Analysis of admissions to the Arthur Davidson Children's Hospital, Ndola.

The frequency of infectious diseases in 6543 children hospitalised in the year 1974-75 in Arthur Davidson Hospital is analysed. Airborne infections including pneumonias and bronchopneumonias were found in 53.7% of the children and in 79.4% of those who died. Measles was found in 1112 children with a mortality rate of 15.6%. Measles and Malaria were among the top five killer diseases in Arthur Davidson Hospital. Of the airborne infections, measles, tuberculosis, laryngotracheobronchitis and pyogenic meningitis are the worst. Some problems concerning prevention and diagnosis are stressed. Improvement in the diagnosis of infectious diseases will depend on improvement in laboratory facilities.