We report here the results of a study to determine the long-term survival of children admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia. The mortality rates were 4.8 and. Children in Gambia who survive hospital admission with hypoxaemic pneumonia have a good prognosis.
Survival depends more on nutritional status than on having been hypoxaemic.
Investment in oxygen therapy appears justified, and efforts should be made to improve nutrition in malnourished children with pneumonia.