Paediatric anaemia at Kamuzu Central Hospital

This retrospective study assessed the outcome of children admitted during a six week period to KCH with anaemia. 19 percent of admissions had a primary discharge diagnosis of anaemia and there was a 12 percent mortality. et2 percent had a diagnosis that included both malaria and anaemia; but malaria was only documentated in 36 percent. Malaria may be over-diagnosed. More data is required to determine whether delays in obtaining blood for transfusion influence mortality