Seeking interventions to reduce post-discharge mortality among children in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Children discharged from hospital in sub-Saharan Africa have a high risk of mortality and re-admission.1 In many settings, the risk of mortality in the first few months after discharge equals, or even exceeds, in-hospital mortality.1 Children hospitalised with severe anaemia (haemoglobin <6 g/dL) are a particularly vulnerable group with poor long-term outcomes. Current WHO guidelines recommend 3 months of iron and folic acid, together with anthelmintic treatment. The trial by Kathryn Maitland and colleagues,2 reported in The Lancet Global Health, tested two additional interventions during this high-risk period: provision of multiple micronutrients and broad antimicrobial prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole.