Pattern and outcome of childhood admissions in a public tertiary health-care facility in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Periodic evaluations of the pattern of morbidity and mortality are an aspect of health status which can be used in planning improved medical services. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the pattern and outcome of childhood admissions in Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo-State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of the hospital records of children aged 1 month to 17 years, admitted over 1 year (1st of November 2018 – 31st of October 2019). Results: A total of 1043 children were admitted with mean age 55.6 ± 53.5 months. There were 611 (58.6%) males and 432 (41.4%) females, of which 673 (64.5%) were below 5 years of age. The age group and sex distribution of the study population are significantly related (χ2 = 8.852, P = 0.012). Infections accounted for 80.0% of the morbidities, with malaria (45.3%) being the major cause. There were 955 (91.6%) discharges, one (0.1%) transferred out, 19 (1.8%) discharged against medical advice and 68 (6.5%) mortality. The outcome of the patient is significantly related to the age group (χ2 = 13.760, P = 0.032). There were 68 (6.5%) mortality during the study period, of which 55 (80.9%) were under-five children. Malaria with its complications accounted for 33 (48.5%) of the deaths. Fifty (73.5%) of the 68 deaths occurred within 24 h of admission which is not significant (χ2 = 1.734, P = 0.420). Conclusion: Infection remained the major cause of morbidity and mortality for which malaria was the principal aetiology and under-five children mostly affected.