Author/Authors :
Adeboye, MAN Departments of Paediatrics - Microbiology - Chemical Pathology - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospita - Ilorin, Nigeria , Ojuawo, A Departments of Paediatrics - Microbiology - Chemical Pathology - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospita - Ilorin, Nigeria , Ernest, SK Departments of Paediatrics - Microbiology - Chemical Pathology - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospita - Ilorin, Nigeria , Fadeyi, A Departments of Paediatrics - Microbiology - Chemical Pathology - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospita - Ilorin, Nigeria , Salisu, OT Departments of Paediatrics - Microbiology - Chemical Pathology - University of Ilorin Teaching Hospita - Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Mortality among emergency paediatric
admissions within the first 24 hours is high in resource- poor
nations. Measures to reduce the childhood mortality rate can
only be effectively planned and implemented when the causes
and magnitude of this problem are well defined.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the mortality pattern among
emergency paediatric admissions within the first 24 hours in
a health facility in Nigeria.
METHODS: The clinical state and progress of post-neonatal
patients who presented alive and were admitted into the
emergency paediatric room of the University of Ilorin Teaching
Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria were monitored over a period of six
months. The monitoring included records of diagnosis and
outcome of management.
RESULTS: A total of 606 children were admitted during the
period of study out of which 51(8.4%) died. Twenty-nine (57%)
of the deaths occurred within the first 24 hours of admission
comprising 15 (51.7%) males and 14 (48.3%) females giving
M:F ratio of about of 1:1. Majority of the deaths were among
patients who reported late to the hospital. Loss of
consciousness was a strong risk factor for mortality within
24 hours of admission. The highest mortality within the first
24 hours of admission was recorded among patients with
malaria (89.0%) followed by protein energy malnutrition.
CONCLUSION: Majority of deaths among emergency paediatric
admission occur within the first 24 hours of admission and
are associated with clinical conditions such as malaria and
protein-energy malnutrition for which sustained intervention
strategies must be developed.
Keywords :
emergency admissions , malaria , Mortality , Children