Pattern and outcome of paediatric medical admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu: a five year retrospective review (2007 – 2011)

Abstract

Background : Most health information from Nigeria and other developing countries are based on hospital records which although may not be a true representative of the whole population, they serve as pointers. Such information has shown that infections and malnutrition remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality , although non-communicable diseases also pose substantial threat to child health. Objective : To review the pattern, trend and outcome of paediatric admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital over a five year period. Methods : Patients admitted into the main pediatric wards of the hospital over a five year period were reviewed, through information obtained from their case notes. Neonates, surgical and trauma patients as well as patients admitted into the children’s emergency room were excluded. Results : Infections (44.5%) were the leading causes of hospital admissions while non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of death in this study with an overall mortality rate of 9%. Conclusion : Despite all efforts over the years, infections continue to pose serious challenges to child health in developing countries. At the same time, non-communicable diseases are taking over as leading causes of mortality. Therefore, as we make stronger efforts to tackle infections and malnutrition, we should make provisions for improved diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases. Key words : Outcome, Paediatric, medical admissions, Enugu.