Pattern of childhood morbidity and outcome of childhood admissions in Imo state university teaching hospital Orlu Imo state: A 3year review

Abstract

Background: Despite several strategies put in place to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality, the mortality rate still remains high in developing countries with only marginal reduction achieved over the past decades. It is therefore important to periodically review the morbidity pattern and outcome of childhood hospital admissions so as to compare the progress achieved over time. This will also bring to the fore, the need to strengthen the already existing childhood survival strategy or to determine if there are needs for newer interventions.

Materials and methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study. The admission and discharge records between 2010-2013 were reviewed. The age, sex, diagnosis and duration of hospital stay were retrieved from the patients’ records.

Results: A total of 1271 cases were analyzed, 765 (60.2%) male and 506 (39.8%) with a male: female ratio of 1.5:1. Approximately 72% of the cases studied were children ≤5 years. The mean age of boys and girls were 3.77±4.88years and 3.80±4.79 years respectively. Malaria (22.3%), gastroenteritis (8.6%), pneumonia (8.5%) and sepsis (7.6%) were the commonest causes of paediatric admissions while 3.5% of the patients reviewed had unspecified diseases. About 83.4% of the patients were discharged while about 9% of the patients died.

Conclusions: Childhood morbidity and mortality in Imo state university is still high with majority of admissions occurring in children ≤5years. About 46% of the cases seen were due to preventable diseases - malaria, gastroenteritis, pneumonia and sepsis. Majority of these hospital admissions occur in the under –five children. Efforts should be intensified to step up implementation of strategies that will improve childhood survival.  Education of caregivers, early presentation to the hospital, prompt diagnosis and proper management of these patients should be encouraged.