Estimating Pneumonia Deaths in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Theodoratou Evropi, Zhang Jian, Shayne F. Kolcic, Ivana Davis, Andrew M. Bhopal, Sunil Nair, Harish Chan, Kit Yee Liu, Li Johnson, Hope Rudan, Igor Campbell, Harry
Primary Institution: Centre for Population Health Sciences, University of Edinburgh Medical School
Hypothesis
To estimate the number and global distribution of pneumonia deaths for children aged 1–59 months in 2008 in countries with low or no death certification.
Conclusion
The study estimated that there were 1.18 million post-neonatal pneumonia deaths in 2008, representing 23.27% of all post-neonatal deaths in 122 countries.
Supporting Evidence
- Pneumonia is the leading cause of child deaths globally.
- The study estimated 1.18 million pneumonia deaths for children aged 1–59 months in 2008.
- Pneumonia deaths accounted for 23.27% of all post-neonatal deaths in the studied countries.
- The study used regression models to estimate pneumonia mortality in countries with low death certification.
Takeaway
Pneumonia is a big problem for kids, especially in poor countries, and many children die from it each year.
Methodology
The study used regression models based on vital registration data and verbal autopsy data to estimate pneumonia deaths.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on models and incomplete data from high mortality countries.
Limitations
The study could not estimate sex-specific pneumonia mortality rates due to inadequate data.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 1–59 months in 122 countries with low or no death certification.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.77 M–1.80 M
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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