Postmortem Study of Cause of Death Among Children Hospitalized With Respiratory Illness in Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In resource-limited settings, acute respiratory infections continue to be the leading cause of death in young children. We conducted postmortem investigations in children <5 years hospitalized with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory disease at Kenya's largest referral hospital.

Methods

We collected respiratory and other tissues postmortem to examine pathologic processes using histology, molecular and immunohistochemistry assays. Nasopharyngeal, trachea, bronchi and lung specimens were tested using 21-target respiratory pathogen real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays deployed on Taqman Array Cards. Expert panels reviewed all findings to determine causes of death and associated pathogens.

Results

From 2014 to 2015, we investigated 6

SUBMITTER: Njuguna HN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8274582 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature