Paediatric Mortality: a Review of Causes among Admissions at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (January 2003 - December 2005)

Abstract

Summary  Background: Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) which seeks to reduce child mortality globally can only be achieved if the causes of the deaths are known.

Objectives: To review the pattern of paediatric deaths at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and identify possible preventive measures.

Materials and Methods: Data of all paediatric deaths documented between January 2003 and December 2005 in the mortality cards of the department of paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, were reviewed retrospectively, and analysed.

Results: Out of 3,959 admissions, 304 (7.67 percent) died; 52.3 percent of those that died were males, and 47.4 percent females, while the remaining one was of an ambiguous gender. Neonatal deaths accounted for 53.3 percent of the deaths, while 90.1 percent were aged under five years. The duration of admission ranged from 0.25 to 4704 hours with 40.8 percent and 58.22 percent of the deaths occurring within 24 and 72 hours, respectively. The major disease categories in the deceased were infections/infestations in 37.9 percent, perinatal conditions in 34.7 percent and nutritional deficiencies in 10 percent.

Conclusions: The under-fives, especially neonates, remain vulnerable to highly preventable or treatable conditions with infections and neonatal conditions being the major causes, while HIV and AIDS are the emerging challenges. MDG4 can only be attained if all well-known high impact strategies such as improved management of obstetric, neonatal and paediatric emergencies, nutritional interventions and control of HIV/AIDS are widely implemented.

Keywords: Paediatric deaths, tertiary health facility, causes, prevention.