Review of respiratory infections in a developing country.

Two hundred and seventy-one patients were studied, who had been admitted to the University Hospital, Kinshasa between 1975 and May 1979 with pulmonary infections including pulmonary tuberculosis. Patients' ages ranged between 0-66 years (mean 12 years). Major incidence was between 0-5 years: 90 cases (33%) between 0-1 year and 86 cases (32%) between 1-5 years. Only 95 cases (35%) ranged from 5-66 years. Principal treatment was based on pleural drainage combined with medical treatment. In complicated cases, major thoracic surgery was performed. The mortality rate of 44 cases (16%) mainly very young children, demonstrates the severity of respiratory infections in childhood. It is concluded that many cases result from the poor general physical condition of most of these patients.