The contribution of minimally invasive tissue sampling compared to antemortem-derived cause of death determination among inpatient child deaths: the minimally invasive tissue sampling in Malawi study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Improved causes of death (CoD) understanding in low- and middle-income countries is needed to reduce child mortality. Compared to full autopsy, minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), using transcutaneous needle sampling, is a feasible, socially acceptable, and validated method. We aimed to quantify the additional contribution of MITS to CoD attribution based on clinical records and inpatient research data with intensive patient characterisation.

Methods

We enrolled children aged seven days to 59 months who died while on admission for acute illness and/or severe malnutrition to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Standard MITS procedures included histologic, immunohistochemical, and microbiologic testing. Phase 1 CoD determination was based on

SUBMITTER: Voskuijl WP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12319396 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature