia < 30 g/l. The presence of one prognosis factors or more appears to consider amphotericin B as a first-line treatment.