Spectrum of Paediatric Intestinal Obstruction in a Tertiary Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Paediatric intestinal obstruction is a common surgical emergency and is associated with lots of morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Paediatric intestinal obstruction differs from adult intestinal obstruction in terms of aetiology, presentation, management and outcome. This study reports the demography, diagnosis, management and outcome of paediatric intestinal obstruction in pediatric surgical unit of a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of paediatric patients who presented with intestinal obstruction to the paediatric surgical unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Enugu, South East Nigeria. Children above one month of age but below 15 years, who presented with symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction, were recruited for the study. Intestinal obstruction in neonates was excluded from this study. The study period was for one year, from January 1st 2018 to December 31st 2018. Result: During the period of the study 45 cases, 30 (66.7%) males and 15 (33.3%) females were managed. The mean age of the patients was 52.2 months. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom and intussusception was the most common cause of intestinal obstruction. Forty two patients (93.3%) did well and were discharged. Two patients (4.4%) died while one patient (2.2%) was discharged against medical advice. Conclusion: Intussusception was the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in the current study. The mortality of 4.4% recorded in this study can be improved upon.