REVIEW OF RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS IN A DEVELOPING-COUNTRY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (7) , 481-486
Abstract
Patients (271) were studied, who had been admitted to the University Hospital, Kinshasa [Zaire] between 1975 and May 1979 with pulmonary infections including pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients'' ages ranged between 0-66 yr (mean 12 yr). Major incidence was between 0-5 years: 90 cases (33%) between 0-1 yr and 86 cases (32%) between 1-5 yr. Only 95 cases (35%) ranged from 5-66 yr. Principal treatment was based on pleural drainage combined with medical treatment. In complicated cases, major thoracic surgery was performed. The mortality rate of 44 cases (16%) mainly very young children, demonstrates the severity of respiratory infections in childhood. Evidently, many cases result from the poor general physical condition of most of these patients.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: