Audit of Early Deaths in the Pediatric Department of the Pikine National Hospital Center
Abstract:
Background and Aim: Infant and child mortality constitute a major public health problem throughout the world. Most of these deaths are due to preventable or treatable causes. Globally, it is linked to pathologies such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria. No study has been carried out on early mortality among children at the Pikine National Hospital (CHNP). The main objective was to study the indicators of early deaths in the pediatric department of the Pikine National Hospital (CHNP). The specific objectives were to assess early mortality rates among children aged 0 to 15, to describe the epidemiological characteristics linked to their deaths and to identify the causes of early death.
Material and Methods: This were a prospective and descriptive study carried out over a period of 24 months from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, and was conducted at CHNP. It concerned children aged 0 to 15 years hospitalized, whether they arrived deceased or died within 72 hours of their hospitalization whatever the cause. Clinical data were entered into Epi info V 7.2 and SPSS version 23 software.
Results: The number of hospitalizations was 3136 children, including 110 early deaths, representing a mortality rate of 3.5%. The average ages of children 0 to 28 days, 1 to 59 months, and 5 to 15 years were 2.6 days, 9.1 months, and 9.6 years, respectively. The sex ratio was 1.2. The main symptoms were respiratory distress (22.7%), lethargy (18.2%) and fever (9%). Hypoxemia and hypothermia were found in 65.4% and 63.6% respectively on physical examination. The diagnoses retained in newborns were neonatal infection (48.4%) and neonatal asphyxia (34.4%). In children aged 1 to 59 months, pneumonia (41.6%) and gastroenteritis (33.3%) were found. Children who died within the first 6 hours after hospitalization were 39.1% of cases. Among newborns, the causes of death were prematurity, neonatal infection and asphyxia respectively at 56.9%, 50.5% and 35.5%. In children aged 1 to 59 months (n = 12), pneumonia and malnutrition were noted in 66.7% and 41.7% respectively. In children older than 5 years (n = 5), the causes were varied.
Conclusion: Pediatric mortality remains a major public health problem with deaths linked to preventable or treatable causes. Hence the importance of early, rapid and optimal care for children.
