TITLE:
Mortality of Children in the Intensive Care Unit of the Pediatric University Hospital of Bangui
AUTHORS:
Bogning Mejiozem Brice Olivier, Kombaya Koyangboi Rostand Le Juste, Fanny Diane Fiobeme, Dama-Ngouamou Josiane, Gody Jean Chrysostome
KEYWORDS:
Mortality, Child, Intensive Care Unit, CHUPB
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.13 No.3,
May
19,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, one in 13 children died before their fifth
birthday. Objective: To study mortality among children hospitalized in
the intensive care unit of the CHUPB. Methodology: This was a
retrospective, descriptive study over a 12-month period. Included were children
aged 1 month to 15 years hospitalized in the intensive care unit and who died
during the period. The data were entered and analyzed through the Epi Info
software. The statistical test used was Pearson’s chi2. Results: The
overall mortality rate was 21.49%. The sex ratio was 1.14 and the mean age was
3.17 ± 2.21 years. Children 5 years
of age accounted for 78.49% (n = 197) of cases. Deaths were more frequent in
January, April and December. The mean time to
consultation was 6.91 ± 1.8 days. Fever 78.48% (n = 197), diarrhea/vomiting
35.45% (n = 89) and convulsions 26.29% (n = 66) were the main reasons for
consultation. Prior to admission, treatment was administered in 73.38% (n =
184) of children. The main diagnoses of death were: septic shock 29.08% (n =
73), hypovolemic shock post AEG 17.13% (n = 43), severe malaria 10.76% (n = 27)
and meningitis 6.38% (n = 16). Death was early in 66.53% (n = 167) of cases. It
was influenced by male sex, origin of residence, rural residence, herbal
medicine and the occurrence of deaths during the shifts after 16 hours. Conclusion: Mortality in pediatrics remains a concern in our practice. It is related to
conditions that are mostly preventable by vaccination, information, education
and communication.