A review of autopsies at the university teaching hospital, Lusaka

Findings in all clinical autopsies performed in 1975 are presented. The autopsy rate for all deaths was 17%, it was only 10% in childhood deaths, but rose to nearly 34% if stillbirths and neonatal deaths are excluded. The main causes of death are classified in major fields. In adults neoplasms were the commonest cause of death with acute infections and cardiac diseases following in order of importance. The value of the clinical autopsy is briefly discussed.