TITLE:
Paediatric Mortality: Aetiologies and Predictors among Children Aged 1 Month to 15 Years in a Tertiary Hospital in Douala, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Daniele Kedy Koum, Calixte Ida Penda, Laurent Mireille Endale, Henri Essome, Christiana Mpongo Moukongo, Loick Pradel Kojom Foko, Cecile Okalla Ebongue, Diomede Noukeu, Dominique Enyama, Charlotte Eposse, Mbono Rhita, Patricia Epée Eboumbou, Emile Telesphore Mboudou, Paul Koki Ndombo
KEYWORDS:
Children, Young Adolescents, Mortality, Aetiologies, Risk Factors, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.11 No.3,
July
27,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Children and adolescent mortality remains a public
health concern in developing countries. This study aimed to describe risk
factors and aetiologies of mortality among children and young adolescents at a
tertiary hospital in the town of Douala, Cameroon. Methods: We carried
out a retrospective cohort study from January 1st to May 31st,
2019 among deceased patients aged 1 month to 15 years admitted to the
paediatric ward of the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital. Data of
interest were collected and analysed. Results: Out of 3088 children
admitted, 123 death cases were recorded. The overall hospital mortality rate
was 3.98%. Females accounted for 51% of the deceased patients. Fever was the
main reason for consultation. Severe malaria was the most common diagnosis. In
univariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with mortality
included hyperthermia (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.80 - 1.33; p = 0.012), coma/impaired
consciousness (OR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.10 - 0.88; p = 0.029), pneumonia (OR
= 3.95; 95% CI 1.42 - 10.97; p = 0.008), antipyretic
therapy (OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.11 - 0.73; p =
0.009), and no medication (OR = 4.50; 95% CI 1.05 - 9.29; p = 0.043). In
multivariate regression analysis, coma/impaired consciousness was found to be
the only factor associated with mortality (OR = 6.24; 95% CI 1.15 - 33.73; p = 0.034). Conclusion: The present study reveals that most of death cases were due to preventable
causes, especially infectious diseases. Efficient reduction in children and
adolescent mortality could be achieved by adequately addressing these causes.