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Deaths at home and in hospital in Zimbabwe
1Department of Paediatrics, United Bulawayo Hospitals, Zimbabwe.
Insights
Young children, particularly those 2 years old and under, face high mortality rates from infections, with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) being a leading cause. Many pediatric deaths show positive HIV-1 serology, underscoring the impact of the virus.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric mortality remains a significant global health concern.
- Infections are a leading cause of death in young children worldwide.
- The impact of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on pediatric mortality requires ongoing investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of death in children under 13 years of age.
- To identify the most frequent diagnoses and contributing factors in pediatric mortality.
- To determine the prevalence of HIV-1 serology in deceased children.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted over one year.
- Data collected on children who died at home, en route to hospital, or in hospital.
- Causes of death and HIV-1 serology were analyzed for all participants.
Main Results:
- The majority of deaths (86% dead on arrival, 77% died after admission) occurred in children aged 2 years or less.
- Infections were the most common cause of death in both groups.
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) was the leading specific cause of death, accounting for 35% of "dead on arrival" deaths and 22% of deaths after admission.
- Positive HIV-1 serology was found in 47% of "dead on arrival" and 41% of "died after admission" groups.
Conclusions:
- Young children, especially infants, are disproportionately affected by fatal infections.
- HIV/AIDS is a major contributor to pediatric mortality in the studied population.
- A significant proportion of pediatric deaths are associated with HIV-1 infection, highlighting the need for prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
A prospective study was done of children less than 13 years of age, who died at home or on their way to hospital and those who died in hospital, over a one year period. Fifty seven (86%) of the 66 children who were dead on arrival and 94 (77%) of the 122 children who died after admission were 2 years old or less. The main causes of death in both groups were identical and infections were the most frequent diagnosis. AIDS was the most common cause with 23 (35%) of the deaths in the children who were dead on arrival and 27 (22%) of the deaths in the children who died after admission. An overall positive HIV-I serology was found in 31 (47%) of the children in the dead on arrival group and in 50 (41%) of the children in the group that died after admission.