retrospective descriptive study of 100 cases of kala-azar in a teaching hospital in Baghdad

ABSTRACT

This is a descriptive, retrospective study of 100 cases of Kala-azar admitted to Saddam Central Teaching Hospital for Children during 13 months [1 Jan. 1989 - 31 Jan. 1990] to find and discuss the epidemiological and clinical criteria of the disease. All our cases were under the age of 5 years [except one], while the symptoms and signs were fever [100%], splenomegaly [95%], hepatomegaly [92%], anorexia [70%], respiratory and gastro-intestinal tracts infections [50% and 30% respectively]. There were less than 10% suffering from jaundic, edema or bleeding tendency. There was no sex difference in the cases; and 82% of them were from Al-Anbar and Babylon governorates, in addition to Baghdad city. more cases were found in winter and spring