Pathology and causes of death in a series of human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative pediatric referral hospital admissions in Botswana.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about causes of death among children seriously affected by the AIDS epidemic in southern African countries.


METHODS
Autopsies were performed on 47 children 1 month to 13 years of age in Francistown, Botswana, between July 1997 and July 1998.


RESULTS
Median age was 10 months; 68% were HIV-positive. The leading cause of death was respiratory infection, accounting for 29 of 35 (83%) deaths among HIV-positive and 8 of 12 (67%) deaths among HIV-negative children. Among HIV-positive children, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) was responsible for 31% of all deaths and for 48% of deaths in infants < or =1 year. Among children < or =2 years with cough and dyspnea, age < or =1 year, interstitial infiltrate and HIV positivity were highly predictive of PCP (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 63%).


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory disease accounted for most deaths in HIV-positive children. Children < or =1 year who are known or suspected to be HIV-positive and who have cough, dyspnea and pulmonary infiltrates should be treated presumptively for PCP.
Ansari
Naseem A
NA
BOTUSA Project, Gaborone, Botswana.
Kombe
Ally H
AH
Kenyon
Thomas A
TA
Mazhani
Loeto
L
Binkin
Nancy
N
Tappero
Jordan W
JW
Gebrekristos
Tesfaye
T
Nyirenda
Samabyawo
S
Lucas
Sebastian B
SB
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology