Deaths Associated with Respiratory Tract Infection in Childhood

Abstract

Of 22 children with respiratory tract infections who died in Newcastle and Durham hospitals during a 27-month period, 19 were less than 1 year old. Nine had major congenital abnormalities. Bacterial infections were apparently responsible for only 6 of the 22 deaths. Respiratory syncytial virus was the only potential pathogen isolated from eight of the children ; it was isolated from necropsy lung specimens in seven of these cases, including all four cases of pneumonia with no apparent bacterial cause ; and it was also isolated from the upper respiratory tract and the lung of a child with haemophilus epiglottitis. No other viruses were incriminated in any of the 22 cases. Sudden and substantially irreversible collapse was a common feature, especially in the cases not apparently caused by bacteria. Investigation of the blood-gas levels and biochemical changes in such children is suggested as the most promising approach to improved management. © 1967, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.