In the first major revision since development almost 30 years ago, the guidelines downgraded the key physical sign previously used to identify severe pneumonia cases – in-drawn lower chest wall — as a sign of non-severe pneumonia which does not need the child to be hospitalised. Pneumonia, a disease that presents with a cough accompanied by short laboured breathing, is the leading killer in Kenya. EXPRESSED CONCERNKEMRI-Wellcome Trust’s Ambrose Agweyu analysed data of 16,031 children suffering from pneumonia in 14 of Kenya’s County Hospitals before the new guidelines were formally rolled out. Just like the FEAST Trial, these pneumonia guidelines favoured well-equipped hospitals with advanced medical equipment that would monitor negative turns in treatment. Dr Agweyu recommends “modifying” the guidelines to take into account the risk factors identified in his study.

Source: Daily Nation January 08, 2018 18:45 UTC