Table 2

Characteristics, co-existing medical conditions and diagnosis of children aged <60 months with severe malnutrition.

HIV-positive children

n (%)

HIV-negative children

n (%)

Odds ratio

(95% CI)

Symptoms and signs

(n = 123)

(n = 192)

Diarrhoea (all)

52 (42)

67 (35)

1.4 (0.9–2.2)

Persistent diarrhoea (>2 weeks)

32 (26)

28 (15)

2.1 (1.1–3.8)*

Oral thrush

20 (16)

15 (8)

2.3 (1.1–4.7)*

Bilateral oedema (nutritional)

53 (43)

119 (62)

0.5 (0.3–0.7)*

Severe dehydration

7 (6)

11 (6)

1.0 (0.4–2.7)

Chest x-ray findings

(n = 109)

(n = 158)

Bronchopneumonia

26 (24)

48 (30)

0.7 (0.4–1.3)

Interstitial pneumonia

40 (37)

48 (30)

1.3 (0.8–2.2)

Suspected tuberculosis

14 (13)

18 (11)

1.2 (0.5–2.4)

Blood tests

(n = 122)

(n = 191)

Malarial parasites

10 (9)

19 (11)

0.9 (0.4–1.9)

Severe anaemia (Hb < 5 g/dL)

10 (8)

2 (6)

1.3 (0.6–3.3)

Bacteraemia

24 (20)

32 (17)

1.2 (0.7–2.2)

Urine tests

(n = 109)

(n = 160)

Bacteruria

33 (30)

36 (23)

1.5 (0.9–2.6)

*Statistically significant

Bachou et al. Nutrition Journal 2006 5:27   doi:10.1186/1475-2891-5-27