Neurological Symptoms and Cause of Death Among Young Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
Sara AjanovicZachary J MadewellShams El ArifeenEmily S GurleyMohammad Zahid HossainKazi Munisul IslamAfruna RahmanNega AssefaLola MadridMohammednur AbdulahiKitiezo Aggrey IgunzaFlorence MurilaGunturu RevathiMugah ChristopherSamba O SowKaren L KotloffMilagritos D TapiaCheik Bougadari TraorInacio MandomandoElisio XerindaRosauro VaroMilton KincardettIkechukwu U OgbuanuPhillip Nwajiobi-PrincewillAlim Swarray-DeenRonita LukeShabir A MadhiSana MahtabZiyaad DangorJeanie du ToitVictor AkeloPortia MutevedziBeth A Tippett BarrDianna M BlauCynthia G WhitneyQuique Bassatnull nullPublished in: JAMA network open (2024)
In this cross-sectional study of children aged younger than 5 years, neurological symptoms were frequent before death. However, clinical phenotypes were insufficient to differentiate the most common underlying neurological diagnoses. The low rate of lumbar punctures performed was especially worrying, suggesting a challenge in quality of care of children presenting with neurological symptoms. Improved diagnostic management of neurological emergencies is necessary to ultimately reduce mortality in this vulnerable population.