Aetiology and severity of childhood pneumonia in primary care in Malawi: a cohort study (original) (raw)
ObjectiveTo determine the aetiology of community acquired pneumonia in children presenting to primary care in Northern Malawi, and to ascertain predictors for identification of children requiring hospitalisation.DesignThe BIOmarkers TO diagnose PnEumonia study was a prospective cohort study conducted from March to June 2016.SettingPrimary care in Northern Malawi.Patients494 children aged 2 –59 months with WHO defined pneumonia.Main outcome(s) and measure(s)Number of children with bacterial infection identified and the sensitivity/specificity of WHO markers of severity for need for hospitalisation.Results13 (2.6%) children had a bacterium consistent with pneumonia identified. A virus consistent with pneumonia was identified in in 448 (90.7%) of children. 56 children were admitted to hospital and two children died within 30 days. 442 (89.5%) received antibiotic therapy. Eleven children (2.6%) had HIV. WHO severity markers at baseline demonstrated poor sensitivity for the need for hosp...
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